SmithGear News

Hearing Loss Telephones 101: Consistent Amplification

At SmithGear, we offer a large selection of corded and cordless phones designed for those with hearing loss -- but one feature can be easily overlooked -- Consistent Amplification (also referred to as "Auto Boost").

By default on  most hearing loss telephones, in order to amplify a telephone call's volume you must press the "AMPLIFY" or "BOOST" button. Then, when you end an amplified phone call, amplification turns off automatically for the next call.

This happens for a number of reasons, largely to protect those also in the household from being harmed by a accidentally using an phone that is too loud.

That means the phone's user must press the "AMPLIFY" or "BOOST" button during every call to get the volume to the preferred setting. Sounds easy right? No so fast -- age, dexterity and memory factors can make this a real challenge for many users.

Thankfully, there is a solution: Consistent amplification. If you prefer amplification consistently on, you can set it to automatically turn on each time that a call begins. This eliminates the need to press the "AMPLIFY" or "BOOST" button every single time, and can make using the phone more easy.

During conversation, you may be also to still temporarily turn off amplification (depending on the model). You should also consider the hearing levels of other phone users before you set amplification consistently ON. These phones can emit excessive volume and amplification that can cause hearing loss.

For more information see our line of: Hearing Loss Phones.

VTech's new IS7121-2 Video Doorbell Phone System

For the security minded, the new VTech IS7121-2 video doorbell phone system lets homeowners take a closer look at who's visiting, thanks instant photo sent to the phone handset and optional streaming video.

A doorbell with a video camera automatically snaps a photo and sends it to the handsets when visitors ring the doorbell. You can then stream video, audio, or both with just two buttons.

Choosing to talk to visitors or seeing them from inside the home is completely up to you.

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Panasonic's New Bluetooth Cellular Convergence Cordless Phones

 

Still missing cell phone calls and texts while at home? Now you can have the functionality of your cell or smart phone and the convenience of a multi-handset cordless phone system.

With Panasonic Link2Cell, you can simply park your cell phone in its charger and forget it. Link2Cell is a home phone that syncs with your cell phone via Bluetooth so you can make or receive cell phone calls using any of the cordless handsets throughout your home.

You'll never miss an important text because you don’t have your cell phone with you. The KX-TG7874S includes a Text Message Alert function which signals the home phone handsets when you receive a text on your cell or smart phone.

No convenient electrical outlet for charging your cell phone or smart phone? No problem. The KX-TG7870 Link2Cell phone series feature a convenient USB charging port.

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Merging VoIP and Landline Cordless Phone from Gigaset

Witha new  Gigaset C610A IP now you can place calls via the internet or landline, and up to 3 parallel calls can be made.

Because you can make up to three parallel calls, you have great calling flexibility. You can choose what type of line is best for each call you place: internet or landline. With VoIP, every call comes to you in exceptional HD sound, even if you choose to talk and multi-task in hands-free mode.

All VoIP calls feature exceptional HD sound thanks to HDSP technology for absolute calling clarity. The answering machine records up to 30 minutes of messages to ensure that all incoming calls are received when you are out.

An environmentally-friendly phone, the Gigaset C610A IP is also equipped with energy-saving ECO DECT technology. 

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Clarity Alto and AltoPlus Big Button Landline Phones

The new Clarity Alto corded big button landline telephone with 53 dB of volume amplification is designed for people with mild, moderate and severe hearing loss.  

With a 10 one touch memory buttons and a powerful hands-free speakerphone, this phone can also be mounted directly on any wall. 

Clarity Alto (above)

The Alto is the first amplified landline phone to pass strict new industry standards set by the Telecommunications Industry Association to ensure the best possible sound output for the 36 million in the US with hearing loss.

Alto reduces noise and it makes soft sounds audible and keeps loud sounds in a comfortable range for the user through Digital Clarity Power™, a patented sound processing technology that functions similarly to a modern digital hearing aid. Users can adjust the amplification settings with a new ergonomic volume and tone control wheel, simple and easy to use for those with Arthritis or dexterity challenges.

With large backlit number keypad (which also can speak numbers aloud, as the phone is dialed) and talking caller ID, these phones are ideal for those with vision or hearing loss. 

Also new is the Clarity AltoPlus, with adds a large readout caller id screen.  For more information, follow the links below:

Alto | AltoPlus

 

Clarity Ensemble Captioning Amplified Touchscreen Phone

The Clarity Ensemble is a new corded phone that can help those with hearing loss. Not only does the Ensemble amplify sound (up to 50 decibels) but the phone offers near-real time captioning of a phone conversation. The captioning is displayed in large, adjustable font on the phone's built in touch screen.

