Knowing the different types of hearing loss and how they affect phone communication can help you create a strategy for optimal communication.
There are a variety of ways you can have meaningful phone conversations with hearing loss; from captioned telephones, amplified handsets, or assistive listening devices, there are plenty of options. Let’s explore the types of hearing loss and how they affect phone communication to help you understand what tools may best suit your needs. Your audiologist is a great resource for hearing loss tools as well.
Types of Hearing Loss
According to the CDC, there are four main types of hearing loss. Conductive hearing loss is categorized as a blockage where sound is unable to reach the inner ear. Sensorineural hearing loss is when the inner ear or hearing nerve is not functioning properly. Auditory neuropathy spectrum disorder is when sound is heard, but not in an organized way. Finally, mixed hearing loss is when two types of hearing loss are experienced together. Knowing which specific type of hearing loss you experience can help you talk with your audiologist, compare notes or ideas with members of the hearing loss community, and try new listening devices.
How Hearing Loss Affects Phone Communication
Phone communication with hearing loss may be a challenge; you may feel like the person’s voice is muffled, too quiet, or have trouble following along with the conversation. Many people with hearing loss rely on lip reading or physical cues, which cannot be given during a phone call. It may also be difficult to understand with background noise, static, or other interrupting sounds during the call.
Methods for Improving Phone Communication
There are a variety of ways to help improve phone communication. Reading along with the phone conversation is a popular choice in the hard of hearing community. Using a captioned telephone, like one of the CapTel models, allows you to read along with the conversation in real time, helping you to note important details, feel more engaged and involved in the conversation, and improve your overall phone communication experience.
Another great way to improve phone communication is to create a Bluetooth connection between your assistive listening device (like hearing aids) and your cell phone. Many newer models of hearing aids and cell phones can pair so that the audio from a phone call is played directly into your ear through your hearing aids. This improves sound quality, amplifies the sound waves, and reduces background noise, all of which can help you understand the call better.
Talk With Your Audiologist
If you’re struggling with phone communication, or if you want to take a look at new technology, it’s a good idea to talk with your audiologist. They will be able to give you ideas and recommend strategies or devices that can help improve your phone communication experience.
Understanding types of hearing loss can inform decisions about phone communication preferences. There are many routes you can take to improve your phone communication experience. If you are interested in exploring captioned phones, test out the CapTel model options to find the best fit for you. Contact us today with any questions or check out our blog for more hearing loss resources.
