Amplified Phones and Phone Settings for Hearing Loss

Why the phone is hard

• Missing visual clues: no face, lips or gestures to help.
• Narrow sound: phones squeeze the frequency range, and the high-pitched sounds that carry consonants are weakest.
• Noise: background noise at either end.
• Soft or distorted voices, poor networks, echo or speaker phone problems.
• Fiddly controls: small screens and touchscreens are hard for arthritic or shaky fingers and poor eyesight.
• Ringer too quiet or too high-pitched: high tones are hard to hear.
• Hearing aid problems: feedback when the phone is held close to the aid.

Types of phones and options

Amplified landline phones. Designed with a volume boost, often 30 to 40 decibels or more, plus tone (treble) adjustment, a loud, low-pitched ringer, a flashing light for incoming calls, large buttons and sometimes a speakerphone. Many have picture buttons for speed dial. They work on a fixed line or a fixed wireless link, and some need mains power, so check what happens in a power cut.

Amplified mobile phones. Simple phones with large keys, strong speakers, hearing-aid-compatible ratings, a loud ringer and vibration, often with an emergency button. They avoid complex menus.

Standard smartphones. With the right settings, many smartphones are very accessible, offering volume boosters, audio balance, hearing aid support, live captions, text messaging, video calls and voice assistants. They need setting up, and may have small touchscreens. See phone accessibility features for hearing and vision loss.

Captioned telephones. In some countries, services display a text transcript of the other person's speech on a screen. Availability in India is limited; check what is available.

Text and video options: messaging apps, voice-to-text and video calls, with captions where available, let a person with hearing loss communicate without relying on sound alone.

Headsets and neckloops. A headset can improve the signal and block noise. A neckloop or a cord that connects the phone to hearing aids can stream the call into both ears; ask the audiologist.

Features to look for

• Adjustable volume with a high maximum, and a clear way to boost it during a call, ideally a big button or slider.
• Tone control to boost high frequencies, since most age-related loss affects high pitches.
• Loud, low-pitched ringer with several tone options, and a vibrating or flashing alert.
• Hearing aid compatibility: look for a rating that indicates low interference with hearing aids (many phones carry a rating), and a telecoil (T) mode for aids with a telecoil. Ask the audiologist which models and settings work with your parent's aids.
• Speakerphone with good clarity and volume.
• Large, high-contrast buttons and display, and a backlit keypad.
• Speed dial with photos for key contacts.
• Answering machine or voicemail with visual or text transcription.
• Emergency button or one-touch call to family or emergency services.
• Corded handset option for reliability during power cuts, or a battery-powered handset.
• Simple menus.
• Warranty and service.

Costs vary widely; prefer a reputable maker and try the phone with your parent before buying.

Settings that help (on most phones)

Features vary by phone, so ask a family member or the shop to set them up:

• Raise the ringer and call volume, and choose a lower-pitched ring.
• Turn on vibration and flash alerts so that the phone signals visually.
• Use speakerphone or a headset where helpful.
• Adjust audio balance or turn on mono audio if hearing is poorer in one ear.
• Use hearing aid mode or compatibility settings, and pair hearing aids directly if the phone and the aids support it.
• Turn on live captions for calls, videos and voice messages, where available.
• Use text messaging and voice messages as alternatives to calls.
• Make the screen readable: larger text, bold text and high contrast; see phone accessibility features for hearing and vision loss.
• Save key numbers with names and photos: family, doctor, pharmacy, ambulance 112.
• Switch on noise cancellation if available.
• Turn on call announcements so the phone says who is calling, if vision is poor.
• Keep the phone charged, with a charging stand beside the chair. Use a power bank during power cuts.

Using hearing aids with phones

• Direct streaming: many modern hearing aids connect to a smartphone by wireless link, and the call plays in both aids, with your own voice picked up by the aids' or the phone's microphone.
• Telecoil: some aids have a telecoil that picks up the magnetic signal from a compatible phone or loop; the audiologist can set the programme.
• Acoustic coupling: holding the phone against the aid can cause whistling; try different positions, such as with the phone's speaker over the microphone of the aid, or use speakerphone.
• Avoid pressing the phone hard against the ear with in-the-ear aids.
• Ask the audiologist to set up a phone programme in the aids.

See hearing aids: types, costs and how to choose and hearing aid care, batteries and troubleshooting.

Making calls easier: habits for everyone

• Callers should speak clearly and slowly, say who is calling, and not shout.
• Use video calls with good lighting so your parent can see your face; see talking with someone who is hard of hearing.
• Confirm important details by text or voice message: times, addresses, medicines, appointments.
• Reduce noise on both ends: switch off the television, close the door, move away from fans.
• Use the same time each day for regular calls, so that the person is ready.
• Hold the phone properly, with the speaker over the ear, and in a quiet room.
• Do not hang up in frustration. Rephrase and be patient.
• Offer to send a short text after a call with the main points.

Safety and scams

People with hearing loss are targets for phone scams because they may guess answers, be afraid to say "I did not hear" or be hurried into decisions.

• Never share one-time passwords, bank details or Aadhaar details over the phone.
• Hang up and call back on a number you know if anyone asks for money or personal data.
• Tell them it is fine to say "I cannot hear you, I will call back."
• Do not make decisions on a call; ask for written information.
• Install call-blocking if available, and keep a list of trusted numbers.
• Teach the family code word for emergencies.

See preventing scams and doorstep fraud.

Emergency calling

Make sure your parent knows how to call 112, and that the number is on speed dial or an emergency button. If speech is hard to follow, a family member nearby or a text option may help. Keep the address written near the phone. Consider an alert pendant or other safety devices; see panic pendant buying guide and how an emergency alert system works. Flashing alerts for the doorbell and smoke alarms add safety; see smoke and gas safety for older adults.

If eyesight is also poor

A phone with large, tactile buttons, a talking caller ID and voice dialling helps. See hearing and vision loss together: practical support and phone and remote aids for arthritis.

When to ask a professional

Ask an audiologist to test hearing and set up phone programmes in hearing aids. Ask an ENT doctor about ear symptoms or sudden changes in hearing. Ask a family member or a shop to set up phone features. Seek urgent care for sudden hearing loss, dizziness or weakness, and call 112 for signs of stroke.