Best Phones for Hard of Hearing

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Poly VVX 301

Yealink VP59

Doro Magna 4000

Panasonic KX-TGE233B

Amplicom Big Tel 1200

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4.5
4.0
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3.5
Best For

Best basic HD VoIP Phone

Best For

Best high spec HD VoIP phone

Best For

Volume adjustment

Best For

Best multiple handset amplified phone

Best For

Best amplified phone with visual alerts

Pricing

Starts at £120 but refurbished models start at £30

Pricing

Starts at £330

Pricing

Starts at £80

Pricing

Starts at £60

Pricing

Starts at £50

The best phones for hard of hearing are the Poly VVX 301 and Yealink SIP. They offer features like crystal clear calls and acoustic echo cancellation technology to help those hard of hearing make calls. These models are closely followed by the VP-T49G, Doro Magna 4000, Panasonic KX-TGE233B and Amplicom Big Tel 1200.

Many of the big telephone suppliers produce excellent models to assist those with varying degrees of hearing problems. To learn more about the best phones for the hard of hearing, keep on reading. 

We’ve cross-referenced features and customer reviews to find the amplified cordless telephone models which will benefit the hard of hearing while still having many of the key features of a regular telephone. Consider the best VoIP providers to pair with these phones as well.

Top 5 Phones for Hard of Hearing at a glance

These are the providers we recommend based on our research. Use our comparison tool to find the best service for your business.

1. Poly VVX 301 – Best basic HD VoIP phone

2. Yealink SIP VP-T49G – Best high spec HD VoIP phone

3. Doro Magna 4000 – Best cordless amplified phone for offices

4. Panasonic KX-TGE233B – Best multiple handset amplified phone

5. Amplicom Big Tel 1200 – Best amplified phone with visual alerts

What is a phone for hard of hearing?

Phones for hard of hearing, also known as amplified telephones, are specifically designed for people with hearing impairments. They offer features like hearing aid compatibility, separate volume adjustment controls through the handset, an extra loud ringer, and handset control that enables you to change speech tones and to make voices sound clearer. They can also come with user-friendly features like large dial buttons and light-up handsets. Prices can range anywhere between £30 for a simple handset to over £300 for a more sophisticated amplified phone system.

Best amplified phones for the hard of hearing:

The best amplified phones for the hard of hearing are:

  1. Poly VVX 301
  2. Yealink SIP VP-T49G
  3. Doro Magna 4000
  4. Panasonic KX-TGE233B
  5. Amplicom Big Tel 1200

Communication is a fundamental part of human connection, but for those with hearing loss, it can be a challenge. That’s why we’ve identified the best phones designed specifically for hard of hearing, with features like amplified sound, adjustable tone control, and compatibility with hearing aids.

So why hesitate? Check out our selection of phones for hard of hearing and choose the one that best fits your needs. Or start using our quote-finding tool to get more advice and find the best prices.

1. Poly VVX 301: Best basic HD VoIP phone

Poly VVX 300 VoIP Phone
Pricing $30 - $120
Quick overview

The plug-and-play readiness of the Poly (formerly Polycom) VVX makes this powerful 6-line handset a cinch to set up. Call quality is crystal clear, and the pairing of audio and video technology enhances communication, collaboration, and team productivity. Deployable in almost any business environment, it’s the perfect office phone for the multitasking needs of busy managers and knowledge workers.

Strengths

6 line handset

Crystal clear call quality

Audio and video technology

2. Yealink VP59: Best high spec HD VoIP phone

Yealink VP59
Pricing From £330
Quick overview

The Yealink VP59 phone is super high-spec, offering not only HD voice calls, but HD video calls, making it ideal for remote workers or people who have been working from home since the pandemic.

This phone is all about clarity, with an eight inch adjustable high-resolution display, which allows you to have video conference calls in full HD, and the latest Bluetooth technology allowing quality call transfer to paired audio devices. One slight downside is that it's more expensive than the Poly VVX 301, with prices starting at £330.

