Easy to use mobile phones: Features explained
40 million adults in Europe experience problems using mobile phones, and this number increases with age, according to a study at Cambridge University.
Anyone with hearing, vision or dexterity problems is likely to have very different requirements from their mobile phone. Advanced functions like music players and touch screen interfaces are far less important than accessibility features like high contrast screens and large well-spaced buttons.
A few companies have now started producing specialist mobile phone handsets that attempt to meet these requirements. These are also designed to be easy to use, but they can be expensive.
Mobile phone usability
Size
Specialist phones are larger than regular handsets, and have bigger buttons
Mobile phones have become smaller in recent years. Yet while this makes them easier to slip into your pocket, it presents a problem to many users.
For people with limited dexterity it can be difficult to operate these modern mobile phones. Specialist phones tend to be much larger, making them easier to grip and allowing the keys to be bigger.
Easy-to-read display
Larger mobile phones also have enough space to incorporate bigger screens, making them easier to read. Yet it’s not just about the size. Clarity is also crucial.
While simple monochrome displays may look ugly compared to the latest colour screens, they make text easier to read. They’re also less likely to have busy wallpaper cluttering the screen.
User-friendly controls
Many mobile phone handsets now have touch screens, yet our user panel of older people found them very difficult to use. Instead they preferred large, well-spaced keys.
Some specialist mobile phones have a reduced number of buttons, making them easier to use. Instead of the full keypad they just have five buttons, each operating a special speed dial number. Some also have dedicated keys to call the emergency services.
Specialist mobile phone features
Hearing-aid compatibility
A mobile phone described as hearing-aid compatible has a built-in inductive coupler in the handset and may sound clearer if you use a hearing aid set to the 'T' (Telecoil) setting.
Screen-reader software
It’s possible to buy special software such as TALKS Premium that operates as a screen reader for mobile phones to make them easier to use for people with sight problems.
It converts the contents of the display into speech, so you can easily access call lists, create entries in your contacts, read and write text messages and emails, change profiles and even browse the internet.
Magnification software
Another option is ZOOMS, an easy-to-use magnification software package for low-vision mobile phone users. Using ZOOMS, the mobile handset display can be magnified up to 16 times its original size. The display can be switched into black and white or grey scale for easier viewing, and text can be set to scroll automatically across the screen.
Conventional mobile phone features
Texting
Sending text, or SMS, messages is hugely popular. But for anyone with hearing difficulties it can be an especially valuable means of communication.
Some specialist mobile phones don’t allow you to send text messages so check before you buy.
Adjustable ringer
Most mobile phones allow you to adjust the volume to make them ring more loudly. Many also let you adjust the melody, which may help if you find it hard to hear high tones. Alternatively you can set the phone to vibrate instead of ring.
Voice-activated dialling
A lot of mobile phones have voice-activated dialling systems, which makes it easier to make calls as you can call a person by speaking their name aloud, rather than scrolling through your phone’s menus.
Hands-free kits are available so you don’t have to hold your phone when you’re on a call.
Mobile phone battery
Battery life is important as easy-to-use mobile phone handsets are likely to be used by vulnerable people who rely on them in an emergency. Fortunately we found the battery life in the phones we tested to be pretty good. This is helped by the devices’ lack of power-hungry features like music players.
One innovation is that the Emporia Life mobile phone can be powered by regular batteries, which could be vital in an emergency.