Using Captel

[goditto]

I am trying to work out how to use the phone at work and I think I've hit on a winning solution! I wanted to share this, in case it is of benefit to other people struggling with this issue.

1) I use a Jabra to convert the landline signal to a bluetooth signal that is then picked up by my iCom (from Phonak) and sent directly to my hearing aids.

2) I use a free internet service called Captel that transcribes the conversation for me, using speech recognition software and a live person listening in. This service isn't perfect. There is a two or three second time delay and sometimes the words are incorrect (like captioning on the TV). But I can use it as a back up, if I miss some words or phrases in my HA.

You don't need any special equipment to use CapTel over the internet. To use CapTel without the internet, you need to get a CapTel phone (free from the state, at least in Tennessee it is ).

I am happy to have a way of using the phone with confidence - just wanted to share it!

[jay_man2]

I guess it must be different with your loss, but with my moderate high frequency loss with some low frequency loss (30-35 in the lows, 70 in the highs) I have no trouble using a landline or cellphone unaided. All the phones have adjustable volume that I can boost when needed.:confused:

[goditto]

I bet my trouble with the phone has to do with speech decoding. My scores on word recognition are in the 50 - 60%. Some people have good speech decoding when the volume is adequate. I guess there are many different ways to be deaf... :-(

I am hoping that by using HA, I might "relearn" to understand some speech sounds.

I just switched from Ceritinas to Versatas a couple of days ago. Have to say that the lower price Certinas actually sounded better to me. I wonder if that is a problem with the settings, not the HA.

I've only had HA for about ten days so I am full of questions!

[jay_man2]

My speech recognition is still pretty good unaided. But there are times lately even with aids that my old brain seems to wander, and all I hear is wa wa wa wa wa like the little girl in the Charlie Brown tv cartoons.:p