What are “hands free kits” and why are they useful?
Hands free kits are devices which plug into the base of a mobile phone and allow the user to speak into a microphone and hear a reply through an earphone or loudspeaker (see Figure 1). The advantage to hearing aid users is that the kit allows the phone to be used away from the ear and the hearing aid, significantly reducing the likely level of interference. In addition inductive coupling can be provided in conjunction with, or in place of, an earphone. Some mobile phone manufacturers are now providing such facilities but you may find that they will only fit certain models in the manufacturer’s range.
