Mobile phones
Mobile phones This factsheet is part of our Equipment range. It is written for people with hearing loss who want to know more about what mobile phones might be suitable for them. We use ‘people with hearing loss’ to refer to people with all levels of hearing loss. Read this factsheet to find out about: •
How do I buy a mobile phone?
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How do I choose a mobile network?
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How do I pay for my calls?
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What are the different payment plan options?
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Can I get equipment to help reduce interference with hearing aids?
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What is SMS and MMS text messaging?
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Can I receive email and instant messages on my mobile?
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What is third generation (3G) technology?
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Where can I get further information?
If you would like this factsheet on audio tape, in Braille or in large print, please contact our helpline – see front page for contact details.
How do I buy a mobile phone? All high streets have mobile phone shops. It is a good idea to visit a number of them so you can see and try out different handsets. Always shop around, as you will find differences in prices and products. Some companies offer better deals online. When choosing your mobile phone, you need to think about: •
size
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cost
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volume and sound quality
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tactile feedback on controls
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predictive texting
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compatibility with your hearing aids
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speakerphone
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Bluetooth wireless technology
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making calls abroad.
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Size Although a smaller phone will be easier to carry, it will probably have smaller controls and display, making it fiddly to use. Good-sized keys, clear labelling, a large, clear screen and simple functions make phones easier to use. You may prefer one with a colour screen as this makes the menu options easier to understand and use. You will find phones with keys on their front, those that open in a ‘clamshell’ design and others where the keypad slides from beneath the screen. Try out different designs to see which suits you best.
Volume and sound quality It is vital that you can easily hold a conversation on the phone. Volume and sound quality vary widely between models, so when you are in a shop, ask if you can make a call on more than one phone so you can compare their performance. Make sure that you are happy with the volume and sound clarity before you buy. You can usually adjust the volume on your mobile phone so you can hear what someone is saying more easily. With some models this means taking the phone away from your ear, adjusting the volume and then listening again, so you miss some of the conversation. If the phone has volume controls on its side then you can adjust the volume while speaking or listening. This is a good feature which many people find very useful. However, problems with hearing phone conversations are often more to do with sound quality than volume, so you might find that increasing the volume does not help.
Compatibility with your hearing aids Most mobile phones cause interference when used with hearing aids, so it is vital to check before you buy. If the shop will not let you do this, then go to another shop where they are more helpful. There are a small number of mobile phones which work really well on a T setting – we stock them in our online shop (see page 9). Also, see ‘Can I get equipment to help reduce interference with hearing aids?’ on page 6.
Speakerphone Most modern mobiles have a speakerphone allowing you to use the phone handsfree and at high volume. Many people with hearing loss find this feature useful, but do be aware that your calls won’t be private and the volumes can be very loud indeed. Mobile phones vary greatly in their speakerphone performance and high speakerphone volume often comes at a price of poor sound quality and noticeable sound distortion. So choose wisely, and do try them out in the shop if possible.
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Making calls abroad If you would like to use your mobile abroad, you should look at what band it is. Dual band phones can be used throughout Europe and in many other countries. If you’re travelling to Africa, Asia, Australia or most of the USA then you’ll need tri band. Other places need a quad band phone. Making calls to and from abroad has an obvious increase in costs so check how much it will cost you to connect to a call and the price per minute.
Bluetooth wireless technology Many mobile phones now have Bluetooth wireless technology which allows products to communicate with each other. It will allow you to use your mobile with a Bluetooth headset or neckloop, which is an advantage if you wear hearing aids. We advise that you check that the phone will connect to your Bluetooth device before you buy. It is also a good idea to see how easy it is to access the Bluetooth option from the menu.
Tactile feedback on controls If you are profoundly deaf, controls with good tactile feedback can be another useful feature. These keys are designed so that you can feel a definite ‘click’ when you operate them properly. Some newer phones such as ‘smartphones’ are touch-screen and so have no tactile feedback.
Cost The cost of buying a mobile phone will depend on many things including what features it has and how new the model is. How much it costs to use will depend on how you choose to pay for your calls. For example, some phones come with free call minutes or are included free with a monthly payment plan (see ‘How do I pay for my calls?’ on page 5). If you are getting a mobile phone as part of a contract, your shop or provider will usually give you at least a week to make sure that you are happy with the phone before you commit to the contract. Some contracts last 12, 18 or 24 months and often require a credit check. Check how long you have to try the phone out. If you are not happy with the volume or sound quality, ask for a replacement.
