Telephone Options for People with Hearing Loss

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 Non Bluetooth • Bluetooth

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

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

12. CapTel 800i

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/T4Hearing 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 Port for coupling devices Apps that make information otherwise inaccessible, accessible Face-to-face communication for speech reading Voice-to-text transcription Video Conferencing • Speaker phone • Volume control • Vibrating ringer • Telecoil compatibility • Bluetooth • Texting • TTY, for those who prefer it • Captioned phone calls

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