No matter where you are, it seems like everyone has a cell phone.  Cell phones help us stay connected to our friends and family, and they can help us compete in the business world. 

Of the 500 or so questions we receive through the Cochlear Website each month, a good percentage of them are from Nucleus users looking for compatible cell phones.  We want the same convenience of cellular features that others enjoy in their professional and personal lives. Today’s cell phones are packed with features. New cell phone models are introduced daily that include music and video players, organizers (PDAs) and Bluetooth^®.  Products for those with hearing loss

Here is a typical cell phone question sent in by Jerry R. 

“I travel for my job and frequently need to use my cell phone while driving or when I am running to catch a flight.  I need a good “hands free” option but I don’t know what to look for.  My cell phone also has Bluetooth capability.  Are there any affordable Bluetooth accessories that would work for me?  I use the Nucleus ESPrit 3G processor but I will soon be upgrading to the Nucleus Freedom.   What are my options?”

Well Jerry, the choices can be overwhelming; especially for those of us who aren’t sure which products will be compatible with our cochlear implants while offering sufficient sound quality.  

There are many new cellular accessories on the market that work in conjunction with the telecoil feature.  You have access to a telecoil on the ESPrit 3G, as you also will on the Freedom processor.  By switching to telecoil, the telecoil-enabled accessory delivers the sound from the phone or other audio device to your processor by magnetic induction. 

There are two main types of telecoil-enabled accessories - silhouettes and neckloops.   These accessories have a cable and a plug to fit your cell phone’s headset jack.  A silhouette is a small earpiece that is placed next to the processor’s telecoil.  The neckloop is simply placed around the shoulders.  When the telecoil is activated, each of these devices delivers the sound from the phone directly through the telecoil into the cochlear implant.

As an added bonus, silhouettes and neckloops aren’t just for cell phones!  They also work with most cordless landline telephones or any phone with a “headset jack”.  Many of the products available can be converted with a plug adapter for use with audio players such as CD or MP3 players such as Ipod.

A few months ago, I bought a new cell phone that has Bluetooth.  I tried several commercial Bluetooth headsets that belong to friends and coworkers and was surprised to learn that some are telecoil compatible.  The Motorola HS850 Bluetooth Headset worked well with the telecoil and I purchased that product for my own use.   Other Bluetooth accessories that work with the Nucleus cochlear implant system are Phonak SmartLink and Starkey ELI.

View the following charts for more information:

Bluetooth Options

Telecoil Enabled Accessories

One of the programs on my ESPrit 3G has 100% telecoil so when I test products for telecoil compatibility I use that setting as I know I am not hearing through the microphone.   My other program has the telecoil programmed to mix with the microphone.  I use that program most often when I use my cell phone so I can hear my own voice.  Having both 100% telecoil, and telecoil with microphone mixing, gives me the most options for testing devices for telecoil compatibility while being able to usemy phone in a variety of environments.

For those who wish to purchase a new cell phone, there is good news.  In the U.S., the FCC now requires that 25% of handsets be “hearing aid” compatible and this label applies to cochlear implants as well.  

There are two types of ratings:  M rating and T ratings.

The M rating evaluated phones with the hearing device in microphone mode and the T rating evaluated phones with the hearing device in the telecoil mode.  Phones that have met the ANSI standard for compatibility are labeled with ratings such as M3, M4 or T3, T4.  Many cellular providers include these ratings in the details about the handset in their stores or on their Websites.

View a chart that outlines compatible cell phones, including those with M and T ratings 

What about a  Pre-paid Cellular Plan?
Cathy M. wrote asking what options are available for those who want a cell phone only for emergencies or occasional calls without being tied to a contract plan and a monthly fee. 

Individuals who only want a phone for occasional use might consider a pre-paid or  “pay-as-you-go” plan instead!  All of the major cellular providers offer this service.   You can go to the providers’ Websites for more details about the phones they offer.  

Just like contract plans, we recommend that you go to the providers’ retail stores and test the phones available under these plans.   If you are tempted to purchase a phone through a discount store, it might not work well once you have it activated.  Be sure you ask about the return policy before purchasing a phone that can’t be tested first.

Pre-paid plans are very simple.  Once the phone is selected, cellular minutes can be purchased in various amounts.  Many providers offer phone cards that can be purchased in a variety of locations such as grocery stores.  When you run out of minutes, you can simply purchase another phone card.  Pre-paid plans can be an affordable way to have the convenience of a cell phone without a long-term commitment.   Phone models are available that offer many of the same features as those available with contract plans such as voice mail and long distance calling.   Many phone models also have a standard headset jack so they are compatible with the accessories like silhouettes and neckloops that are discussed above.

If you want to stay in touch wherever you go, a cell phone could be just what you need!

Visit our Support Center for more topics

See you at the Cochlear Celebration 2007!

If you would like to try out all of the latest Cochlear products and gadgets, like cellular accessories (including activated cell phones) plan to join us at the Cochlear Celebration in San Antonio in February.   Our EXPO will be held on Saturday, February 17, 2007. 

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