How to use the phone | What type of phone | Pros | Cons | Costs |
Simply hold the phone to the microphone on our processor and hear the caller | - Landline - Switchboard - Mobile/Cell | - Quick answering - No fiddling with switches or cords | - Not always the clearest sound - Can be difficult to hold the phone over the processor microphone all the time - Can bump off the processor - Sound going on around you may interfere with ability to hear | - No cost |
- Switch to tswitch which often gives us clearer sound | - Most phones of all kinds have tswitch capability but test them first | - Usually easy to switch to tswitch - Sounds is usually much clearer - Background noise can be cut out | - You may not be able to hear sounds going on around you – ie someone issuing you instructions to tell your caller - Can bump off the processor | - No cost |
- Use a loud speaker phone | - Many phones have loudspeaker capability, find out before buying | - Can control the volume - Easy to use - No need to hold speaker over your processor - Great if you have to wait in a queue - Can put the phone down and use a computer or write at the same time | - May disturb others - Lack of privacy - Sometimes distortion occurs | - No additional cost |
Plug in a tswitch extension which hooks over the ear near to the processor. | - Phones with a headphone socket – check the socket size - Cordless phones (landline) - Mobile | - Cuts out buzzing which is often present when holding hands free phones near the processor - Plus all tswitch pros (2) above - Can put phone down | - Can’t see where the hook picks up the sound best - The hook can fall off your ear - Cords are a nuisance | - Around $89 - available from places like Word of Mouth technology |
- Plug in Cochlear’s audio cord from processor to phone. | - A phone which allows you to use the phone’s microphone. - Cordless phones with a headphone socket – check the socket size - Mobile phones with this capability tell you this when you plug the cord in | - No buzzing - Cords cannot fall off - Direct connection gives extremely clear sound - Can cut out background sound | - Can’t plug it in quickly - May not hear people around you - Some processor need programming to pick the accessory up each time you plug it in | - $80+ |
A Telstra Cochlear Implant adaptor. | - For use with land lines. it plugs between the handset and the phone and into your processor. | - With direct sound you get excellent quality, plus you use the phone microphone to speak | - Takes time to plug in so can’t answer a phone quickly - May not hear background noise - Processor may need to be programmed to pick up the accessory | - Free when approved by your audiologist |
- Many video applications are now available on mobile and Computers | - Mobile - Computer | - Helps understanding with lip reading and seeing body language - Option: Can use any cord with the video call to help with understanding | - Video may not sync with sound - Video can stall and pixelate | - Skype is free - Download charges for video calls may apply to mobile phones |
The Captel captioned phone offers additional help to those who still may not hear clearly enough | - Captel phone only | - Excellent captioning - Helps with understanding | - Need fast broadband connection and free phone line - Currently not available in the evenings and on weekends | - Currently under trial in Australia - Available in USA |
- Then there are a range of Bluetooth type devices which transmit the sound wirelessly to your processor. | - All phones which have Bluetooth connectivity | - Wireless connection - No fiddling with cords - Uses tswitch | - Rechargeable batteries 6 hr life - Batteries may die at inappropriate times - Have to wear/have the dongle handy at all times | - $299 |