While there are several corded and cordless amplified telephones currently available with built-in answering machines, the stand-alone answering machine is making a comeback! Two new products have been recently introduced, offering a unique feature beneficial not only for those patients with hearing loss, but for those with underlying auditory processing issues who experience difficulty understanding phone messages.
The Amplicom AB900 (shown above) is a stand-alone amplified answering machine designed to interface with an existing telephone and to work like a traditional stand-alone answering machine. The unit is equipped with an adjustable VOLUME button which amplifies messages up to 40dB and a rotary frequency TONE control. More importantly, the AB900 is equipped with a rotary PLAY BACK speed control, allowing the user to adjust the speed of recorded messages.
The ClearSounds ANS3000 digital amplified answering machine is also available (pictured to the left). This particular answering machine offers up to 30dB of amplification and is equipped with easy-to-read buttons. The ANS3000 offers three levels of message play back speed control; level 1 plays messages at normal speed, level 2 at slower speeds, and level 3 at the slowest speed. Like the Amplicom AB900, messages may also accessed remotely. Keep these new products in mind for your patients!
