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memories of the last time we used a phone which was the end of our “phone career” before receiving an implant.
This could have been quite some years ago but the memories are often still very vivid! To be a successful phone user we need confidence and the ability to get over the fear of “stuffing it up”!!
to digital which for you is not helpful! Most retailers still stock some analogue phones, you just need to ask ensuring
that they also have inbuilt telecoils. The UNIDEN SSE15 is a great phone and retails for approx $99.
just back from the earhook on the top. If you are not in the right spot the person will sound miles away. Also be aware that gravity pulls your hand down the
longer you are on the phone. Some people report that they start off hearing really well but after a couple of minutes its not so good…this is often gravity!
phone first and ask the person to hold while you change over to the T switch.
TROUBLESHOOTING
A common perception is that if you are not hearing well on the phone , it must be YOUR problem. This is not always the case! If you have implemented all of the above and are still experiencing difficulties, it is more than likely that the problem is coming from the other end. This is when you need to troubleshoot !
SOLUTION
Phone tips - A Guide to Successful Phone Use
Your success when making or receiving phone calls is dependent on several factors. I thought it would be worth recapping these as they are extremely important!
CONFIDENCE AND BEATING THE “FEAR FACTOR”
Not surprisingly, these have a huge influence as to how people cope with using the phone. Often we have terribly embarrassingmemories of the last time we used a phone which was the end of our “phone career” before receiving an implant.
This could have been quite some years ago but the memories are often still very vivid! To be a successful phone user we need confidence and the ability to get over the fear of “stuffing it up”!!
PHONE TYPE
Your implant does best with the old technology Analogue phones with inbuilt telecoils. Unfortunately the world is switchingto digital which for you is not helpful! Most retailers still stock some analogue phones, you just need to ask ensuring
that they also have inbuilt telecoils. The UNIDEN SSE15 is a great phone and retails for approx $99.
POSITIONING OF PHONE
The receiver of the phone needs to be over the top of the microphone on the processor. These microphones are situatedjust back from the earhook on the top. If you are not in the right spot the person will sound miles away. Also be aware that gravity pulls your hand down the
longer you are on the phone. Some people report that they start off hearing really well but after a couple of minutes its not so good…this is often gravity!
USING TELECOIL POSITION ON YOUR PROCESSOR
This is especially helpful when just starting to use the phone again. It increases the volume as well as the clarity. In time after lots of phone practice, many people find they do not need to use the telecoil anymore. It is best to answer thephone first and ask the person to hold while you change over to the T switch.
TROUBLESHOOTING
A common perception is that if you are not hearing well on the phone , it must be YOUR problem. This is not always the case! If you have implemented all of the above and are still experiencing difficulties, it is more than likely that the problem is coming from the other end. This is when you need to troubleshoot !COMMON CAUSES
- Person is on a fax phone
- Person is on a digital phone
- Person is on a portable phone AND is possibly some distance from the base unit
- Person is wearing a headset where the mic is positioned under their chin rather than in front of their mouth!
- There is excessive background noise (at either end)
- Person is speaking too quickly
SOLUTION
- See if the person can change phones i.e if they have a landline or fixed phone this is far easier to hear than a portable phone in most cases.
- Get them to slow their speech down
- Move their headset to a better position
- Eliminate the background noise
- Using the phone successfully requires confidence and loads of practise!
If you would like to come and see me for a “phone session” you are more than welcome. Just contact Anne at reception by phone, fax or email.