Are There Speakers in Medical Pendant Necklaces?
At the core of every medical alert system is the ability to communicate with a call center agent during an emergency. Every basic medical pendant necklace has a base station. In more traditional models, the base station is stationary and has a two-way voice speakerphone built into it.
The challenge with that model is that the senior citizen might not be close to the base station. That means they might have difficulties hearing or being heard by call center agents on the other end of the line. To curb that challenge, manufacturers advise that the base station be placed in a room where the person using it spends most of their time.
Embedded Speakers in a Medical Pendant Necklace
Two-way talking pendants help solve the problems surrounding a stationary base station. There are two types of two-way talking pendants. One is designed for in-home use and the other is for outdoor use. The former has a speaker and a microphone integrated into the medical pendant necklace (the help button). The controller connects to the base station wirelessly. However, it will only connect if the person using it is within a certain range of the base station.
The second type is the mobile two-way talking pendant. Both the base station and the speaker are built-in with this one. That means it can work anywhere as long as there is cellular network coverage. Such pendants are also easy to use. If an emergency happens, all the user needs to do is press the help button and they will talk with the call center agent through the pendant itself. The mobile two-way talking pendant is a great option if your loved one needs immediate access to help.
Battery Life in Two-way Communication Pendants
Some medical pendant necklaces that support two-way communication can be used for up to three days without being charged. The pendant comes with a charging station, where you can place it during the recharge. The system can operate on either Wi-Fi or a cellular network, which means you do not need a landline.
Such pendants are also ideal for users who are constantly on-the-go because the base station also supports GPS tracking. Even if your loved one cannot communicate, the call center agent can automatically detect their location and dispatch help.
Another common feature in mobile pendants is fall detection. Some manufacturers offer that as a primary feature, while others offer it as an upgrade.
How to Choose the Best Pendant withBuilt-in Speakers
Medical alert pendants with a built-in speakerphone are becoming more and more popular. Since there are so many of them on the market, it can be hard to know which one to choose. Here are three things to consider when buying one:
- Size
Since the pendant also houses the base station, these systems can be bigger than traditional help buttons. Try to look for a medical pendant necklace that’s on the smaller side. You don’t want it to be too heavy or awkward to carry around.
- Waterproof
If your loved one is in the rain or drops the medical pendant in water, it would be good to know that the pendant would still work. That’s why finding a fully waterproof one is both smart and safe. The user will have access to help no matter what sort of accidents happen.
- Pricing
Look for a pendant necklace that is affordable and within budget. If you decide to go for a monitored alert system, you need to find out about the monthly service fee. The user is always connected to a trained responder with a monitored alert system. That might be ideal if no one is close by to provide personal attention in an emergency.
The other alternative is a non-monitored system that usually has an upfront cost. When the user pushes the button, the system rings a designated emergency contact. Should the emergency contact be out of reach, it calls 911.
Keep Your Loved Ones Safe
A medical pendant necklace with in-built speakers is one of the best ways to keep an elderly loved one safe, especially if he or she is living alone. You and your loved one will both feel greater peace of mind with a device like this; there will always be a way to immediately alert for help.
Also Read: Five Ways of Supporting A Friend Diagnosed With A Terminal Illness
