Are you talking less frequently on the phone because you don’t hear so well. Hearing loss, over time, can make you feel isolated. Don’t just stop using your phone. It is possible to keep in touch with friends and family.
Communication is The key
With any relationship, communication is the key and the same goes for your phone. Can anything be done to improve the situation?
- You can try accessories such as Bluetooth or headphones if the volume is already turned up. It will make your phone sound better and it could be an inexpensive way to get what you need.
- Have you had a hearing test? Your hearing loss may not be permanent so it’s important to get a quality diagnosis. Simple things including earwax buildup or an ear infection can cause temporary hearing loss.
- Do the voices sound too quiet? Check the phone to make sure that the volume is all the way up.
If you’ve already looked at at the most obvious issues and have ruled them out, it’s time to think about more in depth solutions.
There’s an App For That
Actually, there’s more than one app. There are some pretty cool apps that will get you comfortable being back on your phone.
Some apps turn what the other person says to text you can read. Not all of these apps work perfectly, but they give you some option that could be helpful. Brands to look up include:
- Note, Listen for Deaf
- Hamilton Mobile Cap Tel
- Live Caption
You can’t get all voice to text apps for free but most won’t cost very much.
They Make a Phone For That
You can also buy a landline phone has similar functions as an app. They can amplify the sound on the other end, making it easier to hear. An equalizer makes the high pitched sounds that usually get lost clearer.
You also have the alternative of getting a captioning phone. The captioning service requires a unique phone that has a screen. when you have this service, the words are repeated or typed into software by a third party operator and are then shown on the screen of the phone. You will require the internet to use a captioning service.
Text-to-Voice Teletype (TTY) is a traditional phone system that is still available and works similarly to the captioning phone. However, it does require a separate device to display the text.
Hearing Aids Are The Best Option
It used to be, every time a hearing aid got near a phone, there would be ear piercing feedback, but new hearing aids don’t usually do that. There are hearing aid compatible phones which eliminate background noise and other interference to improve sound quality. Current hearing aid technology is compatible with these phones. Even when you are not using phone these wireless hearing aids still work.
Modern, high quality hearing aids can also have a more cutting edge program that permits them to be compatible with nearly any phone whether it’s a landline or smartphone. The technology works by holding the hearing device up to the phone and streaming the sound from the one to the other.
Bluetooth compatibility is also a normal feature of today’s hearing aid tech. Pairing your hearing aid up with your smart-phone is done exactly the same way as pairing your phone with any other Bluetooth device. When the phone rings, the sound is sent directly to your hearing aids.
Don’t permit hearing loss to wreck your friendships and other relationships. Make up with your phone whatever it takes so you can start talking again. It’s time to make an appointment to check out the newest hearing aid technology.