Secaucus, N.J. –
Panasonic has introduced a new DECT 6.0 home phone with a feature set designed
to ease operation for users with hearing loss, impaired vision or suffering
from arthritis.
The phone, model
KX-TG6591T, features Tone Equalizer, Talking Caller ID and Any Key Answer to
allow users to hear conversations more
clearly and operate the phone with minimal button pushing.
The Talking Caller
ID announces caller ID information between rings using text-to-speech
technology. Any-key Answer allows any handset key to be pressed to answer a
call, and the ergonomically designed handset features a rubberized non-slip
grip.
The Tone Equalizer
feature allows users with mild to moderate hearing loss to use a toggle switch
on the handset to boost the frequencies they hear best in callers’ voices:
treble, mid-range or bass.
The phone also has
large, rubberized backlit buttons, a large-character white backlit 1.9-inch LCD
display, and a hands-free speakerphone on the handset as well as in the base
unit.
The KX-TG6591T
also incorporates features that are found on all 2011 Panasonic single-line
cordless telephones, such as Intelligent Eco mode, which automatically reduces
power consumption when using the handset close to the base unit, a programmable
Call Block list, and a silent mode which can be programmed to not ring during
designated time periods.
Additional
features include intercom functionality between handsets or the base unit,
shared phonebook, five-melody/five-tone ringtones on the handset, a locator
button to find misplaced handsets, and a headset jack and belt clip on the
handset. The base unit is wall mountable.
The handsets
include rechargeable AAA NiMH batteries.
The phone has received
an Ease-of-Use commendation from the Arthritis Foundation, Panasonic said.
“Panasonic is
committed to designing accessible products that advance the principles of
universal design — attractive, unobtrusive and easy to use for people of a
variety of ages and ability levels,” said Bill Taylor, president of Panasonic
System Networks Company of America. “As we age, many people want a phone that
meets our changing needs but do not want to sacrifice design and
functionality.”
“Aside from
being a stressful and frustrating effect of hearing loss, difficulty hearing on
the telephone can negatively impact one’s quality of life,” said Dr. Natalye
Faison, audiologist, Panasonic healthcare group, which develops and
manufactures digital hearing devices. “Many people with hearing loss find it
especially difficult to hear certain sounds because their hearing loss may
affect only a specific range of pitches, Panasonic’s new phones offer the
flexibility to control the bass, mid-range or treble tones in a caller’s voice for
maximum clarity.”
The KX-TG6591T
cordless phone is available at retail nationwide for a suggested retail price
of $59.95, which includes one handset. A two-handset model, KX-TG6592T, is
$79.95. Both models are expandable up to six handsets and additional handsets
can be purchased for $19.95 each.
More information
on Panasonic home phones is available at
.
