About this factsheet

This factsheet is part of RNID's equipment range. It is written for deaf and hard of hearing people. We use the term 'deaf' throughout to refer to all types of hearing loss.
 
Read this factsheet to find out:

We have separate factsheets on textphones, video communications and mobile phones, which tell you more about these products.

Can I adjust or adapt my existing phone?

If you find it difficult to hear the phone ringing:

If you still can't hear your telephone, you could add an extension bell or a flashing light in one or more rooms. 

Extension bells

You can buy extension bells which let you hear your phone ringing when you're away from the handset, for example if you're in the garage or garden. These bells can be either mains or battery powered, and come with a range of features, including volume control and different ring tones.

Visual call indicators

You can use a bright flashing light to tell you when your phone is ringing. This is known as a visual call indicator. Many call indicators also have a loud ring. They are mains or battery powered and can be placed on a surface or mounted on a wall. Some of these indicators also work with a table lamp, making it flash when your phone rings.

Multi-alerting systems

Multi-alerting systems can be used to make sure you're aware of things happening in your home. You can be alerted to important sounds, including

Most of the equipment uses flashing lights, vibrations or loud ringers to attract your attention. For more information, see our factsheet Multi-alerting systems.

A telephone amplifier

If you have difficulty hearing what is said over the phone, a telephone amplifier may help. It will make incoming speech louder. You attach the amplifier either to the earpiece of your handset, or between the phone and handset. Some products also have an inductive coupler for people who use hearing aids.

How do I choose a new phone?

Shop around until you find a phone that best suits your needs and budget. Use the tips below to help you decide what type of phone you need and what features will be the most useful to you:

See What special features should I look out for?
 
One of the first things you will need to decide is whether to buy a corded or a cordless phone.

What are the differences between corded and cordless phones?

Corded phones

Corded phones have handsets attached to the unit. They are cheaper to buy and often simpler to use. Their main disadvantage is that they need to be close to a telephone socket. However, a telephone extension lead may make it easier for you to place it where you want.

Cordless phones

Cordless phones have handsets that are not physically attached to the unit. This allows you to walk around the house while using your phone. You need to keep them charged up from mains electricity. These phones are not always as easy to use as a corded phone and may have poorer sound quality. Their range is suitable for most homes, but you may lose reception if you take the phone outside, for example in the garden.

Safety note - contacting emergency services

We advise you not to have a cordless phone as your only telephone because you might need to make emergency calls during a power cut. Some corded phones may also need powering from mains electricity, so check this before buying.

What are the differences between analogue and digital (DECT) cordless phones?

Nearly all cordless phones are now digital DECT phones, which provide more features and better sound quality than older analogue models. Digital phones are now much less expensive. However, cordless digital DECT phones can cause interference on older type (analogue) hearing aids. The main difference between analogue and digital DECT phones is that there are many digital ones available but very few analogue.

The advantages of digital cordless phones

So, if you use a hearing aid - particularly an older analogue model - you may be better off with a corded phone.

What special features should I look out for?

Different phones have different special features. You'll need to decide which features are most important to you.

Hearing aid compatibility

A phone described as hearing aid compatible has a built-in inductive coupler in the handset and may sound clearer if you use a hearing aid set to the 'T' (telecoil) setting. A phone with an inductive coupler is not necessarily expensive. You can buy basic phones with this feature. There are also a few digital cordless DECT phones that are hearing aid compatible.

Some hearing aid compatible phones may work better for you than others. So if you can, try them out in the shop.

Voice amplification

This feature makes the caller's voice louder. You can usually set the volume at a comfortable level. Most phones typically boost your caller's voice by 10-20 decibels (dB), so the sound will be about two to four times as loud. Some phones also let you amplify your own voice instead of the caller's, which may be useful if your voice is quiet or weak, or if the caller is hard of hearing.

Tone adjustment

Some phones allow you to boost or cut certain speech tones. This can make your caller's voice sound clearer.

Ring tones

Before buying a phone, try to listen to its ring tones if you can. You may be able to hear some rings better than others. On some phones, you can make the ring louder. Try the phone in the shop, if possible, to check that the ring is loud enough for you.

