Phones for hard of hearing are an essential adaptation for your elderly loved ones if they’re struggling to use the phone.
With a range of features to amplify voice and ringtone, calls have never been easier for people with hearing issues.
This helps your loved ones stay connected to family members, friends and essential services.
This article will cover the best phones for hard of hearing which are available to buy online.
Disclosure: This post contains affiliate links and if you go through them to make a purchase we will earn a small commission.
Here’s a summary of what we’ll cover:
- Phones for hard of hearing have features that amplify caller voice as well as increase ringtone volume.
- This means that people who have moderate to severe hearing impairment are less likely to miss calls.
- Talking on the phone is made easier, instilling a sense of confidence and independence at home.
- Other features such as big buttons, speed dial and incoming caller labelling make these phones a great buy.
What is hard of hearing?
Hard of hearing is the term used to describe people who struggle with their hearing but aren’t completely deaf.
It can refer to anything from mild to severe hearing loss in people who are still able to communicate verbally.
As people get older, their hearing may worsen due to age-related and genetic factors.
One such condition is presbycusis, which occurs due to changes to the inner ear and auditory nerve.
What communication difficulties arise from being hard of hearing?
People with hearing issues can find communication difficult for a number of reasons.
While they themselves are able to communicate verbally, their ability to receive sounds is impaired.
So information and spoken cues can be missed in conversations, which can reduce their understanding.
Additionally, people who don’t hear well may miss jokes, compliments and other messages which can leave them feeling isolated.
General features of phones for hard of hearing
Phones for hard of hearing have a number of special features that make them easy and comfortable to use:
- Hearing aid compatibility
- Call volume amplifiers
- Extra loud ringtone options
- Large dial buttons
Phones for hard of hearing: The best buys
Let’s take a closer look at the best phones for people who are a little hard of hearing.
Remember, each phone has unique features that might be best for you or your loved one.
And we’ve also included a wide price range so there is something for everyone.
Let’s get to it.
Amplicomms Bigtel 40 – Big Button Phone for Elderly
This telephone has many features that make using the phone easier for elderly people.
Not only does it have 6 memory buttons to save key contacts, their extra large size makes dialling much easier.
The handset volume can be increased by +40 dB during a call with the audio boost button.
And the ringtones can be set to up to 90 dB so that the phone can always be heard ringing.
Key features
- Audio boost amplifier
- Compatible with hearing aids
- Easy to set up
- Corded design that looks like a phone
- Loud ringer with adjustable sound
- Flashing light to show incoming calls
This phone is great for:
This phone is compatible for people who have moderate to severe hearing issues due to its amplifying features.
It’s also a good option for people living with dementia, thanks to the big customisable buttons that let you add key contacts.
What the reviews say:
‘Easy to set up was for my dad who’s hard of hearing the amplifier button is a great addition.’
‘My Mum is 91 years old and her hearing has really gone downhill. She couldn’t even hear the phone ringing. Now she answers straight away!’
‘We bought this for my brother who has failing eyesight and is getting deaf. Prior to this he was having a hard time seeing the buttons and hearing that ringing of his last phone.’
Price: £37.99
Are you worried about a loved one?
Amplicomms PowerTel 196 – Big Button Phone for Elderly with Display
This Amplicomms phone for hard of hearing is a great option for older people who struggle to hear when using the phone.
The volume can be increased considerably to ensure phone calls ring loudly and are easy to hear down the line.
Key features:
- Adjustable ringer volume that can be increased up to 90 dB
- Visual ring indicator for incoming calls
- When on a call the audio can be increased to 60dB
- Hearing aid compatible
- Corded design
This phone is great for:
Older people who use hearing aids and need a loud phone to stay connected to friends and family.
What the reviews say:
‘The volume for listening to incoming calls is excellent and should be suitable for the majority of hard of hearing users.’
‘My hearing is so poor that I need an amplified telephone. This one exceeds the volume needed. It has a good directory for storing numbers, and I’m sure it will prove to be very useful.’
‘My 80 year old parents are pleased with this phone. It has a loud ring and they can hear better when answering it.’
Price: £78.00
Products and services for elderly loved ones
Want to help your loved one live independently at home?
These essential home adaptations and products can make a real difference.
BT 61130 Big Button 200 Corded Telephone
This corded design by BT is a favourite of the phones for hard of hearing.
With its easy to use design this handset makes calls easier to hear and a more pleasant experience for all.
It also has extra large buttons to help people with dexterity issues and you can go hands free if preferred.
Call features include holding up to 13 regularly used numbers and even a 1571 last number redial button.
Key features:
- Message waiting and incoming call indicator
- Ringer volume control
- Volume control for speech
- Hearing aid compatible
- Amplified incoming or outgoing speech
This phone is great for:
Anyone with sight, hearing or dexterity challenges as its range of features covers all bases to ensure easy use.
What the reviews say:
‘Perfect for a visually impaired older lady who also has hearing problems… the volume button works a treat for her during calls. Easy to use…simple and uncomplicated.’
‘Bought for my mum who has hearing and sight problems. She finds it easy to use and loves the hands free option’
Price: £30.00
Geemarc Amplipower 50 – Amplified Corded Telephone
This phone comes with a warning of an ‘acoustic shock’ for people who don’t have any hearing impairment.
Which suggests it’s one of the loudest phones for hard of hearing people.
Key features:
- Adjustable ringer volume that can be increased up to 80 dB
- When on a call the audio can be increased to 60dB
- Hearing aid compatible – put your hearing aids on the “T” setting
- Corded design
- 12 memory speed dial buttons
- Speakerphone
This phone is great for:
People with moderate to severe hearing impairment who use hearing aids.
What the reviews say:
‘Far superior to the other “loud” phones we tried – although quite a bit more expensive too, but worth it. Easy to operate, loud ring, and can amplify noise considerably.’
‘It is definitely about 10 times louder than a standard and easily 4 or 5 times louder than the amplified ones we have tried in terms of call volume.’
Price: £98.92
Swissvoice 2355 Single Cordless Big Button Phone for Elderly
This phone for the hard of hearing has large numbers, a loud ring and flashing lights on both the base station and the handset.
It also uses large, raised, talking keys to make dialling easier for hearing and sight impaired people.
- Adjustable ringer volume that can be increased up to 90 dB
- When on a call the audio can be increased by 40dB
- 4 easy to program photo memory buttons
- Answering machine with slow message playback mode
- Base station with handsfree mode
This phone is great for:
People with sight and hearing impairment, as well as those needing memory help with speed dial contacts.
What the reviews say:
‘The extra hard of hearing button on the boosts the treble which works excellently. Highly recommended!’
‘On this one, it rings on the hand phone and on the base so doubly loud! Also if someone rings and she doesn’t answer, it rings louder if they ring again in 5 mins.’
‘The telephone is easy to set up, is very visible and is therefore easy to find when my elderly mother puts it down somewhere.
‘The adjustment for loudspeaker is the most effective I have found on any telephone. I have no hesitation in recommending it.’
Price: £69.99
Are you worried about a loved one?
If you found this guide useful then you might like to check out these guides on:
Worried about your loved one?
If you’re worried that an elderly relative is struggling alone at home, it may be time to get some help.
Enter their care needs into the Sweet Pea platform to get personalised care matches in their local area.
From finding companionship to prevent isolation or someone to help around the home, let Sweet Pea guide you to the right care.
Just click below.