The Clarity Phone Reviews focus on popular phones for seniors. This review of the Clarity CLAR545051 Alto Plus amplified corded model for seniors takes a closer look at this design because of its hearing aid compatibility.
Aging typically brings along hearing related problems. There are several ways by which this can be addressed including the use of hearing devices (amplifiers and aids).
Some other people resort to reading people’s lips to fill in the gaps of their conversations. While this is possible with in-person conversations – although challenging, it is impossible with phone conversations.
Fortunately, there are several phones on the market which address this issue. One of these is the Clarity amplified corded phone CLAR545051 Alto Plus.
Table of Contents
Clarity CLAR545051 Alto Plus Product Details
SPECIFICATIONS
- Item Weight: 1.93 kg
- Product Dimensions :32.77 x 29.72 x 11.18 cm
- Color: Two-tone, Brown and Black
- Telephone Style: Corded
- Cellular Technology: GPRS
- Material Type: Plastic
- Amplification: 53dB
- Oversize, bright, Visual Ringer – Extra Loud Amplified Ringer volume – up to 100 dB
- Tone Control allows customization of the amplifier
- Caller ID Screen/ Display Type : LCD with large font
- Battery Backup
- Desk Phone only
- Jack: 2.5mm headset/ 3.5mm neck loop jack
- T-coil Technology
FEATURES
- Amplified Big Button Corded Phone
- Amplifies incoming sounds up to 53 decibels and outgoing speech up to 15 decibels
- Oversize, bright Visual Ringer
- The large, 3-Line Backlit LCD Tilting Display Screen is easy to see and read.
- Set Ringer Tone Volume up to 110 dB
- Handset Volume Control
- Big Button Illuminated Talking Keypad / Talking Caller ID
- Clarity Voice Assist Talking Keypad
- Three (3) One-touch Speed Dial Memory Buttons
- One-Touch Customer support button
- Telephone Speakerphone
- 3 One-Touch Memory Buttons
Clarity Phone Reviews – CLAR545051 Alto Plus Model
Clarity CLAR545051 is a popular choice because of its hearing aid compatibility.
Seniors need to be careful when selecting amplified phone options to ensure that they only select those compatible with their hearing aids in order not to damage them.
The CLAR545051 is suitable for people with severe hearing loss, according to the product details provided by the manufacturer.
Who Manufactures the Clarity Corded Amplified Phone CLAR545051?
Clarity is a company with a long history. Wesley Walker from North Georgia who had previously redesigned a telephone-switching card for BellSouth, used his expertise in telephony to establish his own company—Walker Equipment—what is now known as Clarity.
In 1975, the company began manufacturing handsets for public telephones. Two years later, in 1977, the company had a breakthrough with the patent of its Diode Bridge—a technology necessary for amplified handsets.
Building on its success, the company developed the world’s smallest and lightest test set in 1984.
Two years later, Plantronics acquired Walker Equipment and opened the doors to the international market for the company. In 1989, the company introduced a patented amplification technology called Clarity Power™.
By 1997, telephones made by Walker Equipment were being sold across the United States, and across Europe.
Based on the success of its Clarity Power™ products, the company changed its name to Clarity. And over the last four decades, has grown to become the U.S. leader in amplified telephony.
Several of the company’s accomplishments in the industry include: 2005 – first phone with digital sound processing ; 2008 – first cellphone for seniors; and in 2010, first remote access technology for telephones.
The Clarity brand has a wide array of products to assist with other hearing loss related needs they face as they age. These include reduced vision, mobility, dexterity and other issues.
How Does the Clarity Corded Amplified Phone CLAR545051 Work?
Audible / Visual Call Alerts
- Bright red LED visual ringers on the base unit and handsets also flash when someone calls.
