Cheap landline phone suitable for hearing impaired?

bluedog

I'm sure this must have been asked before, but I haven't found anything in searches.

My landline has just given up on me and I desperately need to find a replacement as I'm stuck at home on my own whilst recovering from major surgery - great timing!!

I need one with a volume control for ringinging (preferably loud/higher pitched tone) and ear piece volume as I'm hearing impaired. I'd prefer a digital cordless phone, but speed of delivery is also important in the circumstances.

If anyone has any recommendations or suggestions I'll be very very grateful please.

Savvy_Sue

Might be worth searching this thread, which is long and comprehensive, but also this one, which specifically asks about a phone.

In an ideal world you'd find a local disability living centre where you could try a few out, google that plus your local area, but failing that it's worth bearing in mind that RNID has a money back guarantee if what you've bought doesn't do what you need, and so does Connevans.

Savvy_Sue

sorry just read your post properly and see that you're stuck at home. Haven't ordered from Connevans but RNID has always arrived promptly for me! If you have a personal shopper, there are some phones with extra volume available on shop shelves, eg if you have a local BT shop.

Mrs_Ryan

Oh, my Mum and Dad have a digital cordless phone with loud ring and amplifier etc as Dad is extremely hard of hearing. Will find out for you which one they have and report back.

bluedog

I now have a phone and wish to thank you for the help given. The information on the thread (and various websites posted) was invaluable help so fingers crossed. My budget wouldn't stretch to the prices of some of them on the sites, but I've found a refurbished BT Stratus 1500 with answer machine (has 30 day warranty) on Ebay that will hopefully work for me and should be getting cashback too :T .

It has volume controls on the handset, base and earpiece, a selection of ringer melodies and can do texts - poor woman's textphone :rotfl:. I've read favourable customer reviews about it on several websites and settled on this as the best option for me as the technology is supposed to give crystal clear sound. The original rrp was in excess of £80 according to some sites I looked at so at £15 I'm hoping I've made a good choice. I'm sure it will re-sell at a very similar price if I find it doesn't, but may try an amplifier first. The combination of the base and ringer volume is very good and has a variety of tones within the tunes and ringer sounds from a choice of 15 melodies for both parts, so it gives me plenty of options to try.

It's all set up now .... so why isn't it ringing like it ususally does so I can find out??! . I will give an update once I've had time to get used to talking on it incase anyone else is ever interested.

Savvy_Sue Thank you so much for the links, especially "Help for Hearing Impairment". I found out more information than I bargained for and will be following it up once I'm back on my feet. As I skimmed through parts, looking for any relating to homephones, I came across some very interesting posts that I could relate to so I've now read the entire thread . It prompted me to check my hearing aids (model/type etc) and when I last had a hearing test. I thought I may be due for one as I do think my hearing has worsened .... and had a big shock when realising it was about 6-7 years ago :eek:. I was lucky to be amongst the first in my area to have digital aids and was told were the "Rolls Royce" of hearing aids and seems they're now very out-dated with blue-tooth technology and how many other models of my type there seem to have been since then. My health issues began around this time, but evenso, I am stunned at myself for letting it slip so long or to have or being called in for one. (Maybe I need to get a "roundtuit"??!!)


Mrs_Ryan - Thanks for your information too as your mention of an amplifier made me look up properly what they are. As I've said above, I may try one if I still have problems using the phone.

Sorry for such a long post - I don't have any association to Bt Phones or Ebay, but think I'm basically attempting to convince myself I've made the right choice .

Savvy_Sue

Just a thought, but have you ever had an assessment of what aids might be helpful in your home? As mentioned, I'm sure, in the Hearing Impairment thread ...

Mum has flashing door bells and flashing / vibrating smoke alarms. She's tried a few other things but these are the only two she finds useful.

Mrs_Ryan

bluedog wrote: »

Mrs_Ryan - Thanks for your information too as your mention of an amplifier made me look up properly what they are. As I've said above, I may try one if I still have problems using the phone.

Sorry for such a long post - I don't have any association to Bt Phones or Ebay, but think I'm basically attempting to convince myself I've made the right choice .

No problem

OP, sorry, Mum has been poorly so havent had a chance to find out what it is they've got; hopefully I should find out soon.