For the first few months after your Cochlear system has been switched on, you’ll be busy listening and interpreting a world of new sounds around you. When you’re ready to start, there are steps you can take to improve your ability to use the phone.

For more advice on making your phone use more successful, contact your hearing health professional

1. Will I be able to use the phone?
2. How can I get the best results from my phone use?
3. What should I look for when choosing a phone?
4. How can I practice my phone skills?
5. Handy phone use tips from a recipient and an audiologist

1. Will I be able to use the phone?
Whilst some recipients enjoy immediate success on the phone, it takes time and practice for others.

2. How can I get the best results from my phone use?
There are several ways to use your speech processor that will help you communicate better on the telephone:

• Use the everyday (or microphone) setting.
• Use a telephone adapter.
• Use the telecoil (a program specifically for use with the telephone or in environments that have telecoil facilities).
• Use mobile phone and audio accessories.

Use the telephone on the everyday setting
This method works with all Cochlear ear level and body worn speech processors. Here’s how to use the everyday (microphone) setting:

The microphone sits at the top of your ear, near the earhook, capturing the speech sounds from the telephone earpiece.

Your telephone earpiece should be in line with the microphone of the processor.

• You may need to move the telephone earpiece slightly until you find the strongest signal.

Use the telephone with a telephone adapter
Telephone adapters directly connect ESPrit™ 3G and SPrint™ speech processors to the telephone. They work with corded telephones that have a keypad on their base.

Use the telephone on the telecoil setting
Telecoils send a signal directly to your processor without interference from background noise. To use this setting, the telecoil function must be activated on the speech processor and can only be used with a compatible telephone that has a telecoil facility.

How to use the telecoil function:

• position the handset slightly lower on your ear and further back than the position suggested for the everyday setting. This position is also appropriate if you are using a mixed telecoil and microphone setting.
• ensure that the handset is not held too high, too far back behind your ear or placed directly over your ear as the signal won’t be optimal.

The following Cochlear speech processors have telecoil capability:

• Nucleus 5 Sound Processor - has patented automatic telecoil detection (which can be enablled by your audiologist), where the processor automatically detects the telecoil signal and activates the telecoil.
• Freedom and ESPrit 3G speech processors - access the telecoil via your speech processor controls or a program set by your audiologist.
• SPrint - A telecoil adapter can be purchased separately from Cochlear to enable telecoil capabilities with these devices.

The Nucleus 5, Freedom™ and ESPrit™3G speech processors have the capacity to mix the telecoil and microphone input so they can be heard at the same time. You should discuss the telecoil function with your audiologist or clinician.

Use other mobile phone and audio accessories
There are a range of accessories that you can use with the phone. The following products are available through Cochlear and have proven popular with many recipients. We recommend trying them for yourself as every ear hears differently:

• NoiZfree® Music & Mobile - a special hands free accessory that plugs into your mobile phone for hands-free conversation, improved speech clarity and reduced distortion and background noise. Can also be connected to i-pods and walkmans. This is a single ear hook not compatible with Nokia mobile phones. Order number Z61135.
• NoiZfree® Beetle - this Bluetooth headset interfaces with your mobile phone, transmitting speech directly to your speech processor. It virtually eliminates the interference buzz that’s sometimes experienced when using a speech processor with a mobile phone. Order number Z61261.
• NoiZfree® Nokia Monaural Telecoil Induction Earhook – a Mobile Induction Earhook compatible with Nokia mobile phones only. Order number Z61136.

For more information please contact your local Cochlear office or distributor.

3. What should I look for when choosing a phone?

All recipients have a personal preference, and what works for one may not necessarily work for another. If possible, try different models before making a selection.

Some features you might want to look for when purchasing a new phone include;

• volume control
• caller ID
• an integrated answering machine
• a high quality speaker phone

When purchasing a cordless phone:

• Look for an analog cordless phone as.they tend to provide the best sound quality and telecoil compatibility.
• Choose extended-range analog cordless phones, such as 2.4 GHz phones, as the usually offer a clearer signal than those in the 900 MHz range.
• Avoid purchasing cordless phones labelled ‘digital’or ‘digital spread spectrum’, especially if you plan to use a telecoil with the phone.

When purchasing a corded phone:

• Look for the same features as listed in cordless phones.
• If you are using a telephone adapter be sure to select a corded phone with the keypad in the base of the phone, rather than in the handset.
• If a store brand telephone isn’t adequate for your needs, there are also some specialty phones that may be more suitable.

When purchasing a mobile phone:

• We advise you, to visit a retail store and try out different phones.
• If you plan to use a telecoil with your mobile phone, make sure to test its compatibility too.

4. How can I practice my phone skills?

Practicing auditory only skills seems to help most recipients. Your hearing health professional can provide the best techniques for your situation. Here are some they might suggest:

Repeat sentence and word lists with family or friends:

• Have someone read you a sentence or word, and then repeat it back to them.
• Practice taking messages from other family members.
• Start off with familiar names, phone numbers and addresses, or favourite foods, colours and activities.
• Move onto more detailed messages once you’ve built up your confidence.

Read along with audio books and recordings:

• This gives you an opportunity to listen to something over and over, as well as practice reading along.
• You’ll find that libraries are usually a good place to source audio books.

Listen to phone service messages:

• Try listening to recorded messages on the phone, such as a weather or time service. These services are often free.

Join specialised rehabilitation programs:

• Skill-building programs like Sound and Way Beyond™ can help you practice and develop your ability to use the phone.

5. Handy phone tips from a recipient and an audiologist

• Faye Yarroll is a cochlear implant recipient - read Faye’s tips and hints on phone usage
• Steven Lee is an audiologist at Singapore General Hospital - read Steven’s guidance on best use of the phone