The Panasonic Cordless Phone Review of the KXTGM450S model for seniors takes a closer look at this popular Panasonic design because it is one of the few phones that is hearing aid compatible.
Furthermore it has several feature enhancements tailored to provide a positive phone experience.
Hearing problems are common, and more so in older people. Some people suffering from hearing loss resort to reading people’s lips to fill in the gaps of their conversations.
While this is challenging even with in-person conversations, it is virtually impossible with phone conversations.
Fortunately, there are several phones on the market which address this issue. One of these is the amplified cordless phone – Panasonic KXTGM450S.
Panasonic KXTGM450S Product Details
SPECIFICATIONS
- Item Weight: 499 grams
- Product Dimensions :14.2 x 18.0 x 7.4 cm
- Color: Silver
- Telephone Style: Corded
- Wireless Standard: DECT 6.0
- GSM Frequencies: 1.9 Gz
- Material Type: Plastic
- Amplification: 50dB
- Tone Control
- Caller ID Screen/ Display Type : LCD
- Standing Screen Display Size: 1.8
- Battery Description: Rechargeable NI-MH Batteries (AAA x 2;2 already installed in the base unit at time of shipment) – Included; Battery average life – Standby is 9 days, while charging time is 7 hours
- Battery Backup
- Use on desk or wall mount.
- Mounting Hardware: AC Adapter, telephone line connector cord, belt clip, Base unit, Handset, Rechargeable AAA NiMH battery
- Jack: 2.5mm headset/neck loop jack
- Purchase additional cordless handset – KXTGMA44
FEATURES
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Visual Ringer
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 112 dB
- English and Spanish LCD display
- Talking Caller ID
- Telephone Answering Machine
- Fully charged handset provides up to 13 hours talk time and 9 days standby
- Telephone Speakerphone
- Up to 17 minutes of voice messaging
- 250 number call block
- 2.5 mm headset/neck loop jack
Why Conduct a Panasonic Cordless Phone Review for the KXTGM450S Seniors Model?
Panasonic KXTGM450S is popular because it is one of the few phones that is hearing aid compatible.
Seniors have to be careful when selecting amplified phone options and only select those compatible with their hearing aids in order not to damage them.
While there are four similar amplified cordless Panasonic KTGM400 Series, three designs are targeted towards mild to moderate hearing impairment.
Only the KXTGM450S is hearing aid compatible and for use by people with severe hearing loss, according to the manufacturer product details.
Who Manufactures the Panasonic Cordless Amplified Phone KXTGM450S?
Panasonic Corporation was formerly known as the Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. founded by Kōnosuke Matsushita in 1918 as a light bulb socket manufacturer. It is a major Japanese multinational electronics company, headquartered in Kadoma, Osaka.
In addition to consumer electronics of which it was the world’s largest maker in the late 20th century, Panasonic offers a wide range of products and services.
The company is well-known and respected for its quality product line of televisions, video projectors, digital cameras, DVD players, home appliances, laptops, rechargeable batteries, and software (Wikipedia 2021, Craft.co. 2019).
Panasonic Corporation of North America is Panasonic’s principal subsidiary in the United States. Founded in New York City at the MetLife Building in September 1959, it was known as Matsushita Electric Corporation of America (MECA) prior to 2005.
It has been headquartered in Newark, New Jersey since 2013, after being previously headquartered in Secaucus, since the 1980s both Newark and Secaucus are located within New Jersey’s Gateway Region.
How Does the Panasonic Cordless Amplified Phone KXTGM450S Work?
Audible / Visual Call Alerts
- 17 ringtone options
- Bright red LED visual ringers on the base unit and handsets also flash when someone calls.
- The combination of Panasonic’s Talking Caller ID, visual ringers and the flashing handsets alerts you audibly and visibly to incoming calls, but also tells you who’s calling
- Built-in backup battery in the base unit allows you to make and receive calls when the power goes out
Visual and Talking Caller ID
- Flashes and announces name
- Has large LCD screens and back lit, easily visible buttons to make viewing the numbers and Caller ID easier as well as choosing the six tone levels for clarifying different voice types. Most regular phones have screens which are simply not lit brightly enough for seniors with low 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 Volume Boost control for amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Has amplified calling and amplified (extra loud) or flashing ringers, to function effectively for reduced hearing individuals
- Includes six voice tone settings and a loud base unit ringer.
Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – Noise Reduction
A key feature of the phone is that it effectively suppresses background noise. This is particularly helpful as seniors who struggle to hear above surrounding noise are now able to hear with greater clarity.
Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – Slow Talk Mode To Slow the Speed of Caller Voices
- One-touch Slow Talk control automatically slows the speed of caller voices while conversing in real time. This helps understand quick-talking callers and garbled or rapid-fire voice message
- Ideal for clearer conversations, screening incoming calls and voice message playback. Slow Talk touch buttons are conveniently located on both base unit and handsets.
Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – Convenience Features
Answering machine, Power Backup, Speakerphone, Talking Caller ID, Talking Digit Keypad and Phone book, Intercom, DECT 6.0 Plus for optimum signal range, 100 Phone book entries, 9 Speed dial numbers and Voice messaging. Phone system is expandable up to five handsets.
What Did I Think of the Product?
Although the Panasonic Cordless Amplified Phone KXTGM450S model is designed with the severely hearing impaired in mind, people with mild to moderate hearing loss can also use it because the volume and tone settings can be adjusted.
It is easy to use, has a loud ringer, amplified volume and a bright LCD that makes it easy to read.
Because it has a clip on it , you can clip it onto your waistband and take the hand set around the house when necessary. Because it can be used by people with hearing aids is definitely a plus.
Multiple features set this phone apart from other brand models. The 250 number call block feature is a useful feature to help eliminate crank and scam callers.
Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – Product Pros
- Able to block unwanted calls
- The Panasonic KXTGM450S stays programmed, unlike with many others on the market. Just pick up the phone and talk as if it is a regular phone because the handset retains the last volume setting so a user does not have to increase volume every call.
- A unique SLOW button slow down speech “in real time” makes it easier to understand the person on the other end of the line.
- The ringer is nice and loud and has an outlet for earphones.
- 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.
Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – Product Cons
- The “Talk” and “End” buttons could be a bit bigger instead of being smaller than the number keys.
- A bit expensive.
Final Verdict
In this Panasonic cordless phone review – KXTGM450S, it is obvious that this model is packed with specifications and features that are meant to enhance the quality of life of seniors and the elderly.
The phone addresses poor reduced vision and hearing, like other special amplified phones with big buttons but goes a step further to target seniors who are severely hearing impaired who may wear hearing aids.
Leave a comment below if you find the article informative or if you have a question.
Related Articles
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors. Popular Panasonic KXTGM400 Series
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 Panasonic Overview 2019 https://craft.co/panasonic
Panasonic Overview 2019 https://craft.co/panasonic
Wikipedia (2021) Panasonic – Wikipedia
Panasonic KXTGM4505S
$385.06
Pros
- Hearing Aid Compatible
- Slow Button Slows Speech in Real Time
- Call Blocker and Answering Machine
Cons
- Number Keys Bigger then Talk and End Keys
- Slightly Expensive
This looks like a great phone. I love several features on this phone, such as the bright LED screen, it being hearing aid compatible, and the button that allows you to slow down the speech speed of the caller, to make sure that you understand every word even when they’re speaking fast.
It may be a little expensive, but I think that in this case you’re really paying for quality. It is important to have a good and easy-to-use phone, especially if there is an emergency. Being able to carry it around on a clip comes in quite handy.
Will they feature other languages too besides English and Spanish?
Yes Christine, I totally agree with you that the phone provides value for the money paid.
In regards to whether the manufacturers will be feature other languages besides English and Spanish in the future will depend on the demand for other languages. They will want to make sure that there is a market for it for them to do this since they will not want to suffer financial loss.
Ceci
Ceci,
This phone sounds like a perfect addition for the elderly. My Mom actually just bought a new cordless phone set, but one thing she doesn’t like about it, is it’s not very loud compared to others. I’ll have to show her this review and have her take a look at it.
Thanks for sharing this!
Katrina
Katrina – that will certainly be a great idea having your Mum read this article.
Ceci
Hi Ceci,
The growing number of elderly users along with hearing loss, demands for telephone is increasing with a louder voice and higher quality Panasonic products are meeting all needs.
Informative article, truly amazing telephone designed especially for individuals suffering from hearing impairment it can avoid the burden of unclear communication and ensures effective communication.
Great features like an amplified digital answering machine, improved range and superior transmission between base and handset, talking caller ID, highly visible keypad, and phone book.
Overall its worth purchasing product make calling easier every day!
Thanks
Cheers!
Thanks for the comment!
Ceci