Telephones with adaptive technology

The telephone has been around for over 130 years, so naturally it's something we take for granted. But if your hearing, sight or dexterity was even slightly impaired, making a simple call used to prove a problem. Note the use of the past tense, because all that has changed. Now there are a whole range of innovations and technical advances that mean almost everyone can keep in touch.

For example...

1. If you have impaired hearing

You might imagine that using a phone is incompatible with reduced hearing, but this really isn't the case. Nowadays phones are available with flashing lights as well as ring-tones. Phones (including mobiles) that are hearing aid compatible and phones with auxiliary amplifiers. For details and features of what's available, see our buying guide for phones if your hearing is impaired.

2. If you have impaired sight

Poor vision or just mislaying your reading glasses? Either way you can still enjoy full use of your phone. Large keypads (including plug-in auxiliary versions for mobiles), number memory systems, centre of keypad locating dots and audible prompts all make dialling easier. For further information, see our buying guide for phones if your sight is impaired.  

3. If you have impaired dexterity

When your fingers aren't as nimble as they could be, modern technology can give you a helping hand. Over-size 'finger friendly' keypads, on-hook dialling and hands-free phones can all make a major contribution to your independence. There are even secure, PIN accessible automatic phones that allow you to answer and speak with no manual in-put required. To find out more, see our buying guide for phones if your dexterity is impaired.

...using a standard telephone may well be difficult. Fortunately modern technology has come up with a number of ways to redress the balance in your favour. For instance...

Visual call-alerts

A number of phones are available with an integral flashing light to alert you to incoming calls

Okay, you've answered the phone. Now, how can you ensure you clearly hear what the caller is saying?

Inductive couplers

...that's the technical term for a device which is either built into the phone or attached to the handset. The point is, it produces a signal that can be received by your hearing aid if it has a 'T' switch.

Pulsators

These are components that are built into the earpiece. They produce a sonic vibration which when placed against the bone in front or behind your ear can assist you in hearing better.

Portable amplifiers

Battery operated, these devices clip to the phone's earpiece to amplify the volume of incoming speech. Although they don't improve the clarity of sound unless used with an inductive coupler, they are popular with people who find it more comfortable to remove their hearing aid when talking on the phone. 

If your sight is impaired...telephone keypads can be tricky. The good news is: there are a number of helpful devices available:

Large keypads

Big, bold and highly visible, large keypads with over-size numerals (often in contrasting colours) can take the guesswork out of dialling a number.

Number memory

Very useful if you regularly phone family or friends. Their numbers can be stored in the phone and accessed with just a press of a single button.

Raised dot on '5'

This lets you locate the centre of the keypad by touch and subsequently find the other numbers you need.

Audible prompts

Voicemail services and many answer phones give audio indication when a message is stored. They can also give spoken prompts to help with retrieving incoming calls and recording outgoing messages.

If your dexterity is impaired...dialling a number, even just holding the handset may prove problematic. Thankfully, there a number of solutions available. Some simple, some more advanced - read on and see which would be most helpful for you.

Large keypads

Fitted with over-size, sometimes concave buttons, these can make dialling a lot less fiddly.

On-hook dialling

Lets you dial a number before lifting the handset. When your call is answered you have both hands free to lift the phone.

Hands-free phones

These have a built-in microphone and loudspeaker so you can have a conversation without lifting the handset.

Number memory

Stores the numbers of your family and friends. You can then call them by just pressing a single button.

Automatic answering phone

This type will answer an incoming call after a preset number of rings. You are only required to speak and listen via a clip-on microphone and a wall-mounted loudspeaker.