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Hearing Technology Resource Specialist

September 27, 2012

Telephone Options for People with Hearing Loss

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Helpful terminology Land-line phone options Coupling devices Cell phones for people with hearing loss Cell phones for Seniors Captioned phones

Topics for Today

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Hearing Aid Compatible The Telephone Coil (T-COIL) Coupling devices Bluetooth

Helpful Terminology

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A telephone is hearing aid compatible if it contains a telecoil (t-coil) that detects, or is compatible with, a similar t-coil in the hearing aid.

Hearing aid Compatible

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SilhoutteEar BudEar HooksNeckloopHeadphones

Some coupling devices work with a t-coil in the hearing aid.

Coupling Devices

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The t-coil in a hearing aid is a small electromagnetic induction coil (wire).

When two wires are close (phone or coupling device), an electromagnetic field is created.

The hearing aid converts the electromagnetic field to sound.

When using a t-coil, the voice of the person speaking into the microphone is the only sound that is amplified.

The Telephone Coil (T-COIL)

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A radio frequency signal with limited distance – approximately 30 feet.

Provides wireless, hands-free phone/cell phone communication.

It is an encrypted signal which, when paired to a transmitter such as a phone or computer, changes signals frequently to prevent interference with another Bluetooth device.

What is Bluetooth?

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Non Bluetooth Bluetooth

Examples of Cell Phone Connectors

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Speaker phone Adjustable ringer

volume/tone Built in answering

machine Jack for coupling

device Bed shaker

Corded/Cordless Amplification 25-

60dB Volume/Tone

control Hearing aid

compatible Visual ringer alert

Land-line Phone Options for People With Hearing Loss

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Users enjoy natural telephone conversations, and can check the captions for added clarity

Can turn off the captions feature to use it as a traditional telephone

Captions appear nearly simultaneously with the spoken words

Includes an amplified handset and tone control for clarity

Captioned Phones - CapTel

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Phone calls can be made and received, using any phone.

Captions of the call are viewed in the Internet browser window on a computer

Web CapTel

Need compatible Smartphone

Hands free headset

Account with a CapTel provider

Mobile CapTel

Other CapTel

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CapTel 800i

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Dial and receive calls as always 7” display screen with adjustable text Set up phone anywhere in home

with wired or wireless Internet connection

Adjustable ringer or handset volume and frequency

Telecoil loop connection for hearing aids with a telecoil option

Caption Call Phone

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Large screen display Volume control Reduced background noise Bluetooth & Caller ID enabled Pre-programmed No contract M4/T4 Hearing aid compatible Service as low as $14.99/month

Phones With Special Appeal for Seniors - Jitterbug

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Adjustable tone control 2" LCD color display with large, easy-to read

characters High quality speakerphone for hands free

conversations Send and receive SMS text messages One-touch emergency button on back Bluetooth™ wireless technology Loud, vibrating and flashing visual ringers Hearing aid compatible

Phones With Special Appeal for Seniors, Clarity Pal

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Port for coupling devices Apps that make

information otherwise inaccessible, accessible

Face-to-face communication for speech reading

Voice-to-text transcription Video Conferencing

Speaker phone Volume control Vibrating ringer Telecoil compatibility Bluetooth Texting TTY, for those who

prefer it Captioned phone calls

Cell phones as an option for people with hearing loss

In February of 2012, nearly 50% of the population surveyed owned smart phones [android and iPhone]

Only 12% of the people surveyed did not own a cell phone

In 2010, Smartphone shipments surpassed PC shipments

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Facts about cell phone use in the United States

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More than 3 of every 10 American homes (32%) had only wireless telephones during the first half of 2011

Younger people are more likely to live in homes with wireless telephones = 58% for adults aged 25–29

The percentage of adults living in households with only wireless telephones decreased as age increased beyond 35 years: 34% for adults aged 35–44 22% for adults aged 45–64 8% for adults aged 65 and over

Low-income homes and those in poverty are more likely to be wireless-only homes

Based on a survey by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's National Center for Health Statistics

Cell Phones as Only Phone

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Digital wireless telephones sometimes cause interference due to electromagnetic energy emitted by the phone

Federal law requires that a certain percentage of wireless phones manufactured by wireless companies meet or exceed American National Standards Institute (ANSI) standards.

Hearing Aid Compatibility & Wireless Handset Devices

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Hearing aids operate in one of two modes: Acoustic coupling – the cell phone microphone works

with the microphone in the hearing aid Look for: M3 = Handset microphone satisfies ANSI standard M4 = Handset microphone exceeds ANSI

standard Telecoil inductive coupling – only picks up an

electromagnetic signal from the telephone. Look for: T3 = Handset satisfies ANSI standard T4 = Handset exceeds ANSI standard

Determining if the cell phone work with hearing aids or CI

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Packages containing hearing aid-Compatible handsets must:

1. Be explicitly labeled

2. Include detailed information in the package or product manual

3. Post information about hearing aid-compatible handsets on their websites.

Labeling Requirements

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A Part of Michigan’s Assistive Technology Program

Team of trained volunteers Conduct comparison demos for

people with hearing loss Provide training

Hearing Technology Resource Specialists (HTRS)

Phone resources Nonprofits and Associations Government Agencies Local Programs Loan Programs

Possible Funding Sources

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Weitbrecht Communications Reduced rates for Michigan residents for Captel

phone Requires phone service Requires high-speed internet access

Telecommunication Relay Services (TRS) Allow people with hearing and speech disabilities

to place and receive calls No cost to user

Phone Resources

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Audient Alliance Hear Now First Hand Foundation Disabled Children’s Relief Fund The Hike Fund, Inc. Foundation for Sight and Sound-Help

America Hear Program American Association of Retired

Persons(AARP)

Nonprofits and Associations

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Michigan Rehabilitation Services May assist with a portion of cost of hearing aids Hearing loss must be interfering with job

performance or securing job Veterans Administration

May assist with cost of hearing aids/services Must have documented service related hearing

loss

Government Agencies

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Health Centers for Children Speech and Hearing Centers Older Adult Organizations Organizations for Deaf and Hard-of-

Hearing People Religious Organizations Hearing Aid Banks

Local Programs

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Michigan Assistive Technology Loan Fund Low interest loans for hearing aids and other AT Program administered by United Cerebral Palsy of MI A Part of Michigan’s Assistive Technology Program Must be a resident of Michigan

Care Credit Provides no interest loans for hearing aids up to 18 months Interest charged in full if not paid within grace period.

Hearing Aid Dispenser Usually offered only at larger companies Must have good credit history

Loan Programs

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"Being able to make and receive phone calls on my own is empowering and gives me a sense of freedom... and it impacts my sense of self-worth." -- Ann Liming-2012

Final Thought