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PCS'98: Nokia Introduces New Wireless Phone Accessory for Hearing Impaired
September 23, 1998
First-of-its-kind product features inductive technology, providing T-coil hearing aid users digital phone clarity
- IRVING, Texas - Nokia today announced the availability of a new Telecoil (T-coil) hearing aid compatible accessory designed specifically to provide improved communications for the hearing impaired. The new product works with Nokia 5100 or 6100 digital wireless phones and offers digital communications solutions to the more than two million T-coil hearing aid users in North America.
Inductive technology has been used for year in public areas such as auditoriums and concert halls to facilitate communications for the hard of hearing. Nokia has incorporated this technology into a personal accessory to offer digitally clear sound through a hearing aid for the first time. The new Nokia accessory is a mobile inductive Loopset that connects to Nokia's 5100 or 6100 series digital phones and works with hearing aids that contain a T-coil or T-switch.
Worn around the neck, the Loopset accessory attaches to the bottom of the phone. The T-coil shuts the microphone of the hearing aid off, so it becomes a receiver of the magnetic energy emitted by the Loopset. The T-coil then is able to convert those impulses to sound, thus eliminating background noise and improving the signal to noise ratio.
The Nokia LPS-1 Loopset was created by Nokia Design Engineer Mikko Haho, who has been hard of hearing since birth. In the past, when attempting to use a digital wireless handset, hearing impaired users experienced interference from the high-frequency electromagnetic signal emitted by digital phones. The interference - a "buzz" or "hum" in the hearing aid - made the use of a digital handset difficult. Inspired by his personal experience, Haho's solution now makes it possible for hearing-impaired people to use a digital mobile handset.
Nokia conducted an Internet press conference and simultaneous conference call to launch the Nokia LPS-1 Inductive Loopset. The conference provided the hearing impaired community greater access to information about the new product. John Ferrari, director of product launches and marketing, answered questions submitted the previous week through Nokia's Internet site. Participants were also able to submit questions on TTY and voice chat lines during the press conference.
"With the introduction of the Nokia LPS-1 Loopset, we are able to offer digital communications to a segment of the population previously unable to enjoy benefits of wireless phones," said Keith Nowak, product manager, accessories at Nokia Mobile Phones. "Used with a Nokia 5100 or 6100 series phone and a belt clip, the Loopset gives the consumer a convenient and comfortable way to carry and use the phone to its full potential."
The Nokia LPS-1 Loopset is powered by three hearing aid batteries and comes pre-packaged with six zinc air batteries. In addition to the Nokia LPS-1 Loopset, Nokia offers other accessories and features in their digital handsets, making their products more accessible and complementary for the disabled community. Key features include a vibrating alert for incoming calls using an optional vibrating battery; up to 199 alphanumeric memories; a large, back-lit graphical display making text and numbers easy to read; text messaging and an "auto answer" feature allowing users to be "hands free" while using either the Nokia LPS-1 Loopset or headset accessories. The Nokia 5100 series features the Nokia NaviKey, an easy-to-learn, one button navigation for the phone, enabling simple, one-handed use.
Nokia is a broad-scope communications company supplying mobile phones, mobile and fixed telecommunications networks, wireless data communications solutions, multimedia terminals and computer monitors. In 1997, net sales totaled FIM 52.6 billion ($9.8 billion). Headquartered in Finland, Nokia is listed on the NYSE (NOK.A), has sales in 130 countries and employs more than 41,000 people worldwide.
Contact information:
Megan Matthews
Communications Manager
Nokia
Tel. +1 972 257 9267
Nicole Fischer
Crescent Communications
Tel. +1 404 287 2000 ext. 179
http://www.nokia.com/loopset
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