Telephone users with disabilities - Hearing impairment

Telephones - What features do disabled people need?

A moderate loss of hearing function causes problems in many acoustic environments. Hearing aids may be used in many situations but often will not be used when Telephoning because the signal level from the phone is sufficient, particularly when amplification is available. However, there may be difficulties in hearing the phone ring at any distance from it.

Essential Features
Sidetone reduction.	Key feedback - audible.
Ringer pitch adjustable.	Keypad not in handset.
Ringer volume adjustable.
Desirable Features
Coupling to hearing aid.	Additional earphone.
Hearing aid compatability.	Handset - noise excluding.
Receiver amplification.

Disability category links
Hearing impairment - moderate.	Speech impairment - severe.
Hearing impairment - severe.	Limited dexterity.
Deafness.	Limited use of hands/arms.
Visual impairment - moderate.	Weak grip.
Visual impairment - severe.	Hand tremor.
Blindness.	Cognitive impairment.
Deaf-blindness.	Restricted mobility (lower limb).
Speech impairment - moderate.

How disabilities affect telephone use

Users with disabilities - the numbers

User categories and definitions

Telephone Features

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Published by Royal National Institute of the Blind on behalf of PhoneAbility
supported by Department of Trade and Industry and British telecommunications plc