If you are unsure whether you are working with an analog or digital phone system, there are a couple ways to make sure. A phone that has a label on the bottom reading "complies with part 68, FCC Rules" with a Ringer Equivalence Number (REN) listed on it will be an analog phone. It is possible to use any of the Amplified Phones from our catalog on an analog phone line. Multi-line phones with display screens and extra feature buttons are almost always digital.

Digital phone systems are more of a challenge, but there are some options:

(A) Digital landline phones can be accommodated with a digital compatible in-line amplifier. These amplifiers can amplify the existing phone handset between 24 and 30 decibels which is appropriate for a mild to moderate hearing loss. Hearing aids without telecoils cannot be counted on to perform well with in-line amplifiers. The microphones of hearing aids and CI processors are designed to have sound approximately arms length away. Holding an amplified handset next to the microphone can cause both audio feedback (whistling) and distortion of the incoming voice. People with mild to moderate hearing loss often take their hearing aids off when using an in-line amplifier.

Hands free headsets with the digital compatible UA-50 amplifier are now available. The UA-50 provides 30 decibels of amplification with an additional 15 decibels from its manual Boost button. Hearing aids may have problems working with the amplified earphones of the headset. People with severe hearing loss should consider the UA-50 Combo D and E which work with the telecoil in the hearing aid or BTE cochlear implant processor.

(B) Many digital phone manufacturers can provide "hearing aid compatible" handsets or hands-free headsets for their phone systems. These require that the person using the phone has at least one hearing aid or cochlear implant processor with a built-in telecoil. A hearing aid compatibility rating on the handset of T3 or T4 is preferrable.

The telecoil is sensitive to the magnetic field coming from the earpiece speaker and allows the hearing aid to reproduce the incoming voice inside the hearing aid. The amplification and clarity are provided by the settings of the hearing aid or processor.

In most cases, the telecoil will disable the environmental microphone of the hearing aid or CI processor in order to prevent room noise from interfering with the phone call. Sometimes a dual microphone/telecoil setting is possible. An audiologist may need to be consulted to optimize the telecoil for use with the "hearing aid compatible" phone equipment.

Please note: The volume controls on existing landline phones and on any amplified digital handsets rarely provide more than 20 decibels of amplification. These are designed for use by people with standard hearing working in a noisy environment and are rarely sufficient for addressing hearing loss.

(C) An analog phone line can be run through many existing digital phone systems. This would allow for the use of any Amplified Phone.

However, this dedicated analog phone line would not participate in the features of the digital system such as voice mail, in-house transfer, etc. Switchboard operators would connect to the analog line as if they were transferring to an outside line. Digital voice mail can be used by dialing the outside access number from the analog phone.

(D) Some digital phone manufacturers provide cordless versions of their phones. People with hearing aids or cochlear implant processors that have built-in telecoils may be able to use Hands-Free Headsets connected to the 2.5mm headset jack on the cordless phone. This would allow for participation in the features of the digital phone system such as voice mail, etc. Cell phones with 2.5mm headset jacks will also work with these telecoil-friendly headsets.

The "silhouette" style of the Hands-Free Headsets in our catalog does provide a stronger magnetic signal than most "hearing aid compatible" headsets on the market. Again, an audiologist may need to be consulted to optimize the telecoil.

FYI: There are currently no speech-to-text software programs capable of working with voices that have not been previously programmed into the software's memory. This software is designed to replace the keyboard for one person using one computer. Some programs can hold multiple voice files, but these can only be used one at a time. It would be necessary to log in and out of each speaker's file during the course of the conversation. Conference calls and in-depth customer service calls cannot be accommodated with existing speech-to-text software.

TTY software compatible with networked computer systems is available from www.nxicom.com. The NexTalk software allows any computer to become a TTY/TDD. Incoming TTY/TDD calls can be routed from the switchboard to the appropriate location on the network. Contact NXi for more information. Let them know what platform your network runs on and how many computers would need to be connected to the software. NexTalk users can use the nation-wide TTY Relay Service to call people who do not have a TTY/TDD. The Communication Assistant at the Relay will type out everything that is said and read back all text messages.

Sprint is offering a web-based text system called Web CapTel. This service uses the exisiting digital phone and an internet connection. Calls placed through the Web CapTel site (www.sprintcaptel.com) allow the user to read a real-time transcription of each call while listening to the existing phone for tone of voice and other cues that allow for a comforable pace of conversation. The user speaks directly to the other person through the existing phone. This Web CapTel service is currently having some problems with switchboard phone systems. Check the website (www.sprintcaptel.com) for updates and details on how the service works. No special phone equipment or software is required for the Web CapTel service.

Of course, every situation is unique. Please contact us (store (at) hsdc.org) with the specifics of the accommodation you are looking for. We often mix and match equipment for the best results in ways the manufacturers may not have advertized.