[Blueflag]

Here's the idea to solve a family challenge:

Situation--

(1) my mom is *REALLY* hard of hearing, and cannot hear/converse via conventional consumer phones.

(2) my mom cannot READ the small caller ID displays built-in with phones or sold separately as display units.

IDEA:

I want to set up a PC with a 21 - 24" monitor and amplified speakers with mic, connected to the PSTN, so that:

(a) when the phone rings, the caller ID is displayed in BIG LETTERS and NUMBERS on the monitor

(b) the ring tone and the spoken caller ID are heard loudly through the speakers

(b.1) quality headphones with a mic ( i.e., gamer's headset) *MAY* be the way to go to actually talk AFTER she sees/hears who is calling.

(c) the PC acts as the answering machine (optional but nice)

(d) the PC can also be connected to the internet, but not required as part of the telephony solution. The telephony solution *MUST* by a PSTN one, NOT a VOIP one.

I am happy to buy a new internal or external modem. I have the PC and the monitor and speakers and headset.

Ideas?

Many thanks to the FReeper tech community.

[ArrogantBustard]

Last time I bought a modem it came bundled with software enabling it to act either as a FAX machine or as a telephone in the manner you describe. The two functions were not mutually exclusive.

[taxcontrol]

Before you do this, talk to your mom’s local phone company and see if they have any programs to assist the hearing impaired.

[TheCipher]

Plus your modem has to be Caller ID compatible.

[BuffaloJack]

> (a) when the phone rings, the caller ID is displayed in BIG LETTERS and NUMBERS on the monitor

I bought a caller ID device about 4 years ago at Walmart. It has a 7 inch LCD screen and displays the Caller ID, phone number and time of Day. The screen letters are about 1-1/2” tall and can easily be seen from across a room. I think I paid about $49 for it. I only switched to VOIP about 2 years ago, so it used to be on a POTS (PSTN) system.
I love it, because it is very easy to read.

[updatedscreenname]

get her a cell phone that has a big display and can do
voice announce. Also would be good with headset that amplifies. Why portable? What if she falls and can’t get up

[afraidfortherepublic]

RE: Caller ID. My cable TV service (Time Warner) sells a cheap phone service (which is really good). Because I subscribe to their HD/Digital cable service PLUS their phone service, my caller ID pops up on the TV screen. Easy to read, IMHO.

I do not know about phones for the hearing impaired — if they are compatible with the Time Warner phone service. I don’t know why they wouldn’t be. If you have TW in your area, it would be worth a call to see if something could be worked out.

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Looks like this one will do it:

TRENDnet 56K USB Data/Fax/TAM Modem TFM-560U

Voice Function, Video Phone Ready

[Drango]

Aren’t you making this a little too complicated? There are senior phones with good decibel increases and large caller ID. Perhaps one will work for her?

http://www.productsforthedeaf.com/category/27715307

[E. Pluribus Unum]

Answering Machine Software

[SmartInsight]

I don’t know anything about the PC solution — BUT, you might look into buying a talking caller ID box or phone with one, you can set it loud, so you can hear it in the whole house anywhere, don’t have to be close to a monitor. Not very expensive.

Also, you can get cordless phones that can be turned into speakerphones at the push of a button, some of them are louder than others, you can test them in a store, or buy a quality speakerphone.

Just another option, so your Mother doesn’t have to rush to the computer screen to see who is calling.

[SmartInsight]

The computer solution may be too complicated for your MOhter — there are some very simple solutions out there that you may want to check out.

Just a quick search showed you can get phones wiht significant amplification:

http://www.phonesonsale.com/cls-csc1000.html

CLS-CSC1000 Amplified Phone W/ Talking Caller-Id & Answering Machine

ClearSounds amplified freedom phone
55+ dB amplification (500x louder)
Clear Digital Full Digital Power
Tone/pitch control
Amplified digital answering machine
Talking Caller ID
Talking Keypad
Full duplex speakerphone
Extra loud ringer (Hi, Med, Lo)
Adjustable ring tones
Flashing ring signaler
Big button dialing with backlit keypad

$180

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Or a cordless phone (or set) that has talking caller ID, speakerphone, and answering mcchine. so she can keep a phone close wherever she is.

Panasonic KX-TG6444T DECT 6.0 Expandable 4-Handset Cordless Phone System with Dual Keypad, Talking Caller ID, Answering Machine and Talking Alarm Clock —around $150

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Clarity D613C DECT 6.0 Loud Cordless Big Button Phone w/Answering Machine/Extra Handset

Amplifies incoming sounds up to 30 decibels
- Large high contrast and easy to press buttons
- Large Caller ID display with large numbers
- Loud and clear handset speakerphone with intercom between handsets
- Lightweight and ergonomic handset
- 30 name and number phonebook with nine (9) memory buttons
- Five (5) Last Number Redial memory
- DECT 6.0 technology for crisp, clear, interference-free communication
- Call Waiting Caller ID

http://www.smithgear.com/clarity-d613c.html

And a whole variety for the hearing impaired

http://www.smithgear.com/cordless-for-hearing-impaired.html

These are just some examples.