In Praise of Speakerphones |

In Praise of Speakerphones

Ever have one of those phone calls where you just can’t understand the caller? It can be frustrating. If you wear hearing aids and can’t find the sweet spot on your telecoil or are experiencing squealing when using the phone (or turning up the volume), then you might wish you had a speakerphone.

Many phones have speakerphone capability but the problem is that the speakerphone may not be of the highest sound quality. Good enough for someone with near normal hearing, but just not good enough if you depend on clarity and volume to hear.

Speakerphones offer a fast and very easy way to listen with both ears to the call. No telecoils, neckloops or other accessories to handle.

While there are several amplified phones with good speakerphones that can useful if you have a moderate loss, there are only a few that stand out if your loss is more severe.

We have tested speakerphones side-by-side to find the ones that provide the highest quality, loud, clear sound for those who need it. These phones don’t cut off the first few words each time a caller speaks, a problem with half-duplex speakerphones.

We evaluate each new phone model that offers a speakerphone because we are always looking for the best value. Right now, there are 2 models that we recommend when a client tells us that the speakerphone is the most desired feature they want on the phone.

If a client wants a cordless phone, we recommend the Clarity Professional C4230 most often because it has a speakerphone in both the handset and the base of the phone. The most popular speakerphone on a corded telephone is the Fanstel ST150 corded with business grade speakerphone.

Speakerphones are best used in a home environment.

Want to use a speakerphone at work?
Using a speakerphone at work should probably be the last resort. Everyone around you can hear a call on speakerphone and this can become annoying (just like people who talk on their cell phones in public places, oblivous to the fact you might only be one seat away). Even if you have your own office, people across the hall may be able to hear your call.

If you want to be hands-free at work or want to listen with both ears, then a headset or neckloop is the better option. There are amplifiers with headsets available but that’s the topic of another post.

Speakerphone Etiquette

Always let your caller know you are putting them on speakerphone.
Stay close to the phone when you talk so that your caller can hear you.
Turn down the TV and make sure background noise is low because your caller will hear background noise as well as your voice.
Don’t eat or type while you are talking. Callers can hear that too.
Let callers know if anyone else is in the room.