Hearing loss affects a wide range of individuals of all ages and socioeconomic backgrounds. It can be problematic in daily life; you may find yourself having to urge someone to say things again or even three times. When you’re out and about in a crowded area, it’s possible to lose track of whole discussions.
Calls on your mobile phone may become a challenge because you miss words, sounds get muffled and you don’t receive the advantages of face-to-face exchanges, such as being able to see the other person’s lips move or interpret their body language. However, hearing loss does not have to be a major source of worry in your life because there are several useful devices that will help you. Hearing aid compatible phones are one of these devices.
Are you looking for a hearing aid compatible phone? Choosing the ideal phone for you is determined by many variables, including whether you want a mobile phone or a landline phone or whether you use your phone often or infrequently. Another factor to consider is whether your hearing loss is mild, moderate or severe.
Because technology is constantly evolving, it’s essential to work with an audiologist who can likely offer alternatives for you and perhaps assist you with connecting your mobile phone to your hearing aid. However, it’s also essential you do plenty of research yourself and that you are prepared to check out several phones, trying different models to discover which one works best for you. Here are some useful tips for doing just that.
For Mild Hearing Loss
It is important to consult with your audiologist and schedule an appointment to determine your degree of hearing loss. If you have mild or moderate hearing loss, you may be able to use conventional phones without any additional equipment. While it could be unpleasant to place the receiver to your ear while wearing a hearing aid, it can function quite well and you won’t need to buy a new phone as long as there is no interference.
However, if you find that your hearing aid microphone is picking up any background noise or creating a feedback loop, you should remove your hearing aid and move the handset closer to your ear. If feasible, increasing the volume of the handset may be beneficial. You may also try adjusting the distance between your hearing aid and the phone to see if it eliminates the interference.
If none of these solutions work, you may need to buy a phone with an radio frequency interference rating. These phones will offer considerably greater interference protection, allowing you to use your phone without worrying about static or feedback. While it will not eliminate all background noise, it will remove most of it and enable you to use your phone normally.
For Severe Hearing Loss
If your audiologist has diagnosed you with severe hearing loss, you should invest in a phone designed especially for people with hearing loss. If your hearing aid has a telecoil option, it may be able to assist. This allows your hearing aid to process sound without requiring the use of a microphone. This can significantly enhance the signal-to-noise ratio and remove any feedback you may hear when using the phone.
If this setting isn’t described clearly in the handbook, or if you can’t find it, you should consult with your audiologist. There’s a possibility your hearing aids don’t have this option, in which case you’ll need to get a new phone or update your hearing aids. You should consult with your audiologist beforehand since this may be a long-term investment.
Smartphones
Many individuals nowadays depend on smartphones and tablet devices to do tasks and connect with others. However, much like using a regular phone, utilizing the phone in some circumstances can be difficult. Picking up a phone call, for example, will be difficult since the design of a smartphone will often be uncomfortable while using hearing aids and you may also want to listen to music or view a video while commuting.
Fortunately, modern cell phones and hearing aids have wireless technology such as Bluetooth. This enables you to use your smartphone to answer calls, listen to music and do other audio-related tasks without having to switch to a set of headphones. Your hearing aids will effectively function as Bluetooth-enabled wireless headphones too.
These extra capabilities will make your hearing aids more costly, but they are frequently worth the additional expense, particularly if you rely extensively on your smartphone device. You won’t have to worry about your hearing loss in this instance since the sound can be played straight into your hearing aids, eliminating the necessity for a handset and the risk of interference.
To learn more about hearing aid compatible phones and hearing loss in general, contact Albuquerque Hearing and Balance today at (505) 750-9569.