I also have a soft voice and find it difficult to project my voice. About a month ago I bought a Chatter Vox amplifier from Bruce Medical Supply for $169. It works very well and I thought about posting my experience with it. Your inquiry pushed me to post it.

It is a little heavy and I feel conspicuous when I wear it, however, the pluses outweigh the minuses.

Here is what I found: 1. It works great in the car and even someone in the backseat can hear me 2. I use it when I'm on the phone and it works very well there also 3. I use it in restaurants and the wait person hears me easily most of the time 4. I set the volume between 9 and 10 o'clock , but in a noisy environment I may need to go a little higher, and that is easy to do.

My wife encourages me to use it. When I don't use it and I get a negative reaction to my voice I realize how much it helps.

When I'm out I keep the headset mike around my neck rather than on my head. That makes me less self conscious. Some people do look at me and once in awhile someone asks me what it is.

If anyone reading this has a Chattervox I'd appreciate it if you would tell me if the speaker emits a slight hiss. My unit does, but I don't think it did when I bought it. Bruce Medical told me to return it and they will check it out, but I don't want to give it up, especially if the hiss is normal.

I do find it a nuissance when I'm eating, or if I need to blow my nose. You won't believe how often you put your hands to your face until you wear one of these things. But I'm not sorry that I bought it, and if I only used in the car and on the phone it would be worth the price.

Bill Piche

To add two points to Douglas's comments.

1. It is valuable to think of our amplifiers not just in terms of the effect on those of us who use them - i.e., we remove limitations, but are conspicuous. Amplifiers also are a kindness to people who work with us and socialize with us; it makes dealing with us easier for them. Personally, I'm willing to use a device that weighs a pound and gets looks or questions in order to make interacting with me easier for my friends and business associates.

2. That feedback squeal can be very useful for getting the attention of a waiter in a loud restaurant that has poor service.

I hope this helps. Thanks for your comments.

John