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Modern telephones are sometimes complicated to use by seniors.
They can get lost in the menus while looking for their correspondent in the directory.
The photophone solves this problem.
It has all the classic functions of a telephone, including a numeric keypad with large keys, to be easier to read.
They also include several customizable keys with thumbnail photos in order to be able to put the faces of several correspondents directly accessible.
With a simple press of one of its keys, the call is launched.
Some may also offer answering machine or hands-free speakerphone functions to better hear conversations.
Selection of the best Photophones in 2022
Swissvoice Xtra 1110: a powerful ringtone for the hearing impaired
Geemarc Photophone 100: 8 memory keys with photo
Doro Secure 347: a wired telephone with 2 remote controls to wear on the wrist
Alcatel TMAX 10: simple and equipped with a keyboard with large keys
Geemarc AmpliDECT 595: DECT cordless telephone
Geemarc AmpliDECT 295: SOS box to wear in case of emergency
Geemarc AmpliDECT 595 Combi: a wired telephone with a cordless handset
Geemarc AmpliDECT 295 Combi Photo: a cordless handset with photo keys
Swissvoice Xtra 1110: a powerful ringtone for the hearing impaired
This model of Photophone has several advantages.
It is a corded telephone equipped with a numeric keypad with large keys.
It has a loudspeaker function with 30 dB amplification easily usable thanks to a red button.
It is equipped with 6 photo keys at the top of the keyboard to allow you to simply call 6 stored contacts.
Its powerful 85 dB buzzer sounds and is accompanied by a flashing red light signal.
Most :
Loud ringtone
The lessers :
Average sound amplification
See the price on Amazon
Geemarc Photophone 100: 8 memory keys with photo
Indispensable, the Geemarc Photophone 100 offers all the basic functions of a wired telephone.
Its large-key keyboard allows direct access to 8 correspondents with a photo and 3 other memory keys.
It has a ringtone that can be amplified up to 10 dB and a configurable light signal.
The hands-free function also allows conversations to be heard at a higher volume.
It offers very good value for money.
Most :
Its affordable price
The lessers :
Handset audio is a little weak
See the price on eBay
See the price on Amazon
Doro Secure 347: a wired telephone with 2 remote controls to wear on the wrist
Perfect to accompany the elderly on a daily basis, the Doro Secure comes with 2 remote controls to carry on you to call for help in an emergency.
One of the two is waterproof allowing a call to be triggered with a pre-recorded alert message.
It has, on its keyboard, 4 photo keys and a sound volume reaching a maximum of 108 dB.
Most :
Waterproof case usable in the shower
The lessers :
High price
See the price on Amazon
See the price at Fnac
Alcatel TMAX 10: simple and equipped with a keyboard with large keys
Simple, practical and inexpensive, this Photophone is an ideal solution for seniors.
It has 6 photo keys to easily call loved ones by viewing their faces.
The loudspeaker key stands out thanks to its red color for easy identification.
This photophone is also equipped with an indicator light to signal calls in addition to its ringtone.
The volume of the latter is adjustable.
Most :
Little price
The lessers :
Complicated key programming
See the price on Amazon
See the price at Fnac
Geemarc AmpliDECT 595: DECT cordless telephone
This model has the double advantage of having a digital screen and a keypad with large numbers while being a DECT cordless handset.
The base also receives 10 photo-customizable memory keys for easier use.
The phone has a loudspeaker function with amplification up to 50 dB.
Most :
10 customizable keys
The lessers :
SOS button incorrectly placed on the handset
See the price on Amazon
Geemarc AmpliDECT 295: SOS box to wear in case of emergency
The Photophone is offered here with an SOS box to carry on your person to warn of an emergency.
It also has a keyboard with large keys and 10 customizable memory keys with a photo.
A simple press of 3 seconds on one of these keys launches the call.
Simple and practical with its cordless handset, this phone is perfect for seniors.
Most :
SOS box
The lessers :
No SOS button on the phone
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Geemarc AmpliDECT 595 Combi: a wired telephone with a cordless handset
The Combi pack incorporates the characteristics of Geemarc's AmpliDECT 595 by adding a second cordless handset to the first.
The second handset does not have a base with customizable memory keys.
Most :
2 cordless handsets
The lessers :
No photo keys on the second handset
See the price on Amazon
See the price at Fnac
Geemarc AmpliDECT 295 Combi Photo: a cordless handset with photo keys
With this variant, Geemarc offers a cordless handset with 4 customizable memory keys and the possibility of activating the loudspeaker.
Very simple, it is practical to call these main contacts or emergencies.
The base includes a wired handset and a large screen to program the memory keys and see the number dialed.
This pack is a good compromise for simplified use.
Most :
Simplified cordless handset
The lessers :
Unable to dial a number on the cordless handset, memory access only
See the price on Amazon
See the price at Fnac
Why buy a Photophone in 2022?
To simplify telephone communications for seniors, the Photophone offers all the advantages of using a landline telephone without having to look for the different functions in menus that can sometimes seem complicated.
They have 4 to 10 customizable keys with a thumbnail of a photo.
This allows you to find your correspondent quickly with a simple look at the telephone keypad.
They are also equipped with a keypad with large keys to easily identify the numbers.
This makes it possible to simplify the dialing of a call number.
Most models have a hands-free speakerphone feature.
Some offer other additional functions.
Thus, it is possible to have a digital display to view the number and the name of the correspondent.
It also simplifies the programming of memory keys.
Others add the answering machine to record a message in case of absence.
Ringtones can be amplified to be heard better by people with impaired hearing.
They may be accompanied by a colored flashing light signal.
Finally, some models come with an emergency call box to carry on you.
It allows you to trigger a call with a pre-recorded message to alert a loved one or the emergency services.
Some brands offer waterproof cases that can also be worn in the shower.
How to choose the best Photophone today?
To choose the right Photophone, you have to ask yourself about its use.
The goal is to allow a person of advanced age to have a simple and practical telephone to use in all circumstances.
It must be equipped with large keys with numbers inscribed in a particularly legible large font.
The photo keys should be as large as possible to insert larger photos.
It is sometimes preferable to have 4 or 6 larger keys than 8 or 10, it is on a case by case basis.
The call boxes are a real plus, but you have to check that they are working properly on a regular basis.
Their battery or battery power supply must be checked frequently, a standardized battery or rechargeable battery model makes it easy to replace them.
The hands-free loudspeaker function allows you to amplify the volume of the sound to better hear conversations.
The amplification of the ringtone or the light signal when receiving a call is a plus for people with hearing difficulties.
We must also think about the usefulness or not of a cordless handset.
The latter is significantly more expensive, but also more fragile in the event of a fall, because it integrates all the electronic part with the keyboard and the digital screen.
It can be more easily misplaced in a home than a corded handset.
A good solution can be a pack combining a wired telephone and a cordless handset that can be taken to the terrace or the balcony for example.
Photophones offer an alternative for seniors to be able to keep in touch with their loved ones or call for help in an emergency. They make it possible to maintain a minimum of autonomy for our seniors still residing at home.
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