Often the special needs of the elderly can be a disadvantage when attempting to use cell phones, and these options can be especially confusing to consumers with minimal technical abilities. To help ease the problem, Motorola has patented cell phone technology adaptable for the hearing impaired.

By automatically detecting speech patterns of the elderly, the technology automatically boosts incoming and outgoing audio while simplifying menu structure and increasing font size.

The special needs of the elderly can often be in conflict with other users, such as the youth which often desire the smallest, most feature rich devices possible. Hence, the technology allows one device to adapt and accommodate to both market segments.

First the phone determines that the user is elderly by detecting speech acoustics based upon lower speech rate, and less energy and trembling within the speech utterances.

Once recognized, the cell phone adjusts incoming audio by boosting the high frequency bands through audio processors while simultaneously increasing the power of the outgoing signal to improve intelligibility.

Additionally, the graphical user interface is automatically changed to adjust based on visual characteristics of elderly users. Font size is increased and menu structures are simplified, making the phone easier to use.

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1. Posted by stargrl357	Sat May 06, 2006 2:31 am
does this mean the razr is going to be marketed to grandpa now too?
2. Posted by booboy	Sat May 06, 2006 5:36 am
Knowing Motorola, they'll release a "Senior RAZR" shortly, probably in various colors like maroon and burgundy.
3. Posted by Pogo	Mon May 22, 2006 2:57 am
this is a wonderful idea. but with the voice recognition thing, this wouldn't be able to used by the hearing or visually impaired who aren't elderly... but i guess those people would probably buy big blocky phones.
4. Posted by Cadd	Thu May 25, 2006 11:20 pm
Elderly people probably need phones most too. I've been asked by my family which phones are best for old people. Normally I just tell them to find the cheapest, largest, no frills phone.
5. Posted by mgoblue	Fri May 26, 2006 10:11 am
Someone should just make cell phones for the disabled. I recall reading about a company that made Kosher phones in Israel. If they can sell Kosher phones then there's gotta be a market for the disabled and/or elderly.
6. Posted by dotcalm	Mon May 29, 2006 5:04 pm
Someone should just make cell phones for the disabled. I recall reading about a company that made Kosher phones in Israel. If they can sell Kosher phones then there's gotta be a market for the disabled and/or elderly. I can be classified as "elderly" if I permitted it; however, I just read about the kosher phones and would love to have one, being neither jewish nor kosher. I just don't need or want any of the bells and whistles on the phones. No camera, no text-messaging, one ringtone, a phone book, and a prepaid card plan. Are you listening prepaids?

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