Do you have difficulty using small or awkward equipment? A lot of equipment has tiny and often fiddly buttons and other controls. Sometimes equipment might just be an awkward shape or difficult to grip. If you have these difficulties, it is particularly important to try out a mobile phone first before you buy. Ask yourself: • Are the buttons easy to press? • Can you use any other controls easily? Mobile phones, Action on Hearing Loss Information, May 2011
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• Can you hold the mobile phone comfortably? • Is the equipment a suitable weight – not too light or too heavy? • Is the display screen large enough for you to read what is on it?
How do I choose a mobile network? There are many different mobile phone providers available including traditional mobile phone companies, television and internet service providers and supermarkets, so shop around. Most of the major mobile phone networks have shops on the high street. They all offer good national coverage but check how good reception is in your area. Network providers and some websites can show you the network coverage in your area if you enter your postcode.
How do I pay for my calls? Mobile networks offer many different ways to pay for calls, so you will have to decide which one suits you best. Don’t be taken in by what appears to be a good deal. Decide when and how you are most likely to use your mobile and choose a deal that gives you the best value for your needs. You will be able to choose from a range of options. •
Some networks offer different priced calls at different times of the day.
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Many networks also offer different priced calls depending on whether you call another mobile network or a landline.
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You may receive a certain amount of ‘free’ calls or text messages.
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Most networks offer special handset deals.
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Most networks offer text-only tariffs
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Most tariffs include internet access.
What are the different payment plan options? Monthly payment plan This normally includes the phone line rental and an agreed number of free calls and text messages every month. This is ideal if you use your phone a lot. The price of these plans will depend on the combination of call minutes, text messages or other services you choose. These plans normally offer you a free phone, the model offered will depend upon the package you choose and how long you agree to sign up for. Some packages will cover calls at any time of the day whereas others may specify off-peak calls only, so be sure to check all the details. Some packages offer unlimited text messaging.
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Pre-pay Pre-pay or ‘pay as you go’ deals let you buy phone units in advance. With these deals you only pay for what you use and you are less likely to run up a large bill. However, when your pre-pay units run out you will not be able to make outgoing calls or texts until you ‘top up’. It is very easy to top-up your pre-pay phone units at places like supermarkets, shops and garages. You can also buy units over the phone with your debit or credit card, online or from cashpoints. Pre-pay deals are ideal if you are on a limited budget or make few calls. However, each call you make will tend to be more expensive than those made as part of a monthly payment plan.
Can I get equipment to help reduce interference with hearing aids? If you experience interference with your mobile phone, it may help to try using hands-free kits or listening accessories such as neckloops and ear hooks. These keep the mobile phone further away from your hearing aid and so reduce the chances of interference. They work with almost any hearing aid that has a T setting. Hands-free kits are also useful while driving. It is now illegal to make or receive telephone calls while driving a car unless you are using a hands-free kit, so these accessories can be useful in many situations. However, you can still be prosecuted for using a hands-free kit if you are not in proper control of the vehicle when using the device. Typically, a neckloop is a plastic-covered wire that you wear around your neck and connect to a small control unit. It produces an inductive output which your hearing aids will pick up when set to T. A second cable connects the control unit to your phone. You can now get Bluetooth neckloops, which work in a similar way but connect to your phone without a wire. They are more expensive but are much easier to use and more convenient because you have fewer wires. An ear loop (or ear hook) works in a similar way. You hook it behind your hearing aid and connect the cable to your phone. Both ear loops and hooks produce an inductive output that your hearing aids can pick up when set on T.
Hearing your mobile phone ring All mobile phones have a wide range of ring tones to choose from and a ringer volume that you can adjust. These can be simple tones or more complicated tunes or songs. Most mobile phones will let you download other ring tones or tunes, though you might have to pay for these, and on some you can even compose your own ring tone.
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All new models can be set to vibrate when you receive a call or text message. This is especially useful if you keep your phone in a pocket. If your phone does not vibrate, you could try using a separate vibrating belt clip or a vibrating gadget that you attach to your phone. You can buy either of these products for around £10 each. Some mobile phones have lights that light up or flash when you are receiving a call. These work well as long as you keep your phone in a visible place. You can use some multi-alerting systems to alert you to your mobile phone receiving a call. For more information, see our factsheet Sensory alerts and multi-alerting systems for the home.
