Senior-Friendly Cell Phones How do you choose the perfect cell phone when there are so many choices?
Here are a few tips to help you pick a senior-friendly cell phone that will help you communicate with friends and family.
Your first tip is to look for a phone designed specifically for seniors, such as the Doro PhoneEasy. Through an exclusive arrangement, Consumer Cellular is the only cell service provider in the U.S. to carry the Doro phone at this time.
The Doro phone is the perfect communication device for seniors, people with limited dexterity, or those who might be partially sighted or hard of hearing. It features an easy-to-read color display, with large text and fonts, and a host of other useful features, from speakerphone to Bluetooth wireless technology. And it’s Hearing Aid Compatible (T3/M3).
Each phone style has its tradeoffs. As cell phones get smaller, they do get easier to carry around, but they can also be harder to use for senior citizens. When deciding on a phone, here are some things to consider:
The Doro PhoneEasy 410: The Perfect Cell Phone for Seniors
The Doro PhoneEasy 410Flip Phone: When the PhoneEasy 410 rings, just flip it open to answer. When closed, the keypad is protected so you won't have to worry about placing an unexpected call to Australia. It's stylish, easy to grip, and light-weight.
Display: With the PhoneEasy 410, you can throw away that magnifying lens. The display is bright, clear, and colorful, and presents text large enough to actually see. From now on, squinting at your cell phone will be a thing of the past.
Keypad: You don't need the manual dexterity of a dentist to press keys on the PhoneEasy 410. The large keypad is slightly raised, like a computer keyboard, and each key is clearly separated, making it a snap to use.
Speakerphone: The speakerphone on the PhoneEasy 410 gives you a hands-free calling option and is powerful enough to project up to 3 feet. If you use a hearing aid, for example, the speakerphone mode will reduce any feedback you might be experiencing. Sound is loud and clear.
Safety First: A cell phone should be available and easy to use in an emergency. That's why the back of the PhoneEasy 410 includes an emergency button for contacting help when needed. Simply press and hold the button and your emergency message will be on its way. Think of it as your one-push speed dial.
More about the Doror PhoneEasy™ : Award-Winning, Ergonomic Designs
Consumer Cellular offers two styles of Doro phones.
Doro products have been developed in collaboration with Ergonomidesign, renowned specialists in the field of inclusive design, otherwise known as design for everyone, including individuals with special needs.
Their collaboration has resulted in several award-winning telephones and mobile phones, and even a very simple to operate TV remote control. In 2008, Doro product designs won the French Janus Award, a BIO 21 Honorable Mention and, most notably, the IDEA® Bronze Award. More recently, Doro won the Stevie Wonder and Friends Vision Free Product Award at the 2009 International Consumer Electronics Show (CES) in Las Vegas.
Learn more: Doro PhoneEasy 345 | Doro PhoneEasy 410.
What about Hearing Aids?
Many cell phones on the market today are designed to work with (or at least not interfere with) hearing aids. The FCC regulates the classification of hearing aid compatible phones.* Those that are compatible with hearing aids are identified with a rating of M3/T3 (good) or M4/T4 (excellent). The “M” stands for microphone and the “T” stands for telecoil coupling, or t-coil. While these ratings are useful, it is still best to actually try out the phone to make sure it works well with your particular hearing device.
Most of the phones offered by Consumer Cellular are hearing aid compatible. You can use our cell phone comparison tool to help you select the cell phone which will best meet your needs.
*See Center for Hearing Loss Help for more detailed information. http://www.hearinglosshelp.com/index.htm
