Never struggle on the phone again

I hate talking on the phone! Some people I hate talking to more than others.

Let me clarify. It is not because I don’t like them personally or that I don’t like what they have to say but rather that sometimes I find them so hard to understand over the phone. Maybe they are too softly spoken, or they speak too quickly or they get frustrated easily if I ask them to repeat something.

I would much rather send an e-mail or text message any day!

More than anything, I dread calling customer service numbers because I always seem to miss something that they say. Before I was in hearing healthcare, I worked in a number of call centres over a period of 15 years, so I know first hand just how many factors can contribute to making that customer service rep hard to understand.

If you live with hearing loss like I do, you know how challenging a simple phone call can be.

Before today’s technology, every call felt like a battle — straining to catch half the conversation, guessing the rest based on context, tone of voice, and the occasional lucky word. For a long time, phone calls were something I would dread.
Misunderstandings, missed information, and frustration became part of every conversation. I often found myself apologizing for asking people to repeat themselves again and again. It was exhausting and isolating.

Thankfully, Bluetooth technology has changed the game for mobile phones.
Many modern hearing aids and cochlear implants now have built-in Bluetooth connectivity. This allows your phone’s audio to stream directly into your hearing devices.

Instead of holding the phone awkwardly up to the hearing aid microphone — picking up all the room noise and sometimes squealing with feedback — the caller’s voice is transmitted clearly and privately into your ears.

How Bluetooth makes mobile calls easier

Bluetooth streaming has been life-changing for many of us:

Background noise is dramatically reduced or eliminated.
The caller’s voice is clearer, with much less distortion.
No more struggling to find that “sweet spot” where the hearing aid microphone picks up the phone speaker properly.

For mobile phone users with hearing loss, Bluetooth streaming has made calls not just easier — but for many, possible again after years of struggle.

Why landline phones are still a problem

However, when it comes to landline phones, the story isn’t so simple.

Finding a landline phone that streams via Bluetooth into hearing aids is, to put it bluntly, near impossible. Most traditional landline phones were never designed with Bluetooth in mind. Even modern or “advanced” landline phones rarely offer direct streaming options.

Instead, the focus has largely been on making landlines “hearing accessible” through features like:

Extra loud ringer volume
Adjustable tone control
Amplified handset volume
Visual ring indicators
Telecoil (T-coil) compatibility

While helpful for some, these features often fall short for people with significant hearing loss.

Louder doesn’t necessarily mean clearer.

Background noise, distortion, and muffled voices can still make conversations stressful and frustrating.

Need more options? Connecting ALDs to your telephone

If you’re looking for ways to bridge the gap, there are additional solutions.
I’ve written a detailed guide covering practical options like neckloops, phone adapters, and assistive listening devices (ALDs) that can improve telephone access for people with hearing loss.
You can read it here: Connecting ALDs to Your Telephone.

Introducing the Konnekt Videophone: A better way

That’s why I want to introduce something truly different: the Konnekt Videophone.

Unlike traditional landlines, the Konnekt Videophone was designed from the ground up for people with hearing loss — and it goes far beyond just amplification.

Key Features of the Konnekt Videophone

Real-Time Captions: As the caller speaks, their words appear instantly on the large screen.
Regular phone calls, to/from phone numbers: Captions start automatically.
Simple Touchscreen Interface: Just tap a photo or name to call. No confusing buttons or menus.
Exceptional Sound Quality: Tuned specifically for voice clarity, not just loudness.
Video Calling: See the caller’s face for visual cues like lip movements and expressions.
Internet-Based: Works via Wi-Fi or Ethernet — no traditional phone line needed.
From $5/month for Telstra and Belong customers, or fund via HCP, NDIS, DVA or EAF

You can even link the Konnekt Videophone to services like Skype for even more flexibility.

I only recommend products and services that I have personally used and genuinely believe in. About six months ago, I organised a Konnekt Videophone for my elderly parents, both of whom have hearing loss. One of my parents also lives with dementia, which makes communication even more challenging. They had struggled for years with phone calls, whether on their landline or mobile. Being able to read captions of what the other person is saying — while also seeing them face-to-face during a video call — has made their conversations so much easier. I believe the Konnekt Videophone is a simple, effective solution for anyone who finds traditional phone calls difficult, and I’m passionate about raising awareness so that more people can discover how life-changing this technology can be.

Why the Konnekt Videophone matters

If you’ve been avoiding phone calls because they are too difficult or stressful, the Konnekt Videophone offers a real solution.

With Konnekt, you can:

Reconnect confidently with family and friends.
Manage appointments and everyday calls independently.
Enjoy conversations without relying solely on guesswork or repetition.

Phone calls should be about connection, not frustration.

And with the right tools, they can be again.

Learn more about Konnekt

If you’d like to find out more about the Konnekt Videophone, you can visit their official website:
🌐 www.konnekt.com.au

You can also reach out directly for a friendly chat:
📧 Email via web form: konnekt.com.au/contact
📞 Phone: 1300 851 823 (Australia) or ask about options in your country.

Konnekt also offers free demonstrations and consultations to help you find the right setup for your needs.