hearing impaired phone

The 5 Best Hearing Impaired Telephones


The 5 Best Hearing Impaired Telephones

Hearing impaired telephones are special needs devices designed to assist people who are unable to hear or unable to hear clearly, and provide a means to communicate with others via telephone. 

Just as there are different levels of hearing loss – from mild, moderate, or severe loss, to total deafness - there are several different types of hearing impaired telephones. 

In RehabMart's Top 5 Hearing Impaired Telephones Review, we will evaluate the features, benefits and customer feedback of five of the best phones available, so that you can chose the hearing-impaired telephone that is right for you. 
Who Needs a Hearing-Impaired Telephone?

The short answer is, eventually, everyone. 

Our ears are constantly assaulted by loud noises. From our youthful forays into rock concerts to machinery and workplace noise to genetics, sooner or later, we all struggle to hear and communicate clearly on the telephone. 

Thankfully, in the modern age, we have a multitude of resources to combat hearing loss and continue our essential telephone communications. 

Here are few questions to consider when deciding if the time is right for an amplified or hearing impaired phone:

    Do you often ask friends and family to repeat themselves when you talk to them on the phone?
    Is the volume on your phone set to the highest level?
    Do friends and family remark that the volume setting on your television is loud?
    Does the ancillary noise in restaurants or in social settings make it more difficult for you to hear the person seated next to you?

Are Hearing Impaired Phones Only for the Elderly?

Absolutely not – in fact, the National Institute on Deafness and Communication Disorders reports that more than 10% of people age 20 to 59 have permanently damaged hearing, just from hobbies and living their lives in our noisy world. 

While the percentage of hearing impaired people over the age of 60 jumps to nearly 50%, younger people are certainly not exempt from hearing loss. 
How Do I Know Which Hearing Impaired Phone is Right for Me?

The basic premise of a hearing-impaired telephone is amplification, but there are several types and different levels of telephone amplifiers. 

In addition to boosting the sound and improving the quality of your communication, our Top 5 Hearing Impaired Telephones can filter background noise and make your communication more enjoyable and productive.  

Communication – especially for people with hearing loss – is imperative. 

People who avoid talking to their friends and family on the phone because they don’t want to ask you to repeat yourself or they are self-conscious can become isolated and depressed. 

Our Top 5 Hearing Impaired Telephone Review will evaluate the features and benefits, cost, functionality, usefulness and customer reviews of more than 40 excellent phones, providing you with the information that you need to make the best choice for yourself and your family.
#5 - Clarity Ensemble Amplified Captioned Telephone

The Clarity Ensemble Amplified Captioned Telephone is our number five reviewed hearing impaired telephone, and is designed for people who have severe hearing loss. 

This phone is also an excellent choice for people who have moderate hearing loss because it is versatile enough to meet both current requirements and future auditory needs, should hearing continue to deteriorate.  

Normal speech volume falls in the range of 20 to 50 dB, (decibels).  Just by using the Ensemble - without asking your phone partner to speak in a louder voice – your communications will be amplified up to 50 dB. 

This decibel level is an excellent, mid-range amplification and will meet the needs of most users.  There are four distinct tone settings, so that users can adjust the sound to fit their specific type of hearing loss - meaning, if you hear lower range sounds better than high, tinny sounds, you can set your Ensemble to lower register amplification settings.   

The phone has a touchscreen caption monitor so that you can read the words as they are spoken, allowing you to avoid asking your friends and family to repeat themselves.

In order to use the caption screen, your phone must be connected to ClearCaption, a free, FCC (Federal Communication Commission of the United States) service for hearing impaired users. 

A gentleman who has severe hearing loss rates this product as a five-star phone.  He said that he had not used a phone in two years, when he received the Ensemble as a gift from his son.  He felt like he was “in the world again!” 

He added that he never writes reviews, but he wanted other people to experience the freedom to communicate with their children and grandchildren, like he has with his Ensemble telephone.  

Customers were impressed with the adjustable caption screen.  Many remarked that it allowed them to have an excellent viewing angle with the least possible glare, in most lighting conditions. 

Captions from your conversations can be saved and viewed at a later time (provided your phone is connected to a land-line service and you have to have a reliable high-speed internet connection).

One customer who purchased it for her mother, who is 95, said that it was a great product and the most reasonably priced caption phone that she could find. 

The Ensemble also features a visual prompt to make sure that you don’t miss a call.  When your telephone rings, a light will flash to alert you that you have an incoming call –  ensuring that you will never miss a call from family and friends again. 
Features and Benefits

    Real-time captions so you can listen and read as you talk on the phone
    Generous 8-inch touch screen for reading captions
    Hearing aid-compatible
    One year warranty

Customer Feedback

Customers and their families love the caption feature.  Even older customers who struggle with vision issues say that the font on the Ensemble’s touch screen is large enough for them to see. 

