Do mobile phones cause interference with hearing aids ?

Interference from mobile phones has been a major issue for hearing aid users, but modern phones generally cause less interference to modern, digital hearing aids. So if you’ve tried to use a mobile phone in the past with no luck, don’t assume that they aren’t suitable for you. Try a newer model in a shop or borrow a friend’s, and you may be pleasantly surprised – especially if you have digital hearing aids.

Is handsfree a good feature to have on a mobile phone?

Like many digital cordless phones, some mobiles now have a handsfree facility which allows you to have a conversation on the phone without having to hold the phone to your ear. This can be useful if you want to do something else at the same time as making a call. It might also be a good feature for someone who wants to use their mobile whilst wearing a hearing aid.

Our users generally liked having a handsfree facility, but we found that the volume and sound quality varied greatly between different models of phone. So, if handsfree sounds like a good idea for you, do ask to try it out before choosing a new mobile.

A word of warning: handsfree phones are very, very loud. You may find them suitable for your hearing loss but please be very careful about holding the phone anywhere near your ear when in handsfree mode.

 Also, we would advise only using the handsfree facility at home or in an emergency. Otherwise the noise from the speaker will disturb those around you and everyone will hear your conversation!