This article on the Top Cordless Phones for Seniors Clarity XLC Series compares the similarities and differences between four phone models from the Clarity brand.
Take a look at these cordless phones and you seem to think that they are identical. They are not. The main difference appears to be with their model numbers – XLC2+, XLC3.4, XLC3.4+ and XLC8.
However, product information provided by the manufacturers and their merchants are cumbersome and not easy to compare.
When seniors, the elderly or their caregivers desire to purchase a cordless phone to improve either their hearing impairment or reduced vision, it should be easy for them to compare phone specifications and features.
This helps them make a reasoned decision that suits their situation and budget.
IMPORTANT UPDATE: Since the time this article was written over 2 years ago, these 5 models of the Clarity XLC series for seniors have drastically dropped in popularity.
General Features of the Clarity XLC Series
The four models are all amplified cordless telephones with digital answering machines. They are specially designed for everyone affected by mild and moderate hearing loss. General features include what are referred to as “senior features”, convenience and special features.
SENIOR FEATURES – CORDLESS PHONES FOR SENIORS
Amplification of Incoming and Outgoing Caller Voice
- Extra loud and clear digital amplification up to 50 dB with 3-4 tone control settings (depending on model)
- Amplifies outgoing speech up to 15 dB for callers to hear you
- Loud, clear speaker phone for hands free conversations
- Interference free and wide range
- Have amplified calling and amplified (extra loud) or flashing ringers, to function effectively for reduced hearing individuals
Visual and Talking Caller ID
- Extra loud flashing ringer with adjustable tones and voicemail indicator
- High contrast LCD Caller ID screen with large font in either English, Spanish or French,
- Large buttons on the talking dial pad are illuminated and speak the number being pushed in either English or French
- The combination of Clarity’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
CONVENIENCE & SPECIAL FEATURES
- For use by people with severe hearing loss
- Hearing aid compatible and TIA-1083 compliant
- Dual Power Built-in Battery Backup, Speaker phone, Talking Caller ID, Talking Digit Keypad and Phone book, Intercom, DECT 6.0 Plus for optimum signal range, Phone Book Voice messaging. Phone system is expandable up to 4 handsets.
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors – CLARITY XLC2+ DECT 6.0 Amplified Big-Button Speakerphone with Talking Caller ID
Product details – Unique Features
- Item Weight: 907 grams – Light
- Product Dimensions :9.7 x 27.3 x 25.4 cm
- Color: White
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 95 dB
- This model does not have a Caller ID screen. Rather, it has large, high contrast buttons which are easy to press and see, and speak the numbers as they are dialed, while the handset speaks the number of the incoming caller.
- Direct connection to assistive listening devices or headset (2.5mm or 3.5mm)
- Battery cell composition: NiMH
- 2 AA batteries required
- Wall mountable and mount included
- One (1) year warranty
- Hearing aid compatible and TIA-1083 compliant
Top Rated Cordless Phones for Seniors – CLARITY XLC3.4 DECT 6.0 Extra-Loud Big Button Amplified Cordless Phone with Talking Caller-ID
Product details – Unique Features
- Item Weight: 1.04 kg
- Product Dimensions :13.46 x 11.43 x 9.14 cm
- Color: White
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 95 dB and 4 different tone options
- This model has a Caller ID screen in addition to a Talking dial pad, while the handset speaks the number of the incoming caller.
- Battery cell composition: NiMH
- 3 AAA batteries required (included)
- Wall mountable and mount included
- One (1) year warranty
- Hearing aid compatible and TIA-1083 compliant
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors – CLARITY XLC3.4+ DECT 6.0 Severe Hearing Loss Amplified Cordless Phone
Product details – Unique Features
- Item Weight: 1.01 kg
- Product Dimensions :9.4 x 26.9 x 25.4 cm
- Color: White
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 95 dB and 4 different tone options
- This model has a Caller ID screen in addition to a Talking dial pad, while the handset speaks the number of the incoming caller.
- T-coil technology available to enhance your hearing in difficult listening environments.
- Direct connection to assistive listening devices or headset (2.5mm or 3.5mm)
- Expandable up to 4 handsets
- Battery cell composition: NiMH
- 3 AAA batteries required (included)
- Wall mountable; mount included
- One (1) year warranty
- Hearing aid compatible and TIA-1083 compliant
Cordless Phones for Seniors Hard of Hearing- CLARITY XLC3.6+HS Severe Hearing Amplified Cordless Handset Phone
Product details – Unique Features
- Expandable Handset to use with the Clarity XLC3.4+HS. THIS PHONE WILL NOT FUNCTION ON ITS OWN.
- Item Weight: 680 gm
- Product Dimensions :9.4 x 21.84 x 23.11 cm
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 95 dB
- Battery cell composition: Lithium ion
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors – CLARITY XLC8 Dect 6.0 Extra Loud Big button Amplified Cordless Phone
Product details – Unique Features – Cordless Phones For Seniors With Answering Machine
- Item Weight: 1.01 kg
- Product Dimensions :9.4 x 26.9 x 25.4 cm
- Color: White
- Amplified caller voice volume up to 50 dB
- Set ringer tone volumes up to 95 dB and 4 different tone options
- This model has a Caller ID screen in addition to a Talking dial pad, while the handset speaks the number of the incoming caller.
