Cell Phones for Seniors
Cell Phones for Seniors (pdf)
Cell Phones for Seniors
Choosing a cell phone can be a daunting task. There are so many choices! Here are a few tips for choosing a senior-friendly cell phone that will help you communicate, rather than get in your way.
Hearing Aid Information
Many cell phones on the market today are designed to work with (or at least not interfere with) hearing aids. The FCC regulates the classification of hearing aid compatible phones.* Those that are compatible with hearing aids are identified with a rating of M3/T3 (good) or M4/T4 (excellent). The “M” stands for microphone and the “T” stands for telecoil coupling, or t-coil. While these ratings are useful, it is still best to actually try out the phone to make sure it works well with your particular hearing device.
Consumer Cellular offers several hearing aid compatible phones. You’ll find this information in our cell phone comparison chart. Use this chart to help you select the cell phone that will best meet your needs. The good news: if the phone doesn’t work out as you expected, we’ll pay the shipping cost for returning it.
*See Center for Hearing Loss Help for more detailed information.
Choosing the Right Cell Phone
Each phone style has its tradeoffs. As cell phones get smaller, they do get easier to carry around, but they can also be harder to use for senior citizens. When deciding on a phone, here are some things to consider:
- Keypad
Those tiny, flat keys can make it difficult to dial the phone. If you are concerned about the finger dexterity needed to dial a phone, consider a model with raised, separated number keys and a large keypad.
- Display
Some cell phones have a larger screen than others, making the numbers and messages easier to read which can be very helpful for seniors.
- Speakerphone
Some phones also have a speakerphone, which can be a workable solution to hearing aid incompatibility. With the speakerphone you can hold the phone away from your hearing aid, which can reduce any feedback you may be experiencing.
Benefits of a Flip Phone
Compact and convenient, flip phones, are very easy to use. When the phone rings, just flip it open to answer the call. Many flip phones have a screen on the outside so you can see who is calling. The flip design also protects the keypad from accidental dialing, so you don’t have to worry about unexpected calls to Australia.
There are many cell phone options available to you. Consumer Cellular can help you choose the senior cell phone that fits your needs.
