1. Telephone Options for People with Hearing Loss
Hearing Technology Resource Specialist
September 27, 2012

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

3. Helpful Terminology Hearing Aid Compatible The Telephone Coil (T-COIL)
Coupling devices
Bluetooth

4. Hearing aid Compatible
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.

5. Coupling Devices
Some coupling devices work with a t-coil in the hearing aid.
Headphones
Neckloop
Ear Hooks
Ear Bud
Silhoutte

6. The Telephone Coil (T-COIL)
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.

7. What is Bluetooth?
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.

8. Examples of Cell Phone Connectors
Bluetooth
Non Bluetooth

9. Land-line Phone Options for People With Hearing Loss
Corded/Cordless
Amplification 25-60dB
Volume/Tone control
Hearing aid compatible
Visual ringer alert
Speaker phone
Adjustable ringer volume/tone
Built in answering machine
Jack for coupling device
Bed shaker

10. Captioned Phones - CapTel
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

11. Other CapTel Web CapTel Mobile CapTel Need compatible Smartphone
Hands free headset
Account with a CapTel provider
Phone calls can be made and received, using any phone.
Captions of the call are viewed in the Internet browser window on a computer

12. CapTel 800i
Woman on phone with “people calling you simply dial your number directly” arrow to phoneline 1 with “direct call”. Arrow from phone line1 to “Your CapTel 800i Phone”. Arrow from CapTel Phone to “high speed internet”. Arrow from high speed internet with “Automatic Connection to Captioning Service” and woman with headset and “captioning Service”. Arrow from woman back to the high speed internet and then to the phone.

13. Caption Call Phone 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

14. Phones With Special Appeal for Seniors - Jitterbug
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

15. Phones With Special Appeal for Seniors, Clarity Pal
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

16. Cell phones as an option for people with hearing loss
Speaker phone
Volume control
Vibrating ringer
Telecoil compatibility
Bluetooth
Texting
TTY, for those who prefer it
Captioned phone calls
Port for coupling devices
Apps that make information otherwise inaccessible, accessible
Face-to-face communication for speech reading
Voice-to-text transcription
Video Conferencing

17. Facts about cell phone use in the United States
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

18. Cell Phones as Only Phone
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

19. Hearing Aid Compatibility & Wireless Handset Devices
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.

20. Determining if the cell phone work with hearing aids or CI
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

21. Labeling Requirements
Packages containing hearing aid-Compatible handsets must:
Be explicitly labeled
Include detailed information in the package or product manual
Post information about hearing aid-compatible handsets on their websites.

22. Hearing Technology Resource Specialists (HTRS)
A Part of Michigan’s Assistive Technology Program
Team of trained volunteers
Conduct comparison demos for people with hearing loss
Provide training

23. Possible Funding Sources
Phone resources
Nonprofits and Associations
Government Agencies
Local Programs
Loan Programs

24. Phone Resources 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

25. Nonprofits and Associations
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)

26. Government Agencies 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

27. Local Programs Health Centers for Children Speech and Hearing Centers
Older Adult Organizations
Organizations for Deaf and Hard-of-Hearing People
Religious Organizations
Hearing Aid Banks

28. Loan Programs 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

29. Final Thought
"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