press release
Utah Public Service Commission’s Relay Utah Offers Cordless
Phone With Sound Boost For Utah’s Hard of Hearing
SALT LAKE CITY – Jan. 13, 2009 – For Utahns living with hearing loss, an amplified, hearing aid-compatible cordless phone is now available through Relay Utah, a division of the State of Utah Public Service Commission.
Relay Utah is offering an amplified, hearing aid compatible cordless phone to help meet the needs of the hard of hearing who want the freedom of a cordless phone or that experience mobility limitations with wheelchair, walker or oxygen use.
The ClearSounds DECT 6.0 cordless phones are available, at no charge, to hard of hearing individuals in Utah who currently participate in the Supplemental Security Income (SSI) program, Medicaid and other Department of Human Service or Public Assistance Programs. Individuals who do not participate in these programs can purchase the phone by contacting ClearSounds at 800-965-9043 or www.clearsounds.com.
In addition to portability, clear sound quality and an integrated digital answering system, additional features of this phone include:
- Amplification up to 25 decibels (dB)
- Integrated digital answering system and visual message waiting indicator
- Speakerphone
- Large LCD display
- Flashing ring signaler, loud ringer and vibrating handset
“We strive every day to help improve independent communication and the quality of life for Utahns living with hearing loss,” said Julie Orchard, commission secretary. “The availability of this new phone is supporting us in doing that. Most phones that are available at retail and wholesale stores are not hearing aid compatible, though packaging states they are. Often there is feedback with these phones and the hard of hearing individual is left frustrated and isolated from speaking to friends and family on the phone. This new phone provides clear, amplified sound with no interference with hearing aids and also includes the convenience of a built-in digital answering system – a feature that has never been available before in the phones we provide through our program.”
In addition to the equipment distribution program, the 7-1-1 “relay” translation service facilitates calls between deaf, hard of hearing and hearing individuals. This free service is available by dialing 7-1-1. A Relay Communications Assistant (CA) will “relay” communication between an individual using a hearing-assistive phone and a standard phone. Relay Utah is also offered in Spanish by calling 888-346-3162. Relay Utah is subsidized through a $.10 telephone surcharge.
Relay Utah, one of the first relay telecommunication services offered in the United States, marked 20 years in October, providing free “relay” translation services between hearing and hard of hearing/deaf individuals and communication-assistive equipment to help hard of hearing and deaf Utahns communicate with hearing individuals.
Information about the equipment programs can be obtained on the Relay Utah website at www.relayutah.gov or by calling the Utah Public Service Commission 801-530-6716.
Press Contacts:
Julie Orchard, Public Service Commission, jorchard@utah.gov, 801-530-6713
Stephanie Miller, PPBH PR for Relay Utah, smiller@ppbh.com, 801-487-4800 x107