Developed by Steve Barber, SHHH Wake Chapter, Raleigh, NC Telephone Technology Tips and Tricks For Hard of Hearing People This presentation may be freely.

Developed by Steve Barber, SHHH Wake Chapter, Raleigh, NC

Telephone Technology Tips and Tricks

For Hard of Hearing People

This presentation may be freely used by any SHHH Chapters. It’s available for download from www.nchearingloss.org/programs.htm


Our ability to use the phone is important!We have many different needs.There are many different resources.It's up to us to understand.

Our needs. The resources. How to satisfy our needs with those resources.

It's Up To You!

Disclaimer: Everyone's hearing loss is different; what worksfor some may not work for others.


Lots of Things to Cover

Types of PhonesOur NeedsIncreased Volume/Adjustable FrequencyUseful User InterfacesTTY and RelayOther Tools and TricksCommunications StrategiesHardware SummaryWhere to Find Resources


Types of Phones and Related Things

Hard Wired PhonesPortable PhonesCellular PhonesVOIP (Voice Over Internet Protocol)CapTelOther

TTYs VCO Computers/Pagers FAX Machines VRUs, Caller-ID, Multi-Line, Answering Machines, Relay


Hard Wired Phones

Network

The Phone Company Network connects one phone with another via physical wires.

The transmission is full duplex analog.

The network can multiplex many conversations onto a single wire.

The signal can carry voice and special tones.


Portable Phones

Network

The two parties still use the phone company's network

Either party may have a portable phone that operates as a remote from the base instrument.

Some Features of Portables 900 MHz, 2.4 GHz, 5.8 GHz Multi-Channel Spread Spectrum HAC (T-coil) Volume Control Call Waiting


Cellular Phones

Cellular Phones use radioLimited coverageExpensiveCommunicate with other cellular phones.Communicate with phones using hardwired networks.

Network


Other "Phones"

TTYsPagers 2-Way Pagers with keyboardsFax machinesInternet "phones"Internet "chat"Video Phones


Common Problems with Phonesfor People with Hearing Loss

Interference with hearing aids or telecoils

Newer Remote PhonesMostly with GSM Cell PhonesUsually worse with older hearing aids

Insufficient VolumeInsufficient Hearing Aid CompatibilityInsufficient Ringer VolumeRinger Frequency too HighCan’t Hear Well in Background Noise


Technical Things That Can Help

More VolumeFrequency AdjustmentsBetter User InterfaceChoose right Cell Phone ProtocolUse Hands Free Interface to Hearing AidsOther (Ring, Flash, CallerID, Auto Reset)


Improving Volume and Frequency

AmplificationStrap-on, In-Line, Built-in2 or 3 position or SliderUp to 30 or even 40 dB BoostSome strap-ons also provide T-Coil

Frequency AdjustmentUsually to increase high frequenciesUsually a slider but sometimes some presets

Usually on better In-Line amplifiers and on Special phones for HoH


Better User Interface

Better Speaker in the ear pieceHearing Aid Compatible (HAC)Special Phones Let You Plug in

Neck Loop Silhouette DAI Head Phones

Hands Free Sets HATIS, Nokia, etcHome-Made hand-free set to patch to ALD

(cut ear bud off hands free set; solder on female miniplug)

Speaker Phone


If You’ve got 216-217 MHz ALD

Using Handimic, Smartlink, Lexis, or other 216-217 MHz Booted/Integrated FM?

Check out the Phonak Telcom Plugs into your home phone wall outlet Plugs into your TV Automatically switches between them as needed Hear ANY wired or remote phone in the house Clean signal without interference

Expensive, but You’ll Never need another Special Phone


More on the User Interface

HAC is a Phone Feature Requires a Telecoil (T-Coil) in hearing aid Varies widely in strength and effectiveness Pumps signal directly into your hearing aid

(magnetically) Allows you to turn off microphone (sometimes

optional)

Plug or adaptor (for other interface) Allows you to use neckloop, DAI or silhouette Avoids background noise Allows signal to go to both ears


Other Technical Features of Interest

Adjustable Ringer (volume and frequency)Flashing light to show ringAuto reset to normalCallerID (requires a fee service)Tone Display Memory and AutodialLarge numbersMulti-Frequency (remote phones)900 Mhz (remote phones)


Special Phone Stuff Just for HoH

Special Phones for HoH People AmeriPhone Williams Vtech Motorola AT&T

Add on AmplifiersAmeriPhoneHello Direct


Cellular Phones

Some Cell Phones Interfere withHearing Aid Itself or the TelecoilDepends on Hearing Aid, tooTry before you buyCDMA (Verizon or Sprint) usually least interference

GSM (usually the most interference)May not be compatible with ASCII or Baudot


CapTel Phones

CapTel is a Captioned TelephoneWorks Similar to Relay but

Supports Voice Carry-OverAutomatically Connects to CapTel OperatorsUses Speech Recognition to Help OperatorWith 2 Lines, Now Auto Connects Outbound Calls

Now supports CallerIDLimited Availability

Some StatesFederal workers, retirees, veterans, native tribes

See www.ultratec.com


VOIP Phones

Home Phone alternativeVoice Over Internet ProtocolMust Have High-Speed InternetConnects Through Modem, not Phone SystemUnlimited Calls for Fixed Monthly FeeMay Not Support 911Doesn’t Work if Power is Out


CapTelTTY (TTY <><><><><><><><><><><><><><><>TTY)Relay (TTY <><><><><><>Relay<><><><><><><>Phone)VCO (TTY or VCO Phone <><>Relay<><><><><>Phone)2-Line VCO (Phone <><><><><><><>Phone) (VCO or TTY on 2nd Line <><><><>Relay) Computer Instant Messaging or ChatTwo Way PagersVideo Phone

When Hearing is Not Enough


Phone Communication Strategies

Know Who's Calling (CallerID or ask)Make Sure You Know the Subject Don't Hide Your Hearing Loss or BluffPut the Other Person At EaseAsk for Repeats as neededAsk for Rephrase if Repeats Don't HelpAsk for "Spell Out" (Charlie, Alpha Tango)Ask for "Count Up" for NumbersConfirm and ask for "Yes/No"


Phone Communication Strategies (continued)

Ask for Partial ConfirmationsUse the "As In" StrategyAsk the Other Person to Speak SlowlyAsk if the Other Person has a Better Phone Ask for Another PersonAvoid Voice Response UnitsUse Your Answering Machine or Service


Catalogs Harris Communications Hello Direct Hear More Potomac SoundClarity

Yellow Pages Radio Shack Private Businesses

Internet (search Google)SHHH Convention Vendor AreaEquipment Distribution Program

Finding Things


Conclusion

The Phone is too Important to IgnoreLots of Ways We Can Continue to Use the PhoneYou Don't Need to Let a Little Thing Like

Hearing Loss

Get in Your Way!

Developed by Steve Barber, SHHH Wake Chapter, Raleigh, NC Telephone Technology Tips and Tricks For Hard of Hearing People This presentation may be freely.

Documents

shhh wake chapter

steve barber

remote phones slide

nc types of phones

nc portable phones network

special phone slide

network slide

hoh special phones