Cell Phones and Hearing Aids - Part 3

Here's Part One

Here's Part Two

QUESTIONS AND ANSWERS

Q: If I have a hearing aid now, what do I do?

A: Try the phone before you buy. Most analog phones will not cause interference and are a safe bet. Whether you can use a digital phone will often depend on whether you are a telecoil user.

Q: What's a telecoil user to do?

A: Your choices are much more limited at the moment. Loop sets are your friend.

Q: Do most cell phones have volume control?

A: Yes, but you have to check the level. It varies from phone to phone and you may want more of a boost.

Q: A while back, SHHH published a comparison of cellular phones. Will that be done again?

A: Probably not. Things are changing so fast in the industry that the list would be outdated before it could be published. The average shelf life of a new electronic product in Japan is 9 months; in the U.S. it's about 18 months. A good place to check is the Market Monitoring Report, which is commissioned by the Access Board.

Q: Some places won't let you try out a phone so you can be sure the features work. What can you do?

A: That is an issue. The CTIA encourages all companies to let customers try the product. If you are denied the opportunity, ask for the company's Section 255 manager and say "I want a phone I can at least try in the store."

Q: Most of the time when buying a cell phone, you must buy the equipment and service. There is a 30-day return policy for the phone, but not the service, which makes many people hesitate. Can anything be done about this?

A: There is little that can be done because of anti-trust issues.

Q: I go to phone stores, but most don't carry neckloops. How do I get to test them?

A: Ask the provider to get one in the store. If they refuse, ask for the company's Section 255 person and make your request to them.

Q: I found that the AT&T phone worked for me. The main reason is that it's a flip phone. Will this work for others?

A: The flip phones often have a design which puts the antenna 1-2 inches from a hearing aid. This makes them a good bet for many people.

COMMENTS

- There are three different technologies being used for digital phones. GSM is used mostly internationally. A study shows that TDMA worked better for hearing aid users.

- Nextel just joined the CTIA

- Motorola Startac worked well for two people with hearing aids. It has a ringer that you can set to be loud, and you can use both the vibrator and ringer at the same time.

- AT&T stores have neckloops with the phones for you to try them out, and the staff has had training.

- A Nokia cell phone has 14 ringing volumes and vibrates.

RESOURCES:

- Access Wireless (a CTIA website specifically developed for disability-related issues) www.accesswireless.org

- Section 255 or disability managers for companies (many companies have someone whose sole job it is to hear about disability-related issues)

- RERC on Telecommunicatioins Access www.trace.wisc.edu

- Technology Assessment Program http://tap.gallaudet.edu

- Cheryl Heppner, NVRC