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Phones for people with hearing loss: how to choose a phone that sounds good

The phone rings in the other room and nobody hears it. Or you answer, and only understand half. A well-chosen phone can help, but a phone “for older people” does not always sound better. Here is how to check what really matters.

In short: a phone for people with hearing loss is one where you can turn up the call volume and the ring, and sometimes also adjust the tone and get a light alert. On a mobile phone, the main things to check are whether it connects directly to the hearing aids (Made for iPhone, ASHA or LE Audio) and whether it has captions for calls. Before buying, check the exact combination of the phone and your hearing aid model.
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What is a phone for people with hearing loss, and how is it different from a regular phone?

A phone for people with hearing loss, also called an amplified phone, is built to make it easier to hear the other side and to hear that someone is calling. According to RNID, the UK charity for people with hearing loss, an amplified phone is a landline designed for people with hearing loss, and it usually has:

  • Separate amplification of the call volume in the handset, and an extra-loud ring.
  • Tone control, which lets you change the tone of the voice so that voices sound clearer.
  • Ease of use, for example large dialling buttons.

Things can sometimes be improved with your existing phone too. RNID suggests turning up the ringer and the handset, placing the phone on a hard surface so the ring sounds louder, and choosing a ringtone that is easier to hear.

A landline or cordless phone for the home: what do you check?

For a home phone, landline or cordless, there are three questions: can you hear the ring, can you hear the call, and does the phone work with your hearing aid?

  • The ring: according to RNID, you can add an extra bell or ringer to a landline, and also a device that flashes when the phone rings. According to NIDCD, there are alerting devices that respond to the phone ringing with a flashing light or vibration.
  • The call volume: RNID describes a phone amplifier that connects to the phone and makes the caller's voice louder.
  • The hearing aid: according to RNID, you use the hearing aid's loop setting (T) on a call and hold the phone close to the hearing aid. Sometimes the person who fits your hearing aid needs to switch this setting on. What a telecoil is and which hearing aids have one: Hearing aids with a telecoil.

Looking for a phone for older people? What is the difference between “simple” and “sounds good”?

Many people looking for a phone for older people, for a parent or for themselves, actually mean two different needs. One is a simple phone: large buttons, a clear screen and few menus. The other is a phone that sounds good: amplification, a loud ring and a light alert. A phone with large buttons does not necessarily sound louder, so it is worth checking the two things separately. If the parent already wears a hearing aid, the important question is how the phone will work together with it. Ideas for families: Hearing aids for elderly parents.

Mobile phones: what do M and T mean in hearing aid compatibility?

Some mobile phones show information about hearing aid compatibility (HAC). Google explains two modes:

  • M (acoustic coupling): the hearing aid is set to M mode, you hold the phone's speaker close to the hearing aid's microphones, and the hearing aid picks up the sound through them.
  • T (telecoil): the hearing aid is set to T mode, and you switch on the phone's hearing aid compatibility (HAC) mode. The hearing aid picks up the magnetic field that the phone creates.

According to O2, a compatible phone with inductive coupling, together with T mode on the hearing aid, helps reduce interference and whistling on calls. NIDCD notes that some hearing aid users hear a buzz from mobile phone interference, and that the problem has become rarer over the years.

How does a call go straight to the hearing aids?

With hearing aids that have a wireless connection, the call can go straight from the phone to the hearing aids, without holding the phone to your ear. There are several ways to connect, and they depend on the phone and the hearing aid:

  • Made for iPhone (MFi): according to Apple, MFi hearing devices let you listen and talk through an iPhone. Apple publishes a list of MFi hearing devices. Devices marked with an asterisk on it support two-way streaming, that is, calls without holding the phone. The others support one-way streaming.
  • Android and ASHA: ASHA is the method that Android defines for sending audio to hearing aids over Bluetooth Low Energy. According to Google, pairing through “Connected devices” works with all types of hearing devices, and pairing through “Accessibility” works best with devices that support ASHA. Some of the steps work only from Android 14 onwards.
  • LE Audio: according to the Bluetooth SIG, LE Audio adds hearing aid support to Bluetooth, and also brings Auracast, audio broadcast to several receivers at once.

For Philips HearLink users there is detailed information on connecting to the phone, and on how to check whether your phone is suitable: Philips HearLink: which phones are compatible (in Hebrew). The connection itself, step by step and for all brands: Hearing aids not connecting to the phone. And how to actually talk, with streaming and without: Hearing aids and phone calls.

Captions for calls: what is available today?

