Need Corded Phone - Keypad in Base - No Volume Control

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rotatepod
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Need Corded Phone - Keypad in Base - No Volume Control

Post by rotatepod »

I've got a hearing impaired relative. I want to buy the Clarity Ameriphone
HA40 phone amplifier. It has three requirements. No cordless phones.
The keypad must be in the base and the handset must not have a
volume control.

I immediately thought of the traditional desk style office phone.

Here's one that at first glance looks ok:

http://www.phonesonsale.com/itt-2500-mt.html

The description says nothing about a volume control. If you take a
closer look at the handset you'll see a little slider. Its not the volume
control for the ringer. This phone has an old fashioned double-gong
ringer, so the ringer adjustment must be in the base.

It may not be possible to locate a phone that meets the requirements
of the HA40. For a few minutes I thought the AT&T Trimline 146W was
the right choice. Again, it has a volume control in the handset.

As you can see, I need a little help.

Thanks guys.
dyarker
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Location: Izmir, Turkiye; from Rochester, NY
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Post by dyarker »

From HA40 manual: "Note: The Handset Amplifier cannot be used with telephones with dialing pads in the handset."

I find no mention of: "...the handset must not have a volume control." in the manual.

The model 2500 should work fine; with, or without, volume control in the handset.

Cheers,
Dale Y
rotatepod
Posts: 43
Joined: Sun Oct 14, 2007 5:34 am
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Post by rotatepod »

Thanks dyarker.

The HA40 is widely available. I found two customer reviews on two
different sites that were very negative. They had purchased the
amplifier and plugged it into a phone with a keypad in the base.
It didn't work.

They both spoke to a tech support person who told them to try the
HA40 with a phone that did not have a volume control. One of the two
reviewers had such a phone. He tried what the tech person suggested
and it worked. The other person said they didn't have a phone without
a volume control and had no idea where to buy one.

I have no reason to doubt these two people who gave this device an
incredibly negative review. That simple volume amplifier built into
most phones is not optimized to be the front end for another amplifier.
I can imagine all sorts of erratic feedback and distortion when you
connect the two together.
dyarker
Posts: 1917
Joined: Fri Aug 22, 2003 1:01 am
Location: Izmir, Turkiye; from Rochester, NY
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Post by dyarker »

There is no amplifier in a 2500. You may be able to find one without a control in the handset.

An alternative is Aastra model 8004. Do not buy a Cortelco Patriot II, bad hook switch design.

Cheers,
Dale Y
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