Visual call indicators

Some phones have an indicator light that flashes when the phone rings, but many are not bright enough to attract your attention if you're not already looking towards them. If you need a brighter visible indicator to tell you the phone is ringing, think about getting a separate call indicator light for your phone.

Phones with two handsets

These are useful if a lipspeaker is available to relay a conversation to you.

Corded phones with headsets

A few phones have a socket for a telephone headset. These let you use your hands for other tasks, like typing. This is why you're likely to see headsets used in offices.
 
Most headset phones have volume controls to adjust the sound level from the headset. You can also plug in a telephone amplifier between the telephone and headset to make the sound louder. You'll need to check for compatibility since not all headsets use the same connections.

Telephone answering machines

These combine a telephone with an answering machine. This means they can record memos or callers' messages - usually digitally, although older models record onto micro-cassette. Most have a pre-recorded outgoing message or greeting. You can change this and record your own greeting. Remote access lets you listen to your messages when you're away from home.

You might also be able to record conversations. This means you can listen to a conversation again, if you didn't hear everything the first time around. You can also double check information, like addresses and train times. We advise you to look for a model with amplified sound or, if you wear a hearing aid, an inductive coupler.

Caller display

These phones have a liquid crystal display (LCD), which lets you see a caller's phone number before deciding whether to answer the phone.

Big button phones

If you can't hold or press things easily, or you have poor eyesight, try a big button phone. These phones have large dial buttons and large, clear labels making them easier to use. Most big button phones are corded, but some cordless ones are now available.

Vibrating phones

A vibrating phone or 'bone phone' is designed for people with conductive hearing loss, a condition that affects the middle ear. A vibrating phone is basically a standard corded telephone with a vibrating earpiece, which you hold against the bone behind your ear. Speech vibrations travel by conduction through the bone to the cochlea in the inner ear. Hearing members of your household can also use the handset. This is a good product for people with conductive hearing loss.

How do I use the internet to make a voice call?

You can make and receive calls over the internet using a technology called VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) also known as 'Voice over IP' or 'Voice over broadband'. You can use either a computer or a normal telephone plugged into a special adapter.

Internet phone calls can be free or cheaper than making calls from BT landline and mobile phones. Often, call quality can be as good or better than a normal landline or mobile. However, with most VoIP services, you cannot make emergency (999) calls.

To use VoIP, you need a broadband internet connection. If you have a computer and use the internet, you may already have broadband. Slow 'dial-up' internet accounts are not suitable for VoIP.

Many companies provide VoIP services - these are often called net phone service providers or VoIP service providers. Some well-known ones are Skype, Vonage, BT Broadband Softphone and Sipgate. 

If you use a voice telephone (perhaps one that has extra amplification or that is hearing aid compatible), you should be able to use VoIP as long as you have a broadband internet connection and the right equipment.

Skype

You need to visit the Skype website to download the free Skype software (external link, opens new browser window) ('softphone'). Once you have downloaded the software, you need to follow the instructions to install the program on your computer. Skype will ask you to create your own unique 'username' and a password. Other Skype users can then contact you with this username.

Once the Skype softphone is on your computer, it will make your computer work like a telephone. The software phone will appear on the computer screen. You can make free calls to other Skype users (known as Skype-to-Skype calls) and Skype users can call you for free too.

You can also make calls from Skype on your computer to landline (BT) numbers and mobile phones, but you will need to buy credit on the optional 'Skype out' service first. The Skype website has more details on how you can do this. If you want to receive incoming calls from BT landline numbers or from mobile phones, you can do this through an optional service. Skype also offer an optional voicemail service. The message is forwarded to your nominated email address and can be played back on your computer or laptop through its loudspeaker. 

There are a number of products you can use with Skype such as headsets and handsets that look similar to a telephone. Look out for the blue Skype-approved logo. These have a 'USB' connection that plugs into the USB socket on most modern computers and laptops. Read more about USB sockets.

Besides Skype, there are a number of other VoIP services that work in a similar way. See Where can I get further information?