When words are hard to understand even with amplification, captions can help. According to NIDCD, a captioned telephone lets you hold a normal conversation and at the same time read on a screen what the other side is saying. NIDCD notes that this suits people with mild to moderate hearing loss.

Smartphones have built-in live captions:

  • Android: according to Google, Live Caption adds captions to speech on the device, including phone calls and video calls. The captions are processed on the device itself. Google's page lists the supported languages, and when we checked on 03.11.2026, Hebrew was not on it.
  • iPhone: according to Apple, Live Captions transcribes speech in real time, is available from iPhone 11 onwards, and is not available in all languages, countries and regions. Apple notes that accuracy may vary, and that it should not be relied on in emergencies.

More phone accessibility features worth knowing: Phone accessibility features for hearing aid users.

What should you check before buying a phone?

A short list before buying a phone for people with hearing loss, landline or mobile:

  • Can you turn up the call volume, not only the ring?
  • Is the ring loud enough for another room? Is there a light or vibration alert?
  • Is there tone control, or a way to adjust the tone of the voice?
  • On a mobile phone: is there information about hearing aid compatibility (M or T)?
  • Does the phone connect directly to your hearing aid model? Check the hearing aid manufacturer's compatibility list.
  • Are there live captions, and in which language?
  • Can you talk comfortably on speaker, in a quiet room?
  • Has the person who will use the phone tried it themselves, with the hearing aid in their ear?

When should you ask the person who fits your hearing aid?

Before buying a new phone, and whenever phone calls are hard despite the hearing aid. NIDCD recommends bringing your mobile phone to the fitting appointment for a new hearing aid, to check that it works well with it. It is also worth asking:

  • Does my hearing aid have a telecoil (T), and is it switched on?
  • Does my hearing aid connect directly to the phone, and how: MFi, ASHA or LE Audio?
  • Is there a special program for phone calls?
  • If there is no direct connection: is there an accessory that connects the phone to the hearing aids? What is available: Accessories and connectivity.

Oticon hearing aid not connecting? Checks in order: Oticon not connecting to the phone. Considering a new hearing aid with Bluetooth: Bluetooth hearing aids: what to check before buying.

For any sudden change in hearing, pain or discharge, see a doctor.

Sources

English version: 3 November 2026 · Written by the G-Sound editorial team. General information. It does not replace a check, professional advice or the manufacturer's guide. This page does not recommend any phone or brand. Phone compatibility is checked by hearing aid model and phone model.

More in English

Hearing aids and phone callsHearing aids not connecting to the phonePhone accessibility featuresHearing aids with a telecoilContact G-Sound

Frequently asked questions

What else do people ask about phones for hearing loss?

What is the difference between a phone for people with hearing loss and a phone for older people?

A phone for older people usually focuses on ease of use: large buttons and a simple menu. A phone for people with hearing loss focuses on sound: amplification of the call volume, a loud ring, tone adjustment and a light alert. Some phones have both, so check each one separately.

What is an amplified phone?

According to RNID, an amplified phone is a landline designed for people with hearing loss. It has a separate control to amplify the volume in the handset, an extra-loud ring and tone control that lets you change the tone of the voice.

Does every smartphone connect directly to hearing aids?

No. The connection depends on the hearing aid model, the phone model and the operating system version. Apple publishes a list of Made for iPhone hearing devices, and Google notes that some of the Android connection steps work only from Android 14 onwards. So check the exact combination before buying.

What do M and T mean in a phone's hearing aid compatibility?

According to Google, in M mode the hearing aid picks up the phone's sound through its microphones. In T mode the hearing aid is set to the telecoil, and you switch on the phone's hearing aid compatibility (HAC) mode. Not every hearing aid has a telecoil.

Are there Hebrew captions for phone calls?

Google and Apple offer live captions that also work on calls, but not in every language. Hebrew did not appear in Google's published list of Live Caption languages when we checked on 03.11.2026, and Apple notes that Live Captions is not available in all languages. Check in your phone's settings.

What should I bring to my hearing aid fitting appointment?

The phone you use. NIDCD recommends bringing your mobile phone to the fitting of a new hearing aid, to check that it works well with it. If you are considering a new phone, write down its model name.

Please do not send sensitive medical information in a message. We go over the relevant details on the phone.

Want to check how your phone will work with your hearing aid?

G-Sound offers Philips and Oticon hearing aids. Tell us your hearing aid model and your phone model, and we will look at the connection options together.

Call G-Sound to check how your phone will work with your hearing aid.

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G-Sound is an authorized marketer of Philips hearing aids.

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