When you need a hearing aid of some kind, using a phone can be tricky. This article looks at some ways of using a phone with a Cochlear Implant....but some of the things also apply to using a phone with a hearing aid.

How to use the phone	What type of phone	Pros	Cons	Costs
Simply hold the phone to the microphone on our processor and hear the caller	- Landline - Switchboard - Mobile/Cell	- Quick answering - No fiddling with switches or cords	- Not always the clearest sound - Can be difficult to hold the phone over the processor microphone all the time - Can bump off the processor - Sound going on around you may interfere with ability to hear	- No cost
- Switch to tswitch which often gives us clearer sound	- Most phones of all kinds have tswitch capability but test them first	- Usually easy to switch to tswitch - Sounds is usually much clearer - Background noise can be cut out	- You may not be able to hear sounds going on around you – ie someone issuing you instructions to tell your caller - Can bump off the processor	- No cost
- Use a loud speaker phone	- Many phones have loudspeaker capability, find out before buying	- Can control the volume - Easy to use - No need to hold speaker over your processor - Great if you have to wait in a queue - Can put the phone down and use a computer or write at the same time	- May disturb others - Lack of privacy - Sometimes distortion occurs	- No additional cost
Plug in a tswitch extension which hooks over the ear near to the processor.	- Phones with a headphone socket – check the socket size - Cordless phones (landline) - Mobile	- Cuts out buzzing which is often present when holding hands free phones near the processor - Plus all tswitch pros (2) above - Can put phone down	- Can’t see where the hook picks up the sound best - The hook can fall off your ear - Cords are a nuisance	- Around $89 - available from places like Word of Mouth technology
- Plug in Cochlear’s audio cord from processor to phone.	- A phone which allows you to use the phone’s microphone. - Cordless phones with a headphone socket – check the socket size - Mobile phones with this capability tell you this when you plug the cord in	- No buzzing - Cords cannot fall off - Direct connection gives extremely clear sound - Can cut out background sound	- Can’t plug it in quickly - May not hear people around you - Some processor need programming to pick the accessory up each time you plug it in	- $80+
A Telstra Cochlear Implant adaptor.	- For use with land lines. it plugs between the handset and the phone and into your processor.	- With direct sound you get excellent quality, plus you use the phone microphone to speak	- Takes time to plug in so can’t answer a phone quickly - May not hear background noise - Processor may need to be programmed to pick up the accessory	- Free when approved by your audiologist
- Many video applications are now available on mobile and Computers	- Mobile - Computer	- Helps understanding with lip reading and seeing body language - Option: Can use any cord with the video call to help with understanding	- Video may not sync with sound - Video can stall and pixelate	- Skype is free - Download charges for video calls may apply to mobile phones
The Captel captioned phone offers additional help to those who still may not hear clearly enough	- Captel phone only	- Excellent captioning - Helps with understanding	- Need fast broadband connection and free phone line - Currently not available in the evenings and on weekends	- Currently under trial in Australia - Available in USA
- Then there are a range of Bluetooth type devices which transmit the sound wirelessly to your processor.	- All phones which have Bluetooth connectivity	- Wireless connection - No fiddling with cords - Uses tswitch	- Rechargeable batteries 6 hr life - Batteries may die at inappropriate times - Have to wear/have the dongle handy at all times	- $299