Deaf people often face the struggle and frustration of finding an efficient way to convey what they want to say and to talk to other people without difficulty. The situation is aggravated even more when the parties are far apart and can only communicate via a telephone.
For a long time, deaf people had hearing friends or assistants to make phone calls for them. Later, they started using a teletypewriter, commonly known as TTY.
This is a device required to be present at both ends, and communication can be transmitted over the phone line by typing messages back and forth, which show up on a screen at the other end.
Fortunately, there is now an abundance of telephones specially designed to be used by deaf people in order to give them more independence. Those phones are not commonly available in local shops but one can order.
But there are even more choices for the deaf. Instead of using the telephone regularly, many of them use e-mail or text messaging extensively. Given that textual communication is becoming popular among people regardless of disabilities, deaf people are much more able to communicate to the hearing people.
Loud phones or amplified phones have been specifically designed for people who are deaf.
Amplified telephones for the deaf amplify the receiver volume in the phone. This is the part of the phone that is held up to the ear to hear during conversations.
The GeemarcAmplipower 50 loud phone has a receiver volume which is adjustable and can reach 60 decibels, making it one of the loudest phones available on the market.
A receiver volume of up to 60 decibels in an amplified telephone is approximately six to seven times louder than a standard phone, making it the ideal extra loud telephone for those who are deaf.
The AmplicomPowerTel 49 Plus phone is one of the most popular on the market. This loud phone for the deaf has a handset volume four to five times louder than a standard phone.
It also has a an extra loud ringing volume of 90 decibels, making the phone ideal for those who are hard of hearing, who struggle to hear the phone ringing in the house.
The Amplicom 49 Plus amplified telephone comes with large buttons so it is also a suitable phone for those who are visually impaired.
In general, there are a number of features to consider when selecting a cell phone for the hearing impaired: Compatibility with hearing aids if they are worn, volume control or additional amplification, cell phone and earpiece design and texting capabilities.
Other important features to consider include video chat/video conferencing capabilities if sign language is used, vibration alerts and clips to avoid missed calls and features to reduce interference such as back light control and neck loops.
When a cell phone and hearing aid are in close proximity, there is possibility of interference; creating a buzzing sound that makes hearing voice on a cell phone difficult, or in some cases, virtually impossible.
However, many cell phones are designated as being compatible with hearing aids.