Customers report that although the Ensemble is very economical – it is the least expensive hearing-impaired phone in our Top 5 Review – they do not have to give up the quality and features that are normally only available on more expensive phones. 
Pros:

    Caption font size is adjustable to assist visually impaired
    Least expensive, most economical hearing impaired phone in Top 5 Review
    Sound setting can be customized 
    Light flashes when you have an incoming call

Cons:

    Some customers experienced minor delays with the captions, based on the strength of their internet service
    Customers struggled to correctly connect their phones.  They said that connecting the device is not super simple and if it is not connected properly, the caption only works sporadically 
    Customers say that they wish they did not have to have two telephone lines for the Ensemble to work properly


#4 - Clarity BT914 Amplified Bluetooth Phone

The Clarity BT914 Amplified Bluetooth hearing impaired phone is designed for people who have mild to moderate hearing loss. 

While it is not as versatile regarding levels of hearing deficiency, we chose to include this phone because of its outstanding cordless and Bluetooth technology - the Clarity BT914 is the only hearing impaired phone in our Top 5 Review that has hands-free Bluetooth capabilities and is also hearing aid-compatible.

This cordless, hands-free, hearing-impaired phone works well with land-lines, but can be easily paired with your Bluetooth enabled cell phone for conversations on-the-go.  The advanced technology that provides crystal clear quality while sitting next to the handset also allows you to use the this phone with the same exceptional clarity in your backyard, sitting under an oak tree.

One customer purchased the Clarity BT914 as a gift for a neighbor who struggled to hear on the phone, and said her friend loves the phone. The two women are able to check in multiple times each day, and the customer added that they are consistently able to hear each other perfectly. 

Another user who purchased a set of five phones for his home said they are the best phone on the market for the price. 

The BT914 is considered to be a moderately priced phone. Hearing impaired telephones range in price from slightly less than $100 to literally thousands of dollars, so this phone is very reasonably priced, especially when one considers all of the useful features. 

Several customers who served in the military left five-star reviews for this phone. One gentleman said that the phone is "outstanding" – even without his hearing aid.  He added that he hears “one-hundred percent” while on the phone with his hearing aid in. 

This powerful phone is compact – it is the smallest phone in our Top 5 Review.  The BT914 is compatible with expansion up to five separate handsets, so you can have hearing impaired phones in many different rooms throughout your home. 
Features and Benefits

    Bluetooth capable
    Ten different ringtones, can be customized
    40 decibel amplification
    Caller identification screen
    Telephone answering machine

Customer Feedback

Customers love the display screen, and many comment that it helps to have a visual aid and caller identification. 

A woman who purchased this phone for her mother said that they are both thrilled to be able to chat on the phone again without the frustration of constantly being asked to repeat herself.  She added that she has tried other hearing-impaired devices and this one has a louder ring tone and works better than any other.  

Another customer praised the BT914 for having large buttons, to make dialing the phone "easier and less stressful".
Pros:

    Customers love the headset feature, they like having their hands free
    Light flashes when you have an incoming call
    Adjustable tone control

Cons:

    Some customers felt that the answering machine playback was difficult to understand
    Not recommended for customers with severe hearing loss


#3 – Geemarc Hearing Impaired Emergency Telephone

Our number three hearing impaired telephone is the Geemarc Hearing Impaired Emergency Telephone.  This unique phone also acts as an emergency alert communication and is specifically designed for people with severe hearing loss who may live alone.

The phone stores six emergency numbers for speed and ease of contact, in addition to featuring a large emergency button and a battery-operated, waterproof wrist remote control that can also be attached to a neck lanyard. 

Geemarc is the only hearing impaired phone that also acts as a medical alert system, notifying the person of your choice that you are in an emergency situation. 

This exceptional hearing impaired phone allows you and your loved ones the peace of mind of knowing that if anything happens, you can call them with the push of a button – without the cost of a monthly monitoring fee.   

The phone allows you to pre-record an outgoing SOS message to six of your closest family members or friends.  With a push of your emergency button, the calls will be made automatically to the people that you have chosen as emergency contacts.  Geemarc suggests that the emergency feature not be used to contact the authorities or medical facilities, only friends and relatives. 

The phone will automatically dial your selected emergency contact every 30 seconds, for two cycles, before moving on to the next contact. 

Customers appreciate the fact that this phone can be mounted on the wall or used as a desk-type phone, and with more than 31 five-star evaluations from certified users, this emergency phone earned its spot on our Top 5 Review. 

A recent customer purchased this phone for his wife.  Her face, he said, lit up like a Christmas tree.  The emergency feature was the most important issue for him – he said that it is what sold him on the phone.  He added that it gives them both great peace of mind when they have to be apart for short periods of time.  

