Telephone across the Life Span: An Issue for All

ABSTRACT

The telephone is a widely used, yet highly disregarded, instrument of daily living. Census data reveal that just fewer than 3% of U.S. homes were phoneless in the year 2000. The telephone has a significant impact on society and on individuals' lives. In the context of Maslow's hierarchy of human needs, this article explores how the telephone contributes to one's general well being at different points over the life span. Federal legislation mandates telephone accessibility for all individuals in the United States. Specific laws are explored. Finally, survey data on normal and hard-of-hearing listeners are reported in an effort to illustrate the need for hearing health practitioners to aggressively address telephone solutions.

KEYWORDS

Telephone - telecoil - disability - sociability

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