Answering machine messages also can be captioned. A real plus if you have trouble hearing a voice while playing back a message. Accessories include a Bed shaker accessory which vibrates when the phone rings and a headset jack (2.5mm plug) for handsfree calls.

The Ensemble's integrated Android-based screen requires a high-speed internet connection. Set-up is straight forward and the device searches for a Wireless Access Point during installation. 

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Use your iPhone as your Landline Phone with the AirTouch SmartLinx

It's now possible to use your iPhone as your landline phone.

The new AirTouch SmartLinX enables users of Smartphones to make calls over their landlines via Wi-Fi. Voice quality is improved since the call is being transmitted over a landline.

Simply connect the SmartLinX to a router and a telephone line, download the AirTouch app (free in the App Store) and you'll be making landline calls with your iPhone in no time.

You'll have the added convenience of being able to use your SmartPhone's contact list and the cost savings of fewer cell plan minutes at the home or office.

You can also intercom with up to 8 other SmartPhones on the network, making a instant communication network for a small office.

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Headband Style Disposable Headphones Available to Buy in Bulk Quantities

At just $1.25 each, the new SmithGear ID06PS headband style disposable headphones allows you to give guests, students, members or customers brand-new headphones for personal audio use.

Perfect for fitness centers, spas, gyms, educational use, hospitals, prisons, computer labs, hotels, motor coaches, libraries, rental cars, trains, museums and more.

Features a new adjustable all-plastic headband and works with anything with a 3.5 mm input jack, inlcluding iPhones, iPads, iPods, Smartphones, Audio and Fitness Equipment and more.

Minimum order quanties apply.

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SmithGear.com Reviews and Ratings

SmithGear reviews and ratings third party review provider has been changed to BizRate.  

Current SmithGear reviews from BizRate: 

We have received a Yahoo Top Service Rating for our excellence in providing products with timely shipping and top customer service. The most complete SmithGear reviews and ratings can be found in Google here.

 

 

Landline Alternatives - Going Cellular Phone Only in your Home

 In 2007, 13.6 percent of households were cellular only. In just three years (2010) that number nearly doubled to 26.6 percent. Have you considered going cellular only? When does it make sense to keep the landline?

When to Keep the Landline:

If you have a Home Office: If you are talking to a client -- or your boss, you can't afford a dropped call or a poor connection. You'll need the reliability and clarity of a good old fashioned landline.

If you have spotty cellular service: Can you hear me now? If you don’t get enough bars, you’ll find yourself searching for hotspots in your own home, and having conversations only there. 

If you need to fax: Cellular service does not support faxing. There are some online faxing options that may replace your old fax machine, but if you need to send plain old paper fax from your home machine you'll need a landline. 

If you need security: When you call 911 from your landline they receive your home address immediately. That's not the case with your cell phone. And, unless you sign up with your local authorities, you'll miss out on any reverse 911 calls as well, which depending on where you live, could be very important.

Drop the Landline when:

Most of your calls are with family or friends: Who cares if the connection is not perfect when you’re checking in with Aunt Sallie.

You constantly find yourself running for your cell phone at home: If people call you all the time on the cell, and never the landline, it’s time to ditch it.

Have free long distance: many cell phone plans offer free long distance while your landline is charging you.

Don't settle for just your Cell Handset at Home

Ditching the landline does not mean you have to always talk on your small cell phone while you're at home. You can have the convenience and feel of regular landline phones and handsets even after you cancel your landline service.

Panasonic Link2Cell Cordless Phones

This phone system connects to your cell phone via Bluetooth, allowing you to make and receive cellular calls at your home. Once paired with a cell phone, any calls that come through your cell will also ring all the handsets of this cordless phone system. This gives you “whole home” coverage with just a single cell phone.

+ KX-TG7745S

Panasonic Link2Cell will pair up to 2 Cell Phones and will sound a distinctive ring for each, making it easy for you to know who’s cell phone is ringing. It even correctly rings any custom iPhone ringtone that have been assigned to your contacts (when used with an iPhone, of course).

Gigaset One Home Cell Phone Adapter

This device essentially turns your cell phone’s service into an analog wall phone jack, via Bluetooth. Then you can plug any standard telephone, or cordless phone system, into the Gigaset and any cell phone calls will be directed to any connected telephone.

+ Gigaset One

Once paired, you can then use any phone to make and receive cell phone calls, even one that makes it look like you still have a landline:

+ Duke Reproduction Telephone