It is also possible to use these services with a webcam, so you can see the person you are speaking to (as long as they also have a webcam and use the same service). However, the quality may not be good enough for lipreading or signing. But as a webcam is not expensive, it may be worth experimenting. If you are looking to buy one to use with Skype, look out for one that is 'Skype approved'. Not all VoIP services have this feature so check first if it is important to you.

If you find that while using Skype that you have difficulty hearing a call, the Skype softphone also has an 'instant text messaging' feature, which works in a similar way to a textphone. This can be used as a back-up but only on Skype-to-Skype calls.  

BT broadband softphone

The BT softphone works in a similar way to Skype. You need to download the BT softphone from the BT website (external link, opens new browser window) and install it on your computer. Calls to other BT softphone users are free but calls from a BT softphone to landline and mobile phones are not. You will need to sign up to the pay-as-you-go option if you want to make landline and mobile phone calls.

What equipment do I need to make internet calls? 

You need something to speak into (just like you would with a normal phone), so that the caller at the other end can hear you, and you can hear them. The equipment you use will depend on your computer sockets.

USB sockets

The best option is to use a USB handset (also called a USB telephone), many of which have 'echo cancellation' to improve the call quality. USB handsets plug into the computer's USB socket. Most modern laptops have two USB sockets, whereas desktop computers usually have four or more. Older computers have USB 1.1, newer computers have USB 2.1, which is a faster connection and tends to work better with VoIP.

An alternative way to use Skype and other VoIP services is to use a VoIP USB adapter. These allow you to use any ordinary telephone, including hearing aid compatible models and those that have amplification. A VoIP adapter plugs into the computer's USB socket and has a BT-type socket so that any phone can plug into it.

Audio sockets

If you do not have a USB socket, you can use a headset (headphones with a microphone to allow two-way conversation) that plugs into the computer's audio sockets. However, this may not be ideal and the call quality might be quite poor because you may hear your own voice 'echo'.

Can I make internet calls without using a computer?

Vonage is a different type of VoIP service that doesn't need a computer. Instead, Vonage offers a monthly subscription service that includes the cost of a special adapter (also known as a router or VoIP router). Any phone can be plugged into the adapter, including hearing aid compatible models and phones with extra amplification. The adapter is connected to your broadband (Ethernet) modem.

To make and receive calls, you use the phone in the same way as you would when using BT. For example, when you pick up the receiver, you will hear a dial tone. 

With Vonage, you can make free calls to any landline number in the UK and Ireland at any time for £7.99 per month. International and mobile calls costs extra. Basically, Vonage gives you a cheap second telephone line with its own number.
           
VoIP safety note

With most VoIP service providers including Skype, it is not possible to make emergency calls. Emergency calls are possible with Vonage but not when there is a mains electricity failure (power cut) or when the broadband internet connection is disconnected or disrupted.

Where can I get further information?

Further information from RNID

Our Information Line offers a wide range of information on many aspects of deafness and hearing loss. Contact us for further copies of this factsheet and our full range of information factsheets and leaflets. You can also contact us if you would like information in Braille, on audiotape or large print.

RNID Information Line
19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL
Telephone 0808 808 0123 Textphone 0808 808 9000
Fax 020 7296 8199
informationline@rnid.org.uk

If you want to find out more about some of the subjects covered in this factsheet you may find the following RNID factsheets useful:

You may also want to look at our Everyday solutions leaflet.

Buying equipment from RNID

Visit our online shop or contact RNID Information Line for a copy of our Solutions catalogue (opens new browser window), full of products for deaf and hard of hearing people.
 
RNID Products
1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX
Telephone 01733 361199
Textphone 01733 238020
Fax 01733 361161
solutions@rnid.org.uk  

Skype
More information on Skype and how to download their software (external link, opens new browser window).

BT Broadband Softphone
More information on BT Broadband and how to download their software (external link, opens new browser window).

Vonage
More information on Vonage and how to download their software (external link, opens new browser window).

Sipgate
More information on Sipgate and how to download their software (external link, opens new browser window).