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It's hard to "reach out and touch someone" when holding, dialing or hearing through a telephone is a constant challenge. For some, even speaking loud enough to be heard is a problem. These physical limitations can lead to frustrating conversations and to feelings of isolation. Fortunately, there are a variety of telephones available to address almost any type of physical need.
With the phones that are available now, there's no need to miss out on a single conversation. The staff at Dynamic-Living.com outline popular telephone features that meet the most common needs:
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Hearing More Clearly
Amplified telephones are the best way to pump up the volume. Most phones offer some amplification in the handset, usually providing 5 to 10 additional decibels (dB). Some of the specialty phones designed for the hearing impaired can offer up to 50dB, or more than 100 times more volume.
As we age, most people lose the higher pitch sounds first, including children's voices and some specific sounds like 's' and other whistling sounds. Phones designed for hearing loss usually offer some form of tone control (tone refers to the pitch of the sound), allowing the user to amplify those tones that will enable them to hear a broader range of sounds. Sometimes when the tone is adjusted properly, an additional volume boost is not needed.
For extreme hearing loss, there are TTY text telephones, complete with a keyboard. Instead of carrying sound, these phones print text. Of course, you can also use instant messaging on your computer or cell phone to have this kind of conversation.
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Getting A Grip
Long conversations can be difficult because your hands tire while holding the handset. Don't overlook products that have been popular in business environments. A headset or speakerphone might be all that's needed. Some portable cordless handsets have speakerphones so you can take it with you. And there are
tabletop speakerphones that also have tremendous amplification and caller id features.
For people with extremely limited hand movements, Dynamic Living offers a
speakerphone with voice-activated answering. The voice activation works only in response to incoming calls. When the telephone rings, a person says 'hello,' and the phone is answered. The discussion then takes place over a speakerphone. The telephone hangs up with the aid of a remote switch that can be touched lightly or a switch that operates by a puff of air.
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Conserving Energy
How many times have you struggled to reach a ringing phone, only to have the caller hang up just as you answer it? Aside from the emotional roller coaster that the sudden adrenaline surge produces, many people put themselves at risk of injury. Keeping a cordless phone by your side is often the perfect solution. Another alternative to the mad dash is an amplified answering machine that has tone control making it easier to distinguish all the words in a message.
If speaking is tiring or difficult for you, there are phones that amplify weak or esophageal voices up to 12 dB. These phones enable the other party to hear you without you straining to be heard.
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Preventing Dialing Disasters
Dialing can be another challenge. Big button keypads are helpful for clumsy fingers or vision loss. Look for big button phones that offer numbers with a more distinct contrast for easier identification.
Reduce dialing errors by using phones with one-touch push button speed dialing, including the Photo Phone where you can insert a picture on the button to help identify the person to be dialed.
Another speed dial option is the Voice Dialer which dials the numbers at a voice command. This product is great for people with arthritis or vision impairment and is also ideal for people who can remember names, but not phone numbers.
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Communities are no longer comprised only of people who live nearby. Friends and relatives often live hundreds of miles away. Specialty telephones help you stay connected to your loved ones. Take the frustration out of these conversations with a phone that's just right for your needs.
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© Copyright 2004
Dynamic Living, Inc.
Dynamic Living Newsletter may only be redistributed in its unedited form. Written permission from the editor must be obtained to reprint or cite the information contained within this newsletter.
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