Telephone Tips

Platinum Series (PSP) Body-Worn Sound Processor

Using Telephones with Platinum Series Body-Worn Processors
Advanced Bionics offers accessories that provide different listening options when using a telephone with your Platinum Series Processor (PSP).

Below are some examples:

1. Using the Headpiece Microphone
2. Telephone Adapter
3. Telecoil Pickup Telephone Adapter

Using the Headpiece Microphone

Simply place the handset speaker of the telephone over your headpiece microphone. This simple method does not require additional accessories. 

Telephone Adapter (#AB-8750)

The telephone adapter cable and assembly provides a direct connection between the telephone and the body worn processor. To use, unplug your telephone handset. Plug the telephone cord on the telephone adapter in place of the telephone handset receiver. The handset receiver should be plugged into the side of the telephone adapter. Finally, plug the mono plug on the telephone adapter into the auxiliary jack on the side of the speech processor. Once connected, lift the phone handset, and you should hear a dial tone.

To order the Telephone Adapter (#AB-8750), visit the Webstore or call Customer Care at (877) 829-0026, (800) 678-3575 TTY, or customercare@advancedbionics.com.

Telecoil Pickup Telephone Adapter (#AB-7750)

The Telecoil Pickup Telephone Adapter is a second method for using the phone. The Telecoil Pickup Telephone Adapter plugs into the auxiliary jack on the side of the Speech Processor and the suction cup sticks to the back side of the earpiece of the telephone receiver. Placement may need to be adjusted for the strongest signal. Once connected, if the telephone handset is lifted, a dial tone should be heard.

To order the Telecoil Pickup Telephone Adapter (#AB-7750), visit the Webstore at or call Customer Care at (877) 829-0026, (800) 678-3575 TTY, or customercare@advancedbionics.com.

Other Information to Consider When Using a Telephone
Cordless phones can be used with the PSP.*

Some features to consider are:

• Volume control
• Speaker phone capability
• Headset jack to:
  • plug in a patch cord for direct connection to the cochlear implant
• Hearing-aid compatibility of the phone
• Compatibility of the transmission frequency of the cordless phone and the cochlear implant
  • 900 MHz cordless phones work well
  • 2.4 GHz cordless phones usually work well, although occasionally a model may result in interference
  • 5.8 GHz cordless phones are compatible, but occasionally a model may result in interference.
  • 49 MHz cordless phones are not compatible with our cochlear implant

*Although cordless phones are compatible with cochlear implants, the phone user (not necessarily the implant user) may experience interference if the battery is low, the cordless phone user is too far from the base, and/or the implant patient passes between the base and the one using the cordless phone.

Cordless phones with these features can be purchased at your neighborhood electronics store or through specialty vendors that work with assistive listening devices developed specifically for individuals with hearing loss. Your audiologist may provide assistive listening devices, such as amplified telephones, or know of a resource in your immediate community.

These specialty phones are also available for purchase over the Internet. Below is a partial list of these assistive technology vendors. Additional vendors can be found by searching “assistive listening devices” on the Internet.*

Assistive Listening Devices Online Vendors

Clarity Products www.clarityproducts.com
HARC Accessolutions www.hacofamerica.com
Beyond Hearing Aids www.beyondhearingaids.com
Harris Communications www.harriscomm.com
Sound Clarity www.soundclarity.com
Audex www.audex.com

*Advanced Bionics does not support any products purchased through outside vendors.

Audio Mixing
Audio mixing options are available on the PSP. Audio mixing allows the headpiece microphone to remain active when connected directly to a telephone adapter or any other external audio input. This is important so that you can hear your own voice and environmental sounds in addition to the signal transmitted through the auxiliary device. You may need to see your audiologist to set up a program with the correct audio mixing for connecting to your telephone. If you are directly connecting to a telephone with a cable or adapter, you may want your audiologist to set up an audio mixing ratio of 100% auxiliary so that you hear only the sounds from the telephone.

For more information, please contact the Bionic Ear Association at: hear@advancedbionics.com.

The Bionic Ear Association (BEA) is a FREE membership organization that supports you and your family.

Whether you are considering cochlear implants or currently use them, the BEA provides resources, information and programs to support you along your Journey to Sound. Join today!