Sound Advice by Ruth D. Bernstein
Ruth Bernstein, Consumer Advocate
Happy Valentine’s Day!
Although this article is about my love affair with an iPhone, the information is useful for most smartphones. People with hearing loss appreciate being able to communicate without using their ears. Smartphones make that easy by providing visual and tactile options.
I’ve had an iPhone since May, 2012. I had no intention of getting a smartphone because I couldn’t hear on the cell phone I had and phones in general were a challenge to my ears. (I’ve had a progressive bilateral sensorineural hearing loss for forty-six years and am now technically “deaf”.)
Danny, my youngest son and our family techie, persuaded me to buy the phone because “it will really change your life, Mom.” My response, “But I never use my cell phone,” was ignored by my loving, understanding son, who also has a hearing loss. Here’s a photo from 2014 with Danny, his wife, Susan, and me.
Lucky me! I now have a palm-size computer that allows me to get and answer email and texts, organize my life on the calendar, check the weather, find out about the news of the day, monitor the stock market, read 900-page books on the subway, take photos at the spur of the moment and use Google, the “magic” information resource. Having flashing and vibrating alerts adds a special measure of accessibility. Best of all, my family knows my anxiety level has gone down dramatically because I can email or text them for help if I need it, something they appreciate, too. xoxo Danny was right! The iPhone really changed my life.
To take advantage of the iPhone’s hearing accessibility features, go to: Settings/general/accessibility/hearing: includes hearing devices, TTY, LED Flash for Alerts/Mono Audio/Phone Noise Cancellation; Just below that under Media you’ll find subtitles and captioning.
In the last five years I’ve upgraded my phone twice; started with a 4s, traded it for a 5s two years later and now have a 6s that writes out all phone messages automatically. I also acquired a pair of powerful Oticon Chili hearing aids with t-switches and a streamer that allow me to hear on the iPhone so well I no longer have to get up my courage to make a phone call.
As phones get better, the apps improve too!
There are apps that will caption phone calls including:
- Caption Call https://captioncall.com/products/captioncall-mobile/
- Clear Captions http://www.clearcaptions.com
- Hamilton CapTel http://www.hamiltoncaptel.com
Apple has a medical ID page that can be opened by EMS without a code. In addition to pertinent medical information, it includes the medications you are taking and people to contact in case of an emergency. In December, 2016, Apple added a 911/SOS program that allows you to call 911 and notify 3 people that you have an emergency. To use it, update your iPhone to iOS 10.2.
Learn more about Apple’s 911/SOS program »
I also registered my hearing loss with NYC 911. My 911 records show the operator I will have trouble hearing when I call. Go to https://www.smart911.com
Learn more about free group devices demo »
We are fortunate to live in an era when hearing accessibility gets better every day. To keep up with the rapidly changing technology, visit CHC. They offer free group demonstrations of assistive devices each Thursday (excluding holidays) at 2:00 pm at their NYC office at 50 Broadway. Although walk-ins are always welcome, it’s best to confirm availability ahead of time: call 917-305-7766 (v) or email them.
CHC staff joins me in encouraging you to go to the Hearing Loss Association, New York City Chapter, monthly meetings. Their members are pleased to share coping strategies; they have a useful website with resources, and an informative newsletter that is always worth reading. hearinglossnyc.org
Let us know why you love your smartphone and how it changed your life. Email me at Buzz@CHChearing.org.
Best wishes,
Ruth D. Bernstein
Consumer Advocate
2 responses to “For people with hearing loss a smartphone is love”
I would like to share another iPhone use that Richard Einhorn demonstrated at the last HLAA meeting. I have been using: The Shure MV88 microphone that plugs into my iPhone 6. and the associated app. Rather than using the Apple earbuds, I bought the Blue Ever Blue 878 earbuds that Richard recommended, which seem to work better than the Apple. I am still new to the app and fumbling a bit, but I have used the device with pretty good success in restaurants several times. It isn’t perfect, but the directionality is very good at minimizing ambient noise. So far, the only drawback I have found is that the amplification across a large table is less than I would like, but it is much better than relying on my hearing aids. Possibly I will figure out a way to improve the amplification of more distant sounds.
Ruth, what a wonderful article and who really knew of all these wonderful features of the smart phone. I just knew it was smarter than me. Your tips were most informative and easy to understand as most of us never use our computers, phones and other devices to their potential. I Look forward an article on easy use of my Smart TV. THANKS AGAIN.