We make use our sense of hearing every single day of our existence. Unfortunately, it a sense something we cannot control. True to say, once a person develops a hearing complication, it affects a major part of their life.
Suffering from hearing complications can really be frustrating, it forces one to adjust his daily communication patterns. This of course depends on the seriousness of the problem.
Hearing impairment can be treated in many cases, but for hearing loss caused by inner ear damage, hearing aids have been proven to be the most effective remedy.
With the help of modern technology, a good number of smartphones are now able to assist many who are having hearing complications. If you happen to be someone, or knows someone who suffers from hearing difficulties, then read on.
There are cell phones specially made for those with hearing difficulties, they vary in functionality and price, so it’s up to you to take your pick, according to how best it meets your needs.
In this article, I’ll be taking you through some of the best cellphone for hearing impaired seniors.
Contents
Hearing Impairment: Features To Consider Before You Buy A Cell Phone
When you are about to choose the right cellphone for your hearing impairment, you have to check the following –
- It allows for additional amplification.
- Cell phone and earpiece design.
- Text mode.
- Video chat and calls if sign language is needed.
- Vibration alert.
- Speakerphone or hands-free function.
I have come across a good number of android cell phones for those with impaired hearing, and I bet you that these phones will meet your needs.
Despite having ratings, the results of the cell phone usage will depend on the user’s hearing device and hearing complications. Testing the phone with your hearing device is the best way to certify how well it suits your needs.
Hearing Aid Compatible Rating:
HAC ratings follow a standard code by means of M-Ratings and T-Ratings. M-Ratings vary in value from M1 to M4 whereas M3 and M4 meet FCC requirements. They are likely to generate less interference to hearing devices than unrated phones. Furthermore, in M-Ratings, the higher the number the better the performance.
T-Ratings, on the other hand, varies in values from T1 to T4 whereas T3 and T4 meet FCC requirements. The main difference between the M-Rating and T-Rating is that the latter is likely to be more usable with hearing device’s telecoil than unrated phones.
Best Cell Phone for hearing impaired Seniors
Without further ado, let’s delve right in to the topic for today. We would be reviewing 5 top phones for hearing impaired seniors to guide your next phone purchase.
- Samsung Galaxy S10 & Note10 Smartphone Series
- LG G8 ThinQ
- Google Pixel 4
- Motorola G7 Power
- Samsung Galaxy A10e
- Kyocera DuraXA E4510
Now let’s get into the details of the best Cell Phone for hearing impaired seniors
Samsung Galaxy S10 & Note10 Smartphone Series
Samsung’s flagship offering for the year 2019 is by far one of the best smartphones for the hearing impaired. This includes all the models belonging to the Galaxy S10 series and Note 10 series such as S10e, S10, S10 Plus, Note 10, Note10+ and S10 5G.
The S10 and Note 10 series of smartphones all feature a HAC rating of M4 & T3, indicating that the handset has satisfied and exceeded the ANSI standard. Making the Galaxy S10 and Note 10 phones one of the best smartphones for the hearing impaired.
Pros
- Strong vibration alert
- Crystal clear display for sign language
- Multi-functional phone
Cons
- Too expensive
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF SAMSUNG GALAXY S10 SMARTPHONE ON AMAZON
LG G8 ThinQ
Another excellent phone for the hearing impaired is the LG G8 ThinQ Android smartphone. It also boasts of an HAC rating of M4/T3.
The great thing about the G8 ThinQ is that it’s not as expensive as the Galaxy S10. The last time I checked, the price of the LG G8 ThinQ on the market is about half of the selling price of Samsung Galaxy S10.
So if you want a high-end smartphone that’s a cheaper alternative to Samsung’s best offering, then you might want to consider the G8 ThinQ phone instead.
Pros
- Vibration alert
- Very good display
- Not so expensive
Cons
- Not as functional as some other phones in its class
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF LG G8 THINQ ON AMAZON
Google Pixel 4
Google Pixel 4 is another excellent option to consider. Despite having a much inferior rating of M3/T3.
Pixel 4 is the phone that has been made the Google way. Meaning, the phone is designed and developed to promote a newer way for the users to interact with the phone while having the best features in the market.