- The combination of the Clarity Talking Caller ID, visual ringer and the flashing handset not only alerts you audibly and visibly to incoming calls, but also tells you who’s calling
- Built-in backup battery allows you to make and receive calls when the power goes out
Visual and Talking Caller ID
- Flashes and announces name
- Has large backlit LCD screen and easily visible buttons to make viewing the numbers and Caller ID easy as possible. The back light is bright enough for seniors with reduced vision
Amplification of Incoming and Outgoing Caller Voice
- The caller can clearly hear and be heard by the other party
- Volume is loud and clear with control for amplified caller voice volume up to 53 dB
- Has amplified calling and amplified (extra loud) flashing ringer, to function effectively for reduced hearing individuals
Clarity Phone Reviews – Convenience Features
Power Backup, Speakerphone, Talking Caller ID, Talking Digit Keypad and Phone book, 3 Speed Dial numbers and Voice messaging.
Clarity Alto Plus Phone Reviews – What Did I Think of the Product?
The Clarity CLAR545051 AltoPlus™ amplified corded telephone is designed for people with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss since the volume and tone settings are adjustable.
It is easy to use, has a loud ringer, amplified volume and a bright LCD that makes it easy to read.
It has features that enhance the use of hearing aids such as T-coil Technology and is TIA-1083 compliant for hearing aid compatibility.
Product Pros
- Simple to use – plug and play
- Excellent voice amplification
- Settings remain unchanged once programmed
- The screen is very bright and easy to read, unlike other phones where you can barely read the CID.
- Red, bright flashing light alerts when there is an incoming call and when you have a message.
Product Cons
- Only three One-Touch Memory buttons
- No Slowing of Speech in real time
- Can only store 10 names / numbers in the phone book. Really not a problem for the elderly as they don’t typically have too many people they call up.
- Not expandable
Clarity Phone Reviews Final Verdict
This article is one in a series of Clarity phone reviews. For the CLAR545051, we see that the model was designed, based on its specifications and features, to enhance the quality of life of seniors and the elderly.
The phone addresses reduced vision and hearing loss, like other special amplified phones with big buttons. However, It is also designed for people with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss.
Leave a comment below if you find the article informative or if you have a question.
Related Articles
Big Button Phones for Seniors. Why Corded Amplified Options?
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors. The Confusing Clarity XLC
References
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders – NIDCD (2012)https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/age-which-hearing-loss-begins
Clarity CLAR5455051 Alto plus
$187.14
Pros
- Simple to use
- Settings unchanged once programmed
- Excellent amplification
Cons
- No Slowing of speech in real time
- Only three one- touch memory buttons
- Not expandable
HI,
This is a great idea of inventing the phone for the elderly as normal cell phones have a lot of radiation. The phone addresses reduced vision and hearing loss, like other special amplified phones with big buttons. The best advantage of this product is that is easy to plug and play and not very complicated as they might not know how to operate, and also the screen is very bright and clear so that they can see easily. I think all these things taken into consideration to make this product is an ideal product for the elderly. I just loved this article with a crisp and detailed review of this product.
Thank you and keep up the good work.
Cheers
Thanks for the comment Samantha!
The fact that this phone is not expandable is a real disappointment. Many elderly like or NEED to have multiple phones to avoid trying to hurry to answer the only phone in the house. My 87 yr old parents have a phone in each bedroom, by each of their living room chairs and in the kitchen. I could never buy them a system that wasn’t expandable, and I believe that is likely a negative for many elderly people who would otherwise greatly benefit from this model in the Clarity line of hearing impaired phones.
I totally agree with you. Unfortunately, manufacturers do not have many models expandable. I think this has to do with the additional costs. PANASONIC is an option that is also quite popular. Check out this article for seniors: https://metamorphosishub.com/top-cordless-phones-for-seniors-panasonic-kxtgm400-series/ You find only one model in this series that is expandable.
You may also check alternative CLARITY models in this article: https://metamorphosishub.com/top-cordless-phones-for-seniors-clarity-xlc-series/. Again, only the CLARITY XLC3.4+ DECT6.0 is expandable to 4 handsets
Hope this helps
Ceci