Strengths

HD voice and video calls

Supports 16 lines

Adjustable display for video calls and clear user interface

Weaknesses

Too expensive for home use

Not the easiest phone to navigate at first

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3. Doro Magna 4000: Best cordless amplified phone for offices

Doro Magna 4000
Pricing From £80
Quick overview

The Doro Magna 4000 is perfect for people with moderate to severe hearing impairment, enabling users to increase the volume by more than 60dB, which is much louder than the Panasonic KX-TGE233B. It also offers clear sound quality and an extremely loud ringer, complete with flashing lights. It’s hearing aid-compatible and very reasonably priced. Prices start at £80.

Strengths

Very high voice volume of 60 decibels (dB)

Sleek design

Adjustable tone to suit your specific needs

Reasonably priced

Weaknesses

The display is a bit basic

Not cordless

Did You Know?

More than 40% of UK adults over 50 years old have hearing loss.

4. Panasonic KX-TGE233B: Best multiple handset amplified phone

Panasonic KX-TGE233B
Pricing From £60
Quick overview

At just £57 for four handsets, this phone is certainly a bargain and far more affordable than the Yealink VP59. It has plenty of useful features that make it suitable for both home and office, and it looks modern and compact. The downside, however, is that it’s not actually as loud as other models. It’s suitable for those with partial hearing loss, but those with more serious hearing issues will most likely find it inadequate. Prices start at £60.

Strengths

Having four handsets means you can benefit from amplified volume, no matter where in the building you are

Modern design and easy setup

Nuisance call block and caller ID

Built-in answerphone

With four handsets for £57, it’s a bargain

Weaknesses

Not as loud as other models

Some reviews suggest the sleek design means the handset is prone to slipping out of the holder if replaced in a rush

5. Amplicom Big Tel 1200: Best amplified phone with visual alerts

Amplicom Big Tel 1200
Pricing From £50
Quick overview

This very affordable phone is hearing aid compatible and suitable for people with severe hearing loss. It has a very loud ringer (80dB on the loudest setting – around the sound of a vacuum cleaner), which is even louder than the Doro Magna 4000's 60dB ringer, and also gives a visual alert (flashing light) for incoming calls. Prices start at £50

Strengths

Very loud, with a ring volume of up to 80dB and a voice volume of up to 30dB

Visual alert for both calls and alarms

Large buttons and amber backlight makes it suitable for those with impaired vision, too

Very affordable

Weaknesses

Basic functionality and interface, but gets the job done

Save by Comparing Telephone Systems Quotes from Leading Suppliers
Do you already have a Telephone System for hard of hearing?
Verdict

The best phones for hard of hearing are the Poly VVX 301 and Yealink VP59, offering a wide choice of amplified-specific features like HD calling and acoustic echo cancellation technology. The Poly VVX 301 is the more affordable of the two, but it doesn’t offer HD video features, unlike the Yealink model.

If you have one or several employees who suffer from hearing loss, let us help you find the solution that’s right for all of you. Fill in our quick and free comparison tool with your requirements, and we’ll put you in touch with the best suppliers to meet your needs.

How We Test VoIP Phone Systems and Services for Businesses

We tested 10 market-leading VoIP products and services to evaluate them in terms of functionality, usability, cost, security options, and more so we can make the most useful recommendations to UK businesses.

Our rigorous testing process means these products have been scored and rated in seven main categories of investigation and 16 subcategories – in fact, we covered 78 areas of investigation in total. We then gave each category score a ‘relevance weighting' to ensure the product's final score perfectly reflects the needs and requirements of Expert Market readers – and that's our product testing algorithm in a nutshell!

Our main testing categories for VoIP products and services are:

Customer Score: external customer opinion; the feedback and ratings given by customers who have used a particular VoIP product – the market position and reputation a VoIP software holds.

Cost: the pricing structure associated with the VoIP service, such as monthly subscription fees, call rates, setup fees, hardware costs, and any additional charges for add-on features or services.

Features: the functionalities and capabilities offered by the VoIP service, including basic features such as call forwarding and voicemail, as well as advanced features like auto-attendant and conference calling.

