Today we will begin talking about hearing aids and phones and how they work together (and how sometimes they do NOT work together as you would like). I will be starting with some basics and we will build as we go.
Regardless of whether or not you wear hearing aids, most people use at least one type of phone almost daily. Hearing on the phone with hearing aids can be frustrating and challenging for someone with hearing loss, it’s true. There are all sorts of strategies and tips and devices to help hearing on different types of phones, and you will find that your hearing really is different on every phone you use. That said, it’s important to talk to your hearing healthcare professional about what kind of phones you use, so that they can be sure to recommend a hearing aid that will do what you need it to do.
First, let’s talk about different types of phones in your home and work environments.
Cellular Phones
Cordless Phones
Home Phone / Land-line
Office / Internet Phone
Amplified Phones
When you go to your hearing testing appointment and explain the difficulties you have with communication, talk about the phone. People have much trouble on the phone because of the reduced frequency ranges, hearing in one ear instead of two, and because they lose all facial cues and contexts. It is extremely frustrating. The amount of phone talking and type of phone you use will greatly effect which hearing aid is selected for you because different aids have different ways of processing sound on the different types of phones.
More to come in Part 2, coming soon!
Until next time,
Dr. Kristin
