Thankful For My Pocketalker (And My Friendly AT Advocate!)

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This September an older adult in Long Beach had the good fortune of connecting with Assistive Technology (AT) Specialist Samantha Mam at Disabled Resources Center, not far from his home.
His lovely letter warmed our hearts and reminded us of why we love serving our community.

Photo of elder man, elder woman, and young Asian woman smiling. Text: Thankful for my Pocketalker and friendly AT Advocate!

Dear Samantha,
Thank you for the help, first with information about Ability Tools, second with the enrollment on the website, and lastly with loaning me the Pocketalker.
I am 90 yrs. old and have worked in manufacturing all my life, and as a result I lost my hearing in one ear and 85% from the other. It has been frustrating for me and probably my family too that I cannot hear them when they speak to me.
I became aware of the Pocketalker after my son saw it in a magazine advertisement. I was hesitant to purchase it because I wasn’t sure if it really worked. I have wasted my money on items from magazines before that were absolute crap and didn’t want to do it again, also because my wife will get upset with me.
I came across the Disabled Resources Center website one day, hence, how I found you. You were very kind and compassionate, which is hard to find these days in young people. Your instructions were easy to follow and you were less than 10 miles from my home.

You were very kind and compassionate, which is hard to find these days in young people. Your instructions were easy to follow and you were less than 10 miles from my home.

I’m glad that you were able to loan it to me to try out. The Pocketalker worked great! I have since purchased one of my own.
I can now hear my family once again, but also if choose not to I can also take it off. Don’t tell my wife I said that.
Thank you again, and I will definitely use the loan program again. Your friend for life. However long that is for me.
-Noah Elliot

A grey pocket talker with black headset attached.
Pocketalker(R) is a personal amplifier made by Williams Sound.

Samantha Mam is the Assistive Technology Specialist/Webmaster at Disabled Resources Center in Long Beach, California. Click here to find an Ability Tools Device Lending and Demonstration Center near you!