These days, the cellular phone network is a lot more dependable (and there’s a lot less static involved). But in some cases, it will still be difficult to hear what the individual on the other end is saying. In fact, there’s one group for whom using a phone isn’t always a positive experience: those who have hearing loss.
Now, you might be thinking: there’s an easy solution for that, right? Why not use a pair of hearing aids to make your phone conversations a little clearer? Actually, it doesn’t work precisely that way. It turns out that, while hearing aids can make in person conversations a lot easier to handle, there are some difficulties related to phone-based conversations. But there are definitely some things you can do to make your phone conversations more successful.
Phone calls and hearing aids don’t always work well together – here’s why
Hearing loss typically develops slowly. Your hearing normally doesn’t just go. You tend to lose bits and pieces over time. It’s likely that you won’t even detect you have hearing loss and your brain will try to utilize contextual and visual clues to compensate.
So when you get on the phone, all of that contextual data disappears. There’s no extra information for your brain to fill in. You only hear parts and pieces of the other person’s voice which sounds muffled and distorted.
Hearing aids can be helpful – here’s how
This can be helped by wearing hearing aids. Lots of those missing pieces can be filled in by using hearing aids. But there are a few distinctive accessibility and communication difficulties that happen from using hearing aids while talking on the phone.
For example, placing your hearing aids near a phone speaker can create some harsh speaker-to-speaker interference. This can lead to some awkward gaps in conversation because you can’t hear very well.
Bettering your ability to hear phone conversations
So, what can you do to address the challenges of utilizing a phone with hearing aids? Well, there are a few tips that most hearing specialists will suggest:
- You can use your Bluetooth function on your hearing aid to stream to your phone. Yes, modern hearing aids can connect to your cellphone using Bluetooth! This means that if your hearing aids are Bluetooth enabled, phone calls can be streamed right to your phone. This can prevent feedback and make your phone calls a little more private, so it’s a practical place to begin if you’re having difficulty on your phone.
- Find a quiet spot to carry out your phone calls. It will be much easier to hear the voice on the other end if there’s less noise. If you lessen background noise during phone calls your hearing aids will perform so much better.
- Put your phone in speaker mode as frequently as you can: Most feedback can be prevented this way. There may still be some distortion, but your phone conversation should be mostly understandable (while maybe not necessarily private). The best way to keep your phone and your hearing aid apart is by switching to speakerphone.
- Use other assistive hearing devices: There are other assistive devices and services that can help you hear better during a phone conversation (including many text-to-type services).
- Be truthful with the individual you’re talking to on the phone: It’s okay to admit if you’re having difficulty! You may just need to be a little extra patient, or you may want to think about using text, email, or video chat.
- Make use of video apps: Face-timing someone or hopping onto a video chat can be a very good way to help you hear better. The sound won’t be louder or clearer, but at least you will have that visual information back. And once more, this type of contextual information will be considerably helpful.
Depending on your general hearing needs, how often you use the phone, and what you use your phone for, the appropriate set of solutions will be accessible. With the correct approach, you’ll have the tools you require to begin enjoying those phone conversations once again.
Contact us for some help and advice on how to best use your phone and hearing aids together.