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Carsten Trads
Chattanooga-based Clarity on Tuesday unveiled a cell phone aimed at people over 65 who have vision and hearing loss.
“Mobile phones have not been designed to meet the needs of the millions of aging Americans,” said Carsten Trads, the company’s president.
The phone, dubbed ClarityLife, features a large display with prominent buttons. It also amplifies incoming sound by up to 20 decibel, according to the company which debuted the phone at a Las Vegas wireless conference.
In addition, the phone is equipped with a one-touch emergency response button. When activated, it will call and send text messages to five pre-programmed numbers.
“Safety is a serious concern for seniors and their children,” Mr. Trads said. “People want to know their parents are safe and they can call in the event of an emergency.”
The phone is slated for release in late summer. Mr. Trads said the phone, made in China, will cost $249, or $149 with a calling plan.
Bea Lyons, active in the Chattanooga chapter of the Hearing Loss Association of America, said the phone would work for people with mild or moderate hearing loss.
“Older people just starting to lose their hearing ... for those people, that would be perfect,” she said.
According to Clarity, the phone has a large, back-lit screen that’s twice the size of an average cell phone. It also has magnified text to help seniors with poor vision, the company said.
The phone features a strong vibrating ringer, a flashing orange LED to signal incoming calls and a flashlight. Clarity officials said the phone will allow users up to 180 minutes of talk time on a single charge.
“With ClarityLife, we are bringing our expertise in telephony for seniors and in hearing loss to the mobile phone market,” Mr. Trads said. “It seems like we’re on the right track.”
Clarity, a division of California-based Plantronics, designs, markets and distributes phones, amplifiers and other products to help those with hearing loss.
Interested buyers can reserve the first phones at www.clarityproducts.com.
Mike Pare, the deputy Business editor at the Chattanooga Times Free Press, has worked at the paper for 27 years. In addition to editing, Mike also writes Business stories and covers Volkswagen, economic development and manufacturing in Chattanooga and the surrounding area. In the past he also has covered higher education. Mike, a native of Fort Lauderdale, Fla., received a bachelor’s degree in communications from Florida Atlantic University. he worked at the Rome News-Tribune before ...