Another customer said this phone has "given her mother back to her". Neither woman ever has to repeat herself or deal with the other saying “WHAT?,” or asking why the other is whispering.
Features and Benefits

    50+ decibel amplification
    Peace of mind – emergency contact auto-dial
    Remote audio monitoring
    Strobe flash visual aid and vibrating aid for incoming calls
    Hearing aid-compatible

Customer Feedback

A woman purchased the Geemarc for her father, who she says is nearly deaf. At 81 years old, she doubted that he could operate a technologically enhanced phone - but after reading the reviews, she bought it for him. 

She said that the speaker function has been a "lifesaver", and her father had no trouble learning how to use the emergency phone.  She added that he never shared his feeling of isolation, until after he got the phone and was able to communicate with her and with his friends. 
Pros:

    11 one-touch memory keys for stored phone numbers
    Caller identification
    Tone volume control
    Super loud 95 decibel ringer with visual and vibration aid functions

Cons:

    Customers report that the handset can be slippery and tricky to put back on the base after use
    Some customers felt that the Geemarc amplified incoming calls too much, they felt that they were being shouted at.


#2 – Clarity JV35W Amplified Talking Telephone with Braille

Sliding into the number two spot in our Top 5 Review is the only hearing impaired phone with specific features for people who are also visually impaired.  The Clarity JV35W Amplified Talking Telephone with Braille is a great choice for people who struggle with moderate hearing and even vision loss.

This unique phone has large, high-contrast keys with raised dots representing letters and numbers, as well as a one-touch repeat dial function. Customers can pre-set up to ten memory speed-dial phone numbers to call for emergency help with the push of one button.

The JV35W is durable and reliable, built to the highest standards for years of use. It is quick and easy to install, and versatile enough to serve people with multiple special needs. 

It also has a unique talk-back feature, where the phone verbally confirms each button that you push.

Reviews from customers and certified users were consistently excellent.  The clear majority of the evaluations were from people who were visually impaired and hearing impaired, so the JV35W is the clear choice for customers who need a more versatile special needs telephone. 

Customers love the design aesthetic of this phone.  A gentleman in Florida said that he loves the stark white phone with large black numbers, and that the contrast makes it easier to use. 

He detailed his experience with the talk-back feature, saying he dials the wrong number less frequently because the phone tells him the numbers as he pushes them.  He highly recommends the phone’s loud ringer and flashing visual cue, says he never misses a call.

An evaluation from the daughter of a woman who suffers from hearing and visual impairment as well as dementia was quite thorough.  Her mother could not see or hear her standard telephone.  She often became alarmed when she could not reach her mom.  This customer said the large black, Braille numbers and the convenient volume button have helped her mother immensely. 

The phone, she says, has given her peace of mind.
Features and Benefits

    Amplifies up to 40 decibels
    Visual ringer
    Desk or wall mount
    Hearing aid-compatible
    Battery back-up

Customer Feedback

A gentleman received this phone as a gift from his wife.  He swears that he hears just fine – but his wife reports that his ‘selective hearing’ problem has disappeared since she gave him the phone.  He said that he appreciates the loud ringer, but finds it difficult to ignore, and now answers the phone more often.

An 87-year-old certified user said that after three months of use, the JV35W has changed his life.  Thanks to this phone, he now talks to his daughter and granddaughter every day. He loves the large dial pad, he said that he can see all of the numbers again.   
Pros:

    Adjustable volume control
    Adjustable tone control
    Super loud 95+ decibel ringer
    Large buttons, extreme color contrast to for ease of use

Cons:

    No speakerphone function
    Some customers said that they wish the phone’s memory redial button was larger
    Many customers had to set up the phone for their elderly parents.  They said that it was tricky to program the memory dial function


#1 – The Ultratec Uniphone 1140 TTY

The Ultratec Uniphone 1140 TTY is our number one hearing impaired telephone. We recommend this phone for its full TTY capabilities as well as the myriad of features that will allow this phone to continue to provide for your distinct requirements, should your hearing continue to deteriorate.

This phone is sleek and attractive – it packs of lot of unique benefits into a one-pound, 8” x 7” base!   It features a bright display with a backlit screen and an exceptionally comfortable keyboard for typing out your conversations. 

Even customers with fairly normal hearing may need visual cues (like the closed caption feature on the 1140) to fully comprehend words or speech they may not have heard correctly. 

The VCO (voice carry over) feature, allows your loved ones who are severely hearing-impaired to speak to you and read your typed response.

VCO solves numerous communication issues. In addition to serving the hearing-impaired, it also allows people who have speech impediments or cannot speak clearly to make HCO (hearing carry over) calls so that they can converse with their family and friends. 

