PUBLISHED JUNE 16, 2016
Free, specialized phones available for hard of hearing
By LOIS KINDLE
LOIS KINDLE PHOTOS
Sun City Center resident Edie Moose, left, tries out one of the free, amplified phones distributed each month by the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center at the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce, as Robyn Yarnell, right, discusses its features.
While people typically can live with hearing loss, it certainly lessens their quality of life. When they can’t discern voices in large groups of people, avoid going to parties and restaurants because of all the background noise or having to ask others to constantly repeat themselves, day-to-day living can be quite frustrating.
One of the most common difficulties people with hearing loss experience is talking on the phone, and it’s much more of an issue than simply being able to chat with others.
“I recently scheduled some work to be done in my home, and I didn’t hear the phone when Home Depot called to let me know someone was coming,” said June Helveston, of Kings Point. “And I didn’t hear the doorbell when they arrived. I was so embarrassed.
“My neighbor suggested I get an amplified phone like hers,” she continued. “And I’m glad I did.”
Helveston was referring to free telephone equipment designed to assist those who are hard of hearing. The equipment is loaned by the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center, CFSHC, an authorized distribution center for Florida Telecommunication Relay Inc.
Sun City Center or South Shore residents who qualify can receive free, amplified phones and ring signalers at no cost. CFSHC hosts monthly meetings from 10 a.m. to 3 p.m. the second Thursday of every month at the Sun City Center Area Chamber of Commerce, 1657 Sun City Center Plaza.
Helveston recently attended one of those meetings and was delighted with how the equipment has helped her hearing since.
“It’s wonderful,” she said. “It’s really something I needed. Now that I have the phone I can hear it ring no matter where I am in my home. It also helps me hear the people on the other end of the phone when I answer.”
The specialized equipment supplied by the Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center is designed to work only with landlines. Some models amplify outgoing speech, others hearing and some address both.
Helveston isn’t the only one whose life is changed, said Jackie Bowman, CFSHC director of community services.
“I’ve had people leave crying happy tears because they haven’t been able to speak (over the phone) with their family members or doctors’ offices, or conduct business with places like their bank.”
The amplified phone distribution came about as a result of Florida’s Telecommunications Access Systems Act of 1991(TASA), which was passed after the Federal Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) became law the year before.
The program is administered through the Tallahassee-based, nonprofit Florida Telecommunication Relay Inc. and funded by a small tax on telephone landlines. TASA’s mission is to provide cost-effective, basic telecommunications equipment to individuals who are hard of hearing, deaf and blind or have speech disabilities, Bowman said.
The specialized equipment is designed to work only with landlines. Some models amplify outgoing speech, others hearing and some address both. Equipment for the deaf and blind, for example, would come from Tallahassee.
There are 29 distribution centers like Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center across the state.
Residents must fill out an application that can be completed in person at the chamber. There’s a five-minute questionnaire (hearing test) for those without hearing aids to determine eligibility and needs. Bowman said each recipient’s needs are addressed with the proper equipment.
“I tell people it’s like checking out a library book,” she said. “They need to use it, keep it clean and return it in the condition they received it.”
Any phone not working properly is replaced at no charge. The equipment is not transferrable.
The Central Florida Speech and Hearing Center’s next meeting at the chamber will be July 14. No appointment is necessary. For additional information, visit www.cfshc.org or call 863-686-3189.
