Cell Phones and Cell Phone Accessories |

Cell Phones and Cell Phone Accessories

Cell phones change more often than hearing aid models and it is hard to keep up. When the FCC mandated a universal rating system for telecoils and microphones in 2006, it was a giant step for consumer education. However, there must be hundreds of cell phone models so education is still needed to wade through the options.

The Better Hearing Institute’s newest newsletter shares Janice Schacter’s article from the January/February 2009 issue of Volta Voices that gets an A+ in my book for consumer education when choosing a cell phone for purchase. You can read more about her from BHI’s newsletter.

Being able to use a cell phone with your hearing aid without the need for an accessory is certainly more convenient.

However, if you are not yet in the market for a new cell phone, you can enhance the performance of cell phones and hearing aids with accessories like silhouette earpieces, amplified neckloops and Bluetooth neckloops that work with your hearing aid telecoils. You get the added benefit of reducing background noise when you use your telecoil for even clearer understanding.

Cell phone accessories that are wired will plug into your cell phone’s headset jack. The jack must be a 2.5mm jack. Many cell phones will require an adapter to use these accessories. Many phones come with their proprietary adapter. Does your phone have a universal 2.5mm plug or do you need an adapter? Check this cell phone accessory site we use. We don’t profit from this site. It’s just easy to use. Your model number is usually listed on a label under the battery.

Now that you have better cell phone access, don’t be lured into thinking you are also safer.

Is Hands Free Cell Phone Use Really Safer?

Did you know that 8 states ban the use of hand-held cell phone use? The Govenors Highway Safety Association spells out the current laws for each state in regard to handheld cell phone bans by state.

Not surprisingly, cell phone use is the one of the most common driver distractions. But according to a study mentioned on the GHSA website, drivers don’t need to hold, dial or even talk into a cell phone to be distracted. Simply listening intently is enough to impair driving!

How well do you use the cell phone with your hearing aids? Share your favorite listening accessory or cell phone model that has worked well for you. We can all benefit.