The unique diversity of this phone cements its spot in the number one position.  Nearly all of the customers surveyed said that they cannot recommend the Uniphone 1140 highly enough, and would give it ten stars if they were allowed. They insist that it has changed their lives and allows them to communicate more fully with their family and friends. 

Legendary durability is the leading comment from certified users – a customer in St. Louis said that she has had her phone for more than ten years and it still works and looks great.  She said it was the best money she has ever spent on special needs equipment, and it has greatly improved her quality of life. 

Written or typed conversations can be stored in the phone’s generous 8k memory, to be read or reread at your leisure.  This feature is important if the conversations include instructions or medical information that may need to be retained for future use.  
Features and Benefits

    A/C adapter and 9-volt battery backup
    One-touch keys for speed and ease of use
    Auto-answer with programmable outgoing message
    Handset amplifies 20+ decibels
    10 speed-dial buttons
    Printer port, external printer capability

Customer Feedback

Customer evaluations consistently rate this phone at five-stars.  They say that their Uniphone 1140 is a great telephone, but the additional features like the amplified handset and the TTY, VCO, HCO and printer connectivity features really elevate it above other hearing and sight-impaired devices. 

A customer who owns a small business has several special needs employees.  He purchased four of the Uniphone 1140 series phones, and he said that he has finally found a phone that works for everyone in the office.  The Turbo-code technology allows conversations to take place instantly in real-time, with no delay. 
Pros:

    Easy to set up, very detailed instructions
    Direct connect, no additional accessories needed for use
    Hearing aid compatible
    TTY messages can be saved and reread at your convenience
    8k memory for stored communications

Cons:

    The Uniphone 1140 is the most expensive hearing-impaired phone in our Top 5 Review

Hearing Impaired Telephone Buying Guide

Hearing impaired telephones are essential equipment for people who cannot communicate with a standard telephone. Studies conducted by the National Association for the Deaf and the American Speech – Language – Hearing Association consistently demonstrate that reduced communication due to hearing loss, even mild hearing loss, can be devastating and isolating for a person.  They recommend amplified phones and even list state programs and resources that may assist with the purchase of the phone.

After a comprehensive comparison of the features, benefits, price and reviews of more than 40 hearing impaired telephones, the Ultratec Uniphone 1140 TTY is our number one choice. 

While we considered a number of important factors, the myriad of reviews that detailed the versatility and well-constructed longevity of this phone cemented its place as the number one phone for any user. 

The Uniphone 1140 performs exceptionally well for all certified users.  Its abilities as an amplified phone and closed caption device - coupled with the voice carry over and hearing carry over features - are unrivaled among competitors. 

This phone has the exceptional ability to serve your current needs and grow with you, should you continue to experience additional hearing loss and visual impairment. 

The phone is a great choice not only for personal use, but it also works very well for commercial applications in businesses offices, retirement homes or rehabilitation centers.  Customers routinely praise the Uniphone 1140 for its toughness and long-life. 

This is the perfect phone for people who need the convenience and additional level of safe communication for mild to moderate hearing impairment – but also for customers who are experiencing deafness, speech imperfections and impediments and need a phone that will allow them to read and store written communications.   

Rehabmart offers a variety of hearing impaired telephones to fit virtually everyone who has disabilities, hearing and visual impairments, or limited communication abilities. 

Want to learn even more? Find dozens of videos featuring products and caregiver tips like these at Rehabmart’s YouTube channel!

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Top 10 Products in the Hearing Impaired Telephones Category:

Clarity AltoPlus Amplified Corded Phone
Clarity AltoPlus Amplified Corded Phone
$175.32
Future Call Photo Key Amplified Phone
Future Call Photo Key Amplified Phone
$57.42
Clarity Ensemble Amplified Captioned Telephone
Clarity Ensemble Amplified Captioned Telephone
$79.10
AmpliPower 60 Amplified Hearing Impaired Telephone
AmpliPower 60 Amplified Hearing Impaired Telephone
$121.67
Serene High-Definition Amplified Phone for the Hearing Impaired
Serene High-Definition Amplified Phone for the Hearing Impaired
$150.45
Serene Innovations Amplified Photo Phones
Serene Innovations Amplified Photo Phones
$86.13
Serene Innovations CL-60 Amplified Phone Series
Serene Innovations CL-60 Amplified Phone Series
$153.39
Clarity CL-D704 Amplified Cordless Phone
Clarity CL-D704 Amplified Cordless Phone
$94.82
Amplified Corded Speakerphone for the Hard of Hearing
Amplified Corded Speakerphone for the Hard of Hearing
$179.24
Serene HD-65 Amplified Telephone
Serene HD-65 Amplified Telephone
$212.78
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