No-Cost Amplified Phone With Captioning Service
- CaptionCall's service and phone are no-cost to those who qualify
- No doctor's note needed
- Users can turn off captions when they are not needed
- Home phone displays easy-to-read captions
- CaptionCall's no-cost service is available for mobile phones
Key Takeaways:
- Caption phones are a great way to make phone calls easier for those with hearing loss.
- CaptionCall is one no-cost option for those with hearing loss who need captions. Start with this form.
- Captioning support is available for landline phones as well as mobile phones via an app.
The other day I went to pick up dinner from a local restaurant. It was a busy night, and eight or ten people joined me in line as I stood there. Like clockwork, each of them pulled out their phone and began texting, gaming, or even calling friends until it was their turn.
Nowadays, being anywhere without your phone makes you an island – you’re unreachable, and you’ll have better luck finding a messenger pigeon than a working payphone.
This phone-first culture creates unique challenges for seniors and the hearing impaired who may have a hard time hearing the ringtone on their phone or deciphering a family member or friend's speech. At home, the wrong phone can lead to your partner becoming your secretary or translator. Fortunately, there are some great phones out there that can ensure you always get the message.
In this guide, I’ll outline some of the best hearing impaired phones on the market along with their features, prices.
What to Look For in a Telephone If You Are Hearing Impaired
Any phone