Speaker volume indicator for telephone handsets

A telephone device to assist users in regulating a loudness level of their speech when speaking on the telephone, comprising:

• a telephone handset;
• one or more display elements incorporated into the handset, each having two or more states;
• a microphone incorporated into the handset, which detects the loudness level of speech, and comprises a microphone output signal;
• an electronic circuit, which inputs the microphone output signal, and which produces one or more display driver outputs which are connected to the display elements,
• so that the loudness level of the user's speech is reflected in the state of the display elements.

An apparatus in the form of a modular package, attachable to a telephone handset, to assist hard-of-hearing users in regulating a loudness level of their speech, comprising:

• one or more display elements, each having two or more states, affixed to the handset in a location whereby the user may observe the display elements while speaking into the handset;
• a microphone, detecting the loudness level of speech, and having a level signal output;
• and
• an electronic circuit, which inputs the level signal output, and produces one or more display driver outputs, each of which is connected to a corresponding display element;
• so that the level of the user's speech is reflected in the state of the display elements.

A removeable wrap, used to assist hard-of-hearing persons in the use of a telephone handset, the wrap comprising a body, formed of a thin, flexible material, in which a speaker opening is formed, and the body further comprising:

• (a) a first end tab a second end tab;
• (b) means for fastening the body to the telephone hand set attached to each end tab;
• (c) electronic circuitry which detects loudness of the person's speech, and which drives a loudness indication, the circuitry contained within the body and disposed within a sealed electronics compartment;
• (d) a microphone exposed on an upper face of the body, and contained within the sealed electronics compartment;
• and
• (e) a battery compartment disposed with the body;
• wherein the loudness indication is affixed to the body,
• so that user wraps the body about the telephone handset and fastens it thereto using the fastening means, with the speaker opening exposing the handset speaker, allowing the user to regulate the loudness of her speech in accordance with the loudness indication.