Mobile Phone for older lady with Phonak hearing aids- quite deaf

[Jenny105]

Im looking for a moile smartphone suited to a long term  hearing aid (Phonak) user. High tones big loss, all tones some loss. ( I have  PC knowledge and capable of using Photoshop to manipulate images).    Any suggestions welcome

I Tried Doro 410 and 420  but cant quite hear my son on it.(higher tones). So dont use it as a phone out of fear.! I also had trouble with charging them as the phones got to 18m old.

Im looking at  Amplicomms M9500   which is replacing the M9500 but is more expensive.It promises hearing aid loop use.Has the M9000 fulfil this ?

Does anyone know of any where online or otherwise where I can learn to use a smartphone. Ive never seemed to master the internet  and  use of apps. I can transfer images but other stuff is all new. Visual preferred to books. Sadly my partner isnt IT savvy and I have no close relatives, A few of my friends aren't even PC savvy nor textable.

[MI5 · Accepted solution]

Some o2 advice here http://www.o2.co.uk/access-for-all/choosing-an-accessible-phone/hearing-impairments
and some recommended phones here http://www.hearingdirect.com/Amplified-Mobile-Phones/

[Cleoriff]

Good advice @MI5 I wonder if this would help as well. Seems appropriate http://ngts.org.uk/app_index.php

https://community.o2.co.uk/t5/Discussions-Feedback/NGTS/m-p/1030065#M89141

as @Jenny105 has a hearing impairment?

[MI5]

Yes, it would be good to know if @Jenny105 was aware of these services or not?

[Anonymous]

Can't @Toby feed that back & get something implemented 

[Jenny105]

Hi    implanted?  does that mean 'a sticky'. - always there for people to view.

I live in an area where there are lots of older people. I high proportion of older people become partially hearing to varios degress according toas and when  how many hairs in the ear die.

So why havent the manufacturers cottoned on to the fact that there are many older peoople who need specialist mobiles, they want smartphone but need simplifications because we didnt grow up with IT but want to use it. If only there were such devices sold in02 shops and other outlets Id say there would be a market.

thanks for your suggestion. 

Personally i found the community by chance last night . Ive been 2 years trying to find a phone to keep me in touch with family as they dont have a landline . Im retrying my doro410 with my new phonak aids. Mixed results but I'll keep trying

[Toby]

Hi @Jenny105 and welcome to the community! Has @MI5's link helped? (http://www.o2.co.uk/access-for-all/choosing-an-accessible-phone/hearing-impairments)

Do let us know how you get on. I shall also share your views with our team too. We're always looking out for experiences we can learn from in terms of accessibility in devices :).

[Jenny105]

Reply to all thank you to all those who replied. Note I have been deaf for 24years but of  late this worsened, The hi frequencies are the most damaged.

I am trialling the Amlicomms M7500 for a month  

and hope to trial the new M9500 smartphone by same maker soon

Early days

M7500  Set up   Initial set up was aided by an accurate diagram provided. 

There needs to be more in this booklet re finding the customized settings especially  if you are new to mobile phones.

Audio wise. On the preset hearings I could not hear the voice of the caller well enough . My Phonak hearing aid loop caused a faint buzzing  when I  tried

However from the optional phone settings I chose the very loud setting and there is also a button on the side of the phone for this. With this setting I could converse without the loop. With the loop switched on voices are very clear dispite the faint buzz,  Ive not been able to phone before. Rejoice 

More info

SMS Ive had a touchscreen, & qwerty onscreen keyboard on my last 2 phones.  i found texting on the M7500 butttons frustrating. I couldnt find the full stop nor capitals button.If this is your usual method to text Im sure it would be easier 4 U. I also found it hard on my fingers/joints to push the buttons. A smart screen is easier

I have yet to use the CD provided and have not phoned my son who's voice is hi decibels. But definitely I can converse for the first time.

When the M9500 arrives I will post around its performance. But the sun is already rising on my communications darkness.

[MI5]

It's sounding more promising now.
Really pleased for you.

[Cleoriff]

@Jenny105I am so pleased to read your post above. Hopefully the experience will be very positive. Please come back and let us know how you get on. Any post from you will help us assist any other members with hearing impairments. Thanks for your updates so far...