What is SMS and MMS text messaging? Over recent years, SMS (short messaging service) and MMS (multi-media messaging service) text messaging have become very popular. They are cheap and simple ways to send short messages to other mobile phones. Many new digital cordless phones can also send and receive text messages, as can some corded domestic phones. Messages are usually received within a few minutes but not always. SMS text messaging is not fully interactive. This means that if you send a message, it will be some time before you receive one back, so you cannot have real time conversations using SMS. Each message usually cost about 12p (or can be part of inclusive minutes and texts bundles). MMS is similar to SMS but it lets you add pictures, video, animations and sounds to your messages. MMS has no specific benefits for people who are deaf, but it does let you take and send photos with your mobile phone. MMS messages are more expensive than SMS text messages. You can send a text message using a mobile phone, mobile communicator, or homebased SMS system (typically a cordless phone or an SMS corded phone). EmergencySMS If you cannot make voice calls, you can contact the 999 emergency services by SMS text from your mobile phone using the EmergencySMS service which has been designed specifically for people with hearing loss or speech difficulties. For more information, go to www.emergencysms.org.uk or contact our helpline.
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Mobile phones This is the most common way of sending text messages. You can send and receive text messages on almost all modern mobile phones. However some have small keys that can be fiddly to use. One way around this is to use predictive texting. This means that your phone ‘guesses’ which word you are trying to type, which can make it easier and faster to use. Phones with good-sized buttons and a large screen make text messaging easier. Mobile communicators These are mobile phones that enable communication on the move. They have many extra features and are more expensive. You can use them as personal organisers and personal digital assistants (like mini computers). You can use them to send text messages, send and receive emails or access the internet. They have a QWERTY keypad, which makes typing your message easy: the keypads are smaller versions of keyboards you find on traditional typewriters or computers. Home-based SMS systems You can buy a range of products that let you send and receive text messages from your home without having to buy a mobile phone. Many digital cordless phones let you do this as do some corded phones. Remember that a digital cordless phone might cause interference with your hearing aids.
Can I receive email and instant messages on my mobile? A growing range of mobile products now let you send and receive text by email and instant messages, as well as SMS or MMS text messaging. These products include Personal Digital Assistants (PDAs) and smartphones, but many normal mobile phones now have these abilities as well. However, if you want to have a proper text conversation (rather than send messages), it is best if your handset runs mobile textphone software. As you type, the other person will see each character on their screen almost immediately (just like with a textphone), so there are no long delays and it is easy to interrupt if you want. When you run a mobile textphone programme, you can make text calls to other textphones and you may also be able to receive text calls. By using TextDirect you can also contact hearing people who have an ordinary phone.
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What is third generation (3G) technology? Third generation (3G) mobile phones and services are now widespread in the UK. 3G technology lets you send information much faster so these mobile phones will have many new services, like the ability to send longer messages and video clips. They will also give a permanent connection to the internet so you don’t have to dial up every time you need to send an email or check information on a website. Many 3G phones will allow you to have two-way video conversations, but the picture size, quality and current frame rate make them unsuitable for lipreading or signing.
Where can I buy products that may help? We sell a range of equipment for people with hearing loss, including mobile phones. You can buy products online, or contact us to request a copy of our Solutions catalogue. 1 Haddonbrook Business Centre, Orton Southgate, Peterborough PE2 6YX Telephone 01733 361199
Textphone 01733 238020
Fax 01733 361161
[email protected]
www.actiononhearingloss.org.uk/shop
Where can I get further information? If you want to find out more about some of the subjects covered in this factsheet, you may find the following factsheets useful: •
Video communications
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Textphones
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Telephones and voice communications.
Further information from Action on Hearing Loss Our helpline offers a wide range of information on many aspects of hearing loss. You can contact us for further copies of this factsheet and our full range of factsheets and leaflets – see the cover page for contact details.
Action on Hearing Loss Information, May 2011 The Royal National Institute for Deaf People. Registered Office: 19-23 Featherstone Street, London EC1Y 8SL. A company limited by guarantee registered in England and Wales No. 454169, Registered Charity Numbers 207720 (England and Wales) and SC038926 (Scotland).
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