Mobile for the deaf

By Paul Durman

A SMALL British company says it has found a way to allow the hard of hearing to join the mobile-phone revolution. The 2.4 m people in Britain who wear a hearing aid have found it difficult to use a mobile. This is because the phone signal typically causes interference with the hearing aid, creating a buzzing noise. This can be stopped by holding the phone nine inches or so away from the head- but then you can’t hear the person talking on the other end of the line. 

Hearing enhancement, based in Livingston, West Lothian, claims to have solved the problem with a small antenna, not much bigger than a thumbnail. The antenna ferries the signal between the mobile phone and the hearing aid, allowing them to operate together without interference. 

Orange has bought 25,000 of the Soundmate antennas and has recently started introducing the hands-free accessories to its retail stores. The order is worth about 1 m pounds to Hearing Enhancement, equivalent to 80% of its sales last year.

Jermey Scuse, Hearing Enhancement’s chief executive, said Soundmate would retail at between 65 pounds and 70 pounds. However, Orange is bundling the product as part of its mobile-phone plans. The telecom’s company has exclusive British rights to the product until June next year.

Source: The Times of India
Dated :21st August, 2001