Despite having a lower rating, it still satisfied the ANSI standard. Furthermore, Pixel 4, including the Pixel 4 XL variant, is Google’s flagship smartphone model for the year 2019.
Pros
- Very good display
- Strong vibration alert
- Effective maps
Cons
- For a flagship phone, it is too expensive
- Low HAC ratings
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF GOOGLE PIXEL 4 ON AMAZON
Motorola Moto G7 Power
If you want something more affordable, but has the latest in Android and that comes with 5000mAh of battery, then the Motorola Moto G7 Power is an excellent phone to consider.
With an ANSI rating of M4/T3, you won’t just be getting the latest in Android, you’ll also get a phone that has better HAC ratings than Google’s flagship phone and all of that at a very fair price.
So if you want an Android smartphone that doesn’t break the bank, something of the latest but not necessarily the best, then I highly recommend considering the Moto G7 Power.
Pros
- Fairly priced phone
- Loud ring-out
- Good display
- Strong battery life
Cons
- Doesn’t offer much in terms of functionality
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF MOTOROLA MOTO G7 ON AMAZON
Samsung Galaxy A10e
If you want an Android smartphone that’s cheaper than the S10, and you still find the Moto G7 Power a bit off your budget, then I highly recommend the Samsung Galaxy A10e.
This phone has an ANSI rating of M3/T3 with an SRP of USD $179.99. In some countries, it is sold for less than $100, which makes it the cheapest Samsung phone with the latest Android OS to date.
So if you’re someone who doesn’t know so much about smartphones, and you’re planning to gift one to your parents or elderly relatives, then the Galaxy A10e is a great option to consider.
Pros
- Very affordable
- Clear display and sound
- Good vibration
Cons
- Poor battery life
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF SAMSUNG GALAXY A10E ON AMAZON
Commonly Asked Questions:
Can a cell phone be used as a hearing aid?
We are lucky to live in a world filled with technological advancements. Nonetheless, a cellphone cannot be used directly as a hearing aid.
Most of the hearing aids on the market require a streaming device to enable Bluetooth connectivity to your smartphone. However, the latest hearing aid technology allows you to connect the aids directly to your smartphone wirelessly.
What does Hearing Mode do on Android?
The Hearing Mode on Android is designed for those consumers who have telecoil hearing aids. It alters the acoustic setting of the smartphone to improve its audio clarity. However, it is only compatible with Samsung Galaxy phones.
What is the best hearing aid app for Android?
There are so many android hearing aid apps available. However, I consider the Signia touchControl App the best you can get. You can download it directly from the Google Play Store.
Do you need a cell phone for hearing impaired seniors?
In some Cases, the answer is yes. This of course depends on the severity of the person’s hearing problem. Cell phones designed for people with hearing impairment can be a great way to ease the stress in the everyday activities of a person.
For Those Who Don’t Like Smartphones
Kyocera DuraXA E4510
This phone boasts of an ANSI rating of M4/T4 which is the highest rating that any phone can get for hearing aid compatibility.
This basic flip phone is not only a great phone for the hearing impaired, but it also features Military Standard 810G rating that protects against shock, vibration, blowing rain, temperature extremes, and IPX68 dustproof and waterproof (rating for up to 30 minutes in up to 6 feet of water).
Pros
- Waterproof
- Excellent hearing compatibility
- Fairly priced
- Can hold up in 6ft of water for as long as 30mins
Cons
- Doesn’t have the full functionality of an Android phone
CLICK HERE FOR PRICE OF KYOCERA DURA XAE4510 ON AMAZON
Best Cell Phone for hearing impaired seniors Conclusion
Loss of one’s hearing ability is something no one can stop when it happens. There is no cure or remedy for it, especially when a person is in his/her advanced years. Luckily, there are gadgets that can make living with hearing impairment easier. The cell phones I have reviewed above are some of such gadgets.
They vary in price and functionality, but be rest assured they will all serve you well.
I hope this review has helped you make a decision on the best cellphone for hearing impaired seniors to buy. If you have any suggestions, then feel free to share with the rest of us via the comment section. Someone out there may need it!
Good luck!