External Connections: the VoIP service's ability to connect and integrate with external systems or devices, such as compatibility with existing phone systems or integration with mobile devices.

Customer Support: the assistance and resources provided by the VoIP service provider to customers including technical support, online resources, and access to customer support representatives.

Security Options: the measures and features implemented by the VoIP service to ensure the confidentiality, integrity, and protection of voice communications and data.

Scalability: the ability of the VoIP service to accommodate the growth and changing needs of an organization, e.g. capacity to handle a growing number of users or support multiple locations.

 

FAQs

What is the best cordless phone for the hard of hearing?
Panasonic KX-TGE233B is the best cordless phone for the hard of hearing. We also rated it as the best multiple handset amplified phone and is one of the most affordable models on the market.
Which cordless phones are hearing aid compatible?
Panasonic KX-TGE233B is the best cordless hearing aid compatible phone.
What is the simplest phone to operate?
The Yealink VP59 is the easiest phone to use, offering large buttons, an HD screen with a clear user interface, and an adjustable display.
How can I find office phones for the hard of hearing?
The easiest way to find office phones for the hard of hearing is by comparing free quotes from phone suppliers. Simply use our free comparison tool and tell us about your business and employees, and we’ll put you in touch with the best suppliers to meet your specific needs.
What are textphones and who are they designed for?
Textphones are for people with profound hearing loss, who are unable to hear amplified telephones. They allow you to send and receive calls by typing and receiving text. They usually need an analogue line. Expect to pay between £250 and £300 for the models described below.

Cleartext

This phone has a full-size keyboard and a large, clear screen displaying multiple lines of text. With a simple on-screen menu, it is one of the easiest textphones to use.

Screenphone

The Screenphone is a flexible phone suitable for all hearing levels. It is hearing aid compatible and can be used as an amplified phone, standard phone, or textphone with an optional keyboard. Easy to use, it has a large screen which can also display answerphone messages.

Textlink

This textphone sends and receives messages on a two line, 80 character display. It can be connected to a voice telephone so that you can speak your call and receive text back, or type the call and listen to the response. An additional software package is available for connecting the phone to the computer.

Talk by Text

For under £50, this software is a cheaper alternative to a textphone. It allows you to make and receive real time text calls over the internet from your computer. There is an optional pre-pay account for calling ordinary phones and textphones.

What are the best amplified mobile phones?
There are several amplified mobile phones on the market, which are hearing aid compatible and mostly suitable for people with moderate hearing loss. Some also have Bluetooth to give connectivity to neck loops and ear hooks. Prices range from £60 to £170.

Powertel M6000

This phone has a loud adjustable ringer, plus a vibration alert. It has strong amplification for people with moderate hearing loss and does not create much hearing aid interference. There is a large screen and the text is clear. It is Bluetooth compatible, with 230 hours standby time.

PhoneEasy 610

This model has all the features of the PhoneEasy 510, plus Bluetooth, and is suitable for people with severe hearing loss.

How else can employers support employees who are hard of hearing?
The NHS recommends several ways employers can help those with hearing difficulties be happy and productive in the workplace.

These include:

  1. Ensuring there is good lighting in the building, particularly around the employee and in any meeting rooms, to aid lip-reading
  2. Moving the person with hearing loss to an office with good acoustics
  3. In cases of severe hearing loss, providing a speech-to-text reporter or interpreter
  4. Providing employees with portable hearing loops for off-site training and away days
Written by:
Fernanda is a Mexican-born Expert Market writer, specialising in providing in-depth insights about business software to help businesses of all shapes and sizes thrive. From VoIP systems to project management software, she’s passionate about helping businesses find the tools and methods that will help give them an edge over their competitors. Fernanda has ample journalistic experience, having written for a multitude of online magazines about topics ranging from Latin American politics to cryptocurrency.
Reviewed by:
James thinks all businesses can improve if they use the right technology. At Expert Market, he utilises his 4+ years experience as a researcher to offer specialised advice on a wide range of categories from CRM to Fleet Management.