Amplified big button phones for seniors are designed for older eyes, the hearing impaired and those with memory issues. They help remove the frustration and guesswork that typically accompany making calls as aging progresses.
It is well documented that the unavoidable changes in seniors and the elderly as they age are difficulty hearing, difficulty seeing and reading smaller printed material, and reduced dexterity.
Many seniors and the elderly still prefer the use of their corded landlines because they are more comfortable with them. There are however several models of big button amplified phones that they can choose from, although making a choice can be overwhelming.
This article provides you with a starting point through a general quick round-up review of some of the more popular models.
General Features of Amplified Big Button Phones For Seniors
Big button phones are senior -friendly and have several features for making calling easier. Seniors or their caregivers seek “peace of mind features“. These big button phones
- Have larger buttons with bigger and bolder text designed to make dialing easy for users with low vision or dexterity limitations.
- May have large LCD screens and back lit buttons to make viewing the numbers and Caller ID easier. Most regular phones have screens which are simply not lit brightly enough for seniors with low vision
- Have amplified calling and amplified (extra loud) or flashing ringers, to make function effectively for reduced hearing individuals
Extra Large Button Key Pad
Large button phones are much easier to operate than traditional design models because they provide key pad button controls that are easier to see and audio that is easier to hear.
Amplified big button phone models are designed specifically for seniors and those with memory loss, hearing problems or poor eyesight, unsteady hands, and those who might be frustrated trying to use a regular phone.
Older adults make more mistakes when dialing because of the smaller buttons on regular phones. This is because of deteriorating vision with age, as it becomes more difficult to recognize the small numbers on the phone buttons.
Large button phones come in traditional desktop and wall-mounted units, but there are also cordless models with extra handsets available, so phones can be placed in multiple locations throughout the house.
Most are designed for use with traditional land lines, but Bluetooth models that take advantage of cellular service are also available.
LCD Color Screen with Large Font
It is not only large buttons that make it easier to use these amplified phones. A clear LCD screen with large font also make it suitable for use by seniors and the elderly.
The lighting in these screens also ensures better readability of the content, even in poor surrounding light conditions. LCD screens display important information, such as caller ID.
Although there are several options available with LCD screens, there are much fewer models with good back lighting, and well contrasting text.
If you are selecting a big button digital phone type, larger LCD screens should be your preference so that you are not straining your eyes.
There are many more model options without LCD screens and some at first glance look identical. However, they are not. Always check the specifications carefully.
Loud Audio
If the radio or TV is on, it can sometimes be difficult to hear the phone ringing. A unit with an additional “extra loud” button offers optimum convenience. The volume can be doubled simply by pushing a button, which means you can hear not just the phone, but also the person on the other end.
Even elderly people who use hearing aids can rely on compatible phones. Furthermore, there are models that employ a visual signal to indicate when the phone is ringing.
Speaker Phone – Big Button Cordless Phones for Seniors
Amplified phones are perfect for those that are visually impaired or for those who need a loud speakerphone option. Each phone is equipped with an emergency 911 button, redial and speakerphone button.
Speakerphones are good for hands-free calls and for those with limited eyesight or hand strength. Some seniors do not like corded phones and have a preference for big button cordless phones for seniors instead. If you are buying a phone as a gift, ensure you find out the preference of the senior.
Other Options – Big Button Phones for Seniors
- Talk back function: Some phones with a speaker system have a talk back function that calls out numbers as they are dialed.
- Enhanced safety features: This includes digital captioning of each conversation and display of a written log on large screen, making it far easier for hard-of-hearing seniors to carry on a conversation. Some models function as a security monitor. They provide a wrist bracelet with an emergency button that automatically dials family, neighbors and first responders in case of a medical issue or problem.
- Answering machine: This ensures that no calls or messages are missed when even when there is nobody is at home.