- Answering machine
- Live slow talk feature to slow down real-time conversations and messages on the answering machine
- Call blocker/Call screening to block unwanted calls
- Direct connection to assistive listening devices or headset (2.5mm or 3.5mm)
- Expandable up to 4 handsets
- Battery cell composition: NiMH
- 3 AAA batteries required (included)
- Wall mountable and mount included
- One (1) year warranty
- Hearing aid compatible and TIA-1083 compliant
Conclusion – Top Cordless Phones for Seniors
A round-up comparison of four models of “Top Cordless Phones for Seniors Clarity XLC Series” although similar in build have some unique and differentiating features.
They are all designed to address severe hearing loss and are Hearing aid compatible. The differences in build reflect differences in specification and features.
Aging is usually accompanied by poor and reduced vision and hearing.
Special phones with big buttons address these conditions and popular top cordless phones for seniors include the models from Clarity XLC Series and Panasonic KX-TGM400 series.
Four models of the Clarity XLC Series (XLC2+, XLC3.4, XLC3.4+ and XLC8) look very similar and this article provides information that clearly highlights their similarities and differences to guide you to your decision of choice.
The article compares the four models using general product specifications, functionality design features and convenience features.
Leave a comment below if you find the article informative or if you have a question.
Related Article
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors. Popular Panasonic KXTGM 400 Series
References
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders – NIDCD (2012)https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/age-which-hearing-loss-begins
Hey,
It’s great that I have came across this article because I know my parents need one of these cordless phones. My Mum doesn’t have a mobile phone because she doesn’t know how to work them and is too stubborn to learn 🙂
So, I think I would get into her good books if I bought her a cordless phone that she could place in the living room or wherever and she wouldn’t have to keep getting up to answer the house phone all the time.
I will let you know which phone I decide on and what my Mum thinks of it. Hopefully she will like it and it works well for her.
Thank you for sharing and keep up the great work.
All the best,
Tom
Hi Tom, I think you would get into her good books indeed if you bought her a cordless phone! I might suggest that reading this review may help.
Panasonic Cordless Phone Review – KXTGM450S Seniors Model
Ceci
Appreciate this post. You do not realize the importance of this until you have parents who are now seniors. The cordless is clearly the way to go but it would probably surprise you how many seniors still have the phones with the cords attached to them, which would be a serious health concern for trips and falls.
I also liked how the buttons on the phones were extra large for people with trouble seeing clearly.
As well the extra loud and amplified speech would be helpful for people who are hard of hearing.
Thanks again, I am sure this post will help a lot of people.
Hello Rob,
Thanks for the comment. There are several articles and review on both corded, cordless and big button phones on this site that you may find helpful. I include two of them below”
1. Easy To Use Phones For Seniors. Peace of Mind Features
2. Clarity Phone Reviews – Corded CLAR545051 Seniors Model
Ceci
This was such a great article, Thank you laying it out well. My uncle is a senior and has compllained about the latestet technology that it is so complicated and nothing is even made for the only people.
I am sure he will like this when I show him.
I especially liked the CLARITY XLC3.4 DECT 6.0 because of its features like a big display screen which is easy to read and the pictures depicts it very well.
I’m sure your uncle will like the Clarity XLC3.4 DECT 6.0.You might also wish to check my article on the Panasonic KXTGM400 Series cordless phones as well. I provide the link
Top Cordless Phones for Seniors – Panasonic KXTGM400 Series
Ceci
Very detailed and analytical article, thank you!
These are some great options, not only for seniors, but also for those with mobility issues or handicaps.
Thanks for doing all the hard research work for us!
Hi Andrea – I am quite happy to do all the “heavy-lifting” research work!
Thanks for the read.
Ceci
I didn’t realize cordless phones are helpful for senior people. When I was a child we bought two different types of cordless. It was always fun using them. But now I see how useful these phones are for seniors especially the big buttons you mentioned. Thanks for sharing this detailed review about cordless phones.
Thanks for the read and comment Kavitha!
Hi
Thank you for doing the research for these amazing phones.
I was looking for something like this for a friend a couple of years ago, and suspect that I will be returning to this issue again for someone else.
I was especially pleased to see that these can be shipped to the UK, by using the link to the appropriate supplier. So much better than the one I bought previously. It looks like some real thought has gone into creating these.
All the best
Julia
Really delighted that you found value in the article Julia! Please visit again or join our newsletter, so that you don’t miss out on new and interesting articles.
Ceci
Hi Ceci,
The flashing ringers is what sticks out to me. My parents aren’t at an age yet where they would possibly need a landline again but something visual is super important when it comes to a phone call. You also never know when it could be an emergency call! I used to work in Property Management and a lot of my senior residents and even younger ones with hearing disabilities would have phones that flashes rapidly and brightly.
I specifically like the last one listed because it has the slow down feature! I know I can get to talking fast and sometimes my grandparents tell me to slow down haha!
Totally agree with you Haley!The visual flashing feature is probably one of the best features on a phone to help users know that they have a call. The voice slow down feature is a great innovation as well!
Ceci
THANK YOU FOR THE HELPFUL INFORMATIOM.
I HAVE A XLC3.4+ CLARIYY CORDLESS PHONE I LOST THE POWER SUPPLY CAN I USE A POWER SUPPLY FRON A XLC2 ? CAN I USE ANOTHER AT&T CORDLESS ON THE SAME LINE ?
THANK YOU
Glad that you found value in the article Gene! The power bars for the KLC3.4+ and XLC2 appear to be universal and should work unless the phone plug-in end does not fit. It is unlikely that AT&T cordless will work on the same power bar. It should have its’ own bar. However, if the service provider carrier remains unchanged, you can use any phone on the line.
Hope this helps.
Ceci