Audiology

Treatment

Using Telephones With a Hearing Aid

Most hearing aids have settings that allow you to wear the aid when using the telephone. Some hearing aids can detect the presence of a telephone near them and automatically activate a special telephone mode.

You may decide to use your telephone with or without your hearing aids.

With Your Hearing Aid

There are two ways to use a telephone with your hearing aids:

1. Hold the telephone receiver near the microphone of your hearing aid.

• In-the-ear hearing aid—Hold the phone receiver over your ear as you normally would. If this causes your hearing aid to whistle, try moving the telephone receiver away from the microphone a little.
  
  
• Behind-the-ear hearing aid—Hold the receiver on top of your ear where the hearing aid microphone is. If this causes your hearing aid to whistle, try moving the telephone receiver away from the microphone a little.

2. If your hearing aid has a T (telecoil) switch and if your telephone works with hearing aid T switch, you should:

• Turn your hearing aid switch to "T."
• Turn up the volume on your hearing aid. You may hear a humming sound from your hearing aid.
• Place the phone receiver near your hearing aid where you can hear comfortably.
  Note: Not all telephones work with hearing aid telephone switches.

Without Your Hearing Aid

Purchase an amplifier phone that lets you turn up the volume. Amplifier phones are available at most stores. If you have questions about improving your hearing on the phone, your audiologist can help you.