How Boomers with Hearing Loss are Having Better Phone Conversations
By Sara Coracero, MassEDP Outreach Manager
Hearing problems increased dramatically since the days we listened (much too loudly) to the likes of the Rolling Stones and Aerosmith. If you are a Baby Boomer – born between 1946 and 1964 – you’re more likely to have a hearing problem. Fortunately, there are amazing solutions available today to remedy hearing loss and help you hear better on the phone.
Baby Boomers: Rock’n’Roll Generation
“Baby Boomers are the first generation of rock and roll,” said Dr. Michael Glasscock, Founder of The EAR Foundation. Glasscock worked with Clarity, a leading maker of assistive listening devices, to conduct a revealing study on the widespread occurrence of hearing loss in the Baby Boomer population. “Baby Boomers are losing their hearing at a more rapid pace than past generations,” said Glasscock.
Some of us don’t know we have a problem, or refuse to see the signs, but the damage can affect many aspects of our lives says Dr. Jay Rubinstein of the University of Iowa.. Rubinstein says that family members are often the first to notice hearing loss in a loved one: Loved ones are constantly asking family members to repeat things.
Unfortunately, if you are a Baby Boomer, too few of you are seeking treatment for your loss of hearing. Even when you experience definite signs of a hearing loss, you often ignore it for years. You may be embarrassed about the possibility of using assistive hearing devices. That’s a mistake because untreated hearing loss costs dearly..
How Hearing Loss Affects Work
Hearing loss and the related reduced performance and productivity causes a striking drop in income. According to a recent study conducted by the Better Hearing Institute (BHI), untreated hearing loss decreases household income by an average of $23,000 per year. In the EAR Foundation/Clarity study, almost one-fourth (23%) of the people said that hearing loss has affected their success in the workplace. More than one-fourth (27%) said that their hearing loss has decreased their earning potential.
Fortunately, new technology can make the use of a telephone more effective, enabling people with hearing loss to work productively.
Phone Equipment to Remedy Hearing Loss
The Massachusetts Equipment Distribution Program (MassEDP) offers specialized telephones to Massachusetts residents who have hearing loss. You may qualify for phone equipment free of charge or at a reduced cost. MassEDP works to match people with phone equipment designed to meet their hearing needs. These phones and devices that can help if you’re experiencing hearing loss:
Clarity 500 Phone: If you have mild-to-moderate hearing loss, this amplified phone can make words not only louder, but also clearer and easier to understand during a conversation.
Clarity VCO Phone: If you wear a hearing aid and have trouble hearing on the phone, you can benefit from this VCO (voice carry-over) phone. MassRelay provides VCO relay calling. VCO allows you to speak into the phone, and then read replies on the built-in screen. No typing is required.
Ultratec Simplicity Signaler: Do you sometimes miss a phone call because you did not hear the phone ringing? Ring signalers, such as this one, provide a visual alert when your phone is ringing. This device simply connects to a plugged-in lamp, so that whenever the phone rings the lamp also flashes.
How can I get Phone Equipment?
If you are a Massachusetts resident with hearing loss, you could be eligible for the MassEDP program. A representative can talk with you about your needs to determine which equipment is best for you. You can get an application at MassEDP.com.
Qualifications:
1. Resident of Massachusetts.
2. Permanent disability verified by a Massachusetts licensed physician or audiologist.
3. Access to residential telephone service (land line).
4. Disability certified by one of the following:
To learn more about the program, or to obtain an application, please call an Equipment Program Specialist at 800-300-5658 Voice/TTY, Monday - Friday, 8:30 am to 5:00 pm. Visit us at: www.MassEDP.com.
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