- Contacts directory, Emergency speed-dial functions and Programmable buttons make it easier to dial family, friends or emergency numbers
- Compatibility with Hearing Aids: If you wear hearing aids, ensure that this is one of the features of specifications you check before you buy as your hearing aids will not work with all phones. Some examples of these big button phones for seniors are provided below. Finding good hearing aid compatible phones is like looking for a needle in a haystack!
Options – Amplified Corded Big Button Phones For Seniors
There is a wide choice of big button amplified corded phones on the market.
It is difficult to easily compare most of them because the criteria presented by various manufacturers for comparison are different.
This article provides a quick overview comparison of the top rated models on the market in an easy format to help in your decision-making.
NO LCD VISUAL SCREEN
1. HOME INTUITION Amplified Single Line Corded Desk Telephone
- Product Dimensions :20.5 x 18.21 x 8.89 cm
- Dialer Type: Single Keypad
- No Display Dial
- Desktop / Wall Mount
- Bell Ringer / Volume Control on inside of Handset
- 9 Foot Cord
- Compatible with Hearing Aids <<—-
2. Acenis Corded Landline Telephone – Large Buttons and One-Touch Dialing for Visually Impaired – 80 dB Amplified Ringer for Hearing Impaired
Product details
- Product Dimensions :16.0 x 19.49 x 8.00 cm
- For Hearing and Visually Impaired Seniors
- Dialer Type: Single Keypad
- No Display Dial
- Ergonomic Non Slip
- Desk and Wall Mountable
- Amplified Ringer
- SOS Emergency Button
- Recording Capacity: 22 minutes
3. Geemarc CL100 Big Button Phone for Seniors – 30 dB Amplified Corded Phone with Visual Indicator – Telephones for Hearing Impaired
Product description
- Product Dimensions : 19.05 x 20.32 x 7.62 cm
- Dialer Type: Single Keypad
- No Display Dial
- Phone for Visually Impaired has (2) emergency Call System Buttons
- 9 One-Touch Memory Buttons: Even if the phone line is Unplugged, the Stored Memories Will Not Disappear.
- Amplified Speaker
- Top Right-hand Corner of Phone has Amplifier On/ Off button. You can have the Telephone Set so that When You Pick Up Handset the Phone is Amplified or You can have it set at regular volume.
- If your voice is a little weak then the CL100 has an outgoing voice amplifier (-/+4dB) to give your voice a little boost.
- Bright Ring Flashing Light
- Desktop / Wall Mount
- Compatible with Hearing Aids <<—-
4. FUTURE CALL Big Button Corded Phone with 40dB Handset Volume
Product description
- Product Dimensions : 17.8 x 20.3 x 8.9 cms
- Dialer Type: Single Keypad
- No Display Dial
- No Caller Identification
- Volume Control on Handset up to 40dB Amplification
- Speed Dial Memory Backup
- Bright LCD Ring Flashing Light
- Emergency Call Button
- Compatible with Hearing Aids <<—-
SPEED DIAL PHOTO FRAME BUTTONS
5. CLEARSOUNDS CSC500 Amplified Landline Phone with Speakerphone and Photo Frame Buttons
Product details
- Telephone Type: Dual-SIM
- Product Dimensions :23.5 x 15.24 x 5.72 cm
- Dialer Type: Single Keypad
- Small Display Dial
- Volume Control up to 40dB Amplification
- Tone Level Control for Enhanced Speech Clarity
- 8 Photo Speed Dial Buttons
- Ringer Flasher / Ringer Amplification > 85dB
- Desk or Wall Mount
- Compatible with Hearing Aids with T-Coil and Cochlear implants <<—-
6. VTech SN1127 Amplified Corded Answering System with 8 Photo Speed Dial, 90dB Ringer Volume
Product description
- Product Dimensions : 220 x 105 x 205cm
- Dialer Type: Single Keypad
- No Display Dial
- 90dB Extra-Loud Visual Ringer
- 8 Photo Speed Dial Keys
- 22 Minutes Calling Time
- Bright LCD Ring Flashing Light
- Full Duplex Speakerphone
- Dedicated Emergency Speed Dial Key
DIGITAL OPTIONS
7. AT&T ATTTL7612 ATT DECT 6.0 Cordless Headset with Handset Lifter
Product details
- Telephone Type: Digital
- Product Dimensions :20.1 x 22.4 x 9.4 cm
- Dialer Type: Single Keypad
- Caller Identification / Call Waiting
- Ringer Volume Control
- Backlit Display Dial
- Mute/ Flash/ Last Number Redial / Voice Prompts
- Digital Answering Machine
- English / French / Spanish Language Set-up
Conclusion – Big Button Phones for Seniors
It is necessary that seniors and the elderly maintain a quality of life that allows them to continue to communicate with their family and friends. They must also be able to communicate in the event of an emergency.
Because of their reduced vision, hearing and sometimes unsteady hand movements, they require big button phones for seniors that are designed to address these conditions.
Big button phones for seniors come in various models and many seniors or their caregivers find deciding on which one to buy quite overwhelming. This article gets you started on this exercise by comparing the general specifications and functionality of the more popular models.
Leave a comment below if you find this article informative or if you have a question.
Related Articles
- Easy to Use Phones for Seniors. Peace of Mind Features
- Amplified Cordless Phones for Seniors. Are they Better?
- Top Rated Hearing Amplifiers – Do They Work?
References
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders – NIDCD (2012)https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/age-which-hearing-loss-begins
Hi
This is a very interesting subject. I can see how many older people prefer technology that is familiar to them and are more comfortable using corded phones than smartphones. As automated speech to text becomes more common I do think it is likely we will see more phones incorporate this breakthrough technology as it is already such a boon for people who are deaf.
Being an engineer myself I find I am not able to stop imagining technical solutions to certain problems. An example would be – you said it is often hard to hear the phone ringing when the TV is on, because if older people are watching with high volume. Then one solution would be to include a port on the TV that allows you to connect the phone to the TV. Then you can write software that makes a visual sign on the TV that the phone is ringing. If you incorporate that with automated speech to text then you can display the text, i.e. captions of the phone conversation on the TV screen making it really easy to see.
I am also getting close to retirement and I find already there are so many manuals or labels on equipment that I am just unable to read. I have to go with a magnifying glass and a flashlight.
Actually, all these features are just part of accessibility and we should all be trying to make our world more accessible for all of us.
Thanks for highlighting these important devices.
Best regards
Andy
Hi Andy,
There are some interesting and helpful gadgets out there including automated speech to text which you mentioned. I will be writing a post on this shortly, so stay tuned. You idea makes sound logic…..perhaps you could explore its feasibility and whether anyone out there is trudging down the same path. It could be a money making opportunity!
Thanks
Ceci
This is such great information. My parents are elderly and hard of hearing, but I never thought about the convenience of these types of phone. I appreciate how you explained the benefits and you made complete sense. Thanks for the comparison of what’s available as well. I will definitely be looking into them because of your valuable information.
Delighted that you found value in the article Yvette.
Ceci
Hey Ceci
I think that as far as inventions are concerned we have come a long way in many fields. But with inventions within the technological far, we really have come far.
Especially with the telephone.
With respect to the telephone, do you remember the wall-mounted rotary phones from the good old school days? And now we have phones for seniors that are advanced with features to make their lives easier and in many cases, can also also save their lives.
I think a phone to have the feature to allow the elderly to quickly contact their neighbor or loved one with the built-in speed-dial and memory feature is amazing.
Yes, I know that these fetaured might be standard in your usual android and iPhone, but as you mentioned when we grow old, our eyesight diminishes and our movements are not that great. It’s in these times, less is more, and is way better.
There are some cool options you listed above. I prefer the ones that have a hearing aid compatibility.
Thanks for all the help
Regards
Roopesh
I
Yes Roopesh, telephones have come a very long way since they were first made! I believe there will continue to be improvements on them.
Note however that the phones that are hearing aid compatible are only of value to those who use hearing aids.
Ceci