TMCnet News
Georgia Program Offers New Digital Amplified Phone Free to Residents With Hearing Loss(Marketwire Via Acquire Media NewsEdge) DECATUR, GA -- (MARKET WIRE) -- 01/17/12 -- Georgians who are deaf or hard of hearing (from 1% hearing loss to profound deaf) can now obtain a new amplified cordless phone for free thanks to Georgia Council for the Hearing Impaired, Inc. (GACHI), the statewide nonprofit that provides a variety of assistive services to the deaf and hard of hearing. Through the Georgia Telecommunications Equipment Distribution Program (GATEDP), GACHI distributes specialized telecommunications equipment and training to qualified applicants who have difficulty hearing via a standard phone. Developed by Clarity, a division of Plantronics (NYSE: PLT) that provides smart communication solutions for seniors, the new phone -- the Clarity XLC3.4 -- amplifies incoming sounds up to 50 decibels. The Clarity XLC3.4 also has helpful features for people with low vision and Arthritis and it boosts outgoing speech up to 15 decibels, making communication much easier for people who have trouble hearing and speaking loudly. Georgia residents who are certified as having hearing loss can easily obtain the XLC3.4 by completing an application, providing a copy of a landline phone bill, a certificate of need form from a physician, proof of income and a copy of a driver's license or state issued identification card. For more information, call GATEDP at 1-888-297-9461 or visit http://www.gachi.org/gatedp. "GACHI was founded to provide Georgia's hard of hearing community with information, resources and powerful communication solutions like Clarity's digital amplified phones," said Sondra Rhoades Johnson, GACHI's Executive Director. "We serve people of all ages with minor hearing loss to complete deafness, and other issues that often accompany hearing loss. So, we are constantly searching for the best solutions that will meet all of these needs. This new phone is a great solution and we're excited to make it available for the hundreds of thousands with hearing loss in our state." The XLC3.4 uses Digital Clarity Power™ to amplify incoming sounds and remove unwanted and distracted noises, much like a hearing aid. Along with powerful amplification technology, the XLC3.4 provides assistance with other common health challenges. For example, the phone features Talking Caller ID, which announces the incoming caller, and a Talking Dial Pad with back-lit buttons to help people with low vision. And the large, soft-touch buttons on the handset and phone base are spaced apart to be easily accessible to those with dexterity issues or Arthritis. Both products include a loud and clear speakerphone and Talking Caller ID in which the handset speaks the number of the incoming caller so you always know who's trying to reach you. It features a Caller ID screen, and the extra loud (95dB) and super bright visual ringers on both phones make sure you never miss a call. "GACHI is an outstanding organization which helps so many people throughout Georgia," said Carsten Trads, president of Clarity. "Hearing loss impacts millions across the U.S., yet the issue is often overlooked, and few are aware that solutions like amplified telephones even exist. With GACHI's help, hopefully more people in Georgia will find the assistance they need for their hearing loss." About GACHIEstablished in 1989, GACHI is a statewide nonprofit organization that provides a variety of assistive services to the deaf and hard of hearing, their family members and friends and local, state, and federal agencies. In addition to a main office in Decatur, GACHI operates satellite offices in Columbus, Cedartown, Augusta, Macon, and Hinesville. About Clarity - Smart for Seniors ™ Clarity, a division of Plantronics (NYSE: PLT), creates smart communication solutions that help seniors live richer, more engaged lives. For more than 40 years, Clarity's innovative products -- such as amplified telephones, notification systems and assistive listening devices -- have helped people with hearing loss, low vision, limited mobility, dexterity issues and other health challenges. Clarity has pioneered many firsts -- from digital sound processing in 2005 to remote-access customer service in 2010. Millions rely on Clarity to communicate at home, at work and throughout their lives. For more information, please visit www.clarityproducts.com or call 1-800-426-3738. Image Available: http://www2.marketwire.com/mw/frame_mw?attachid=1857388 Source: Clarity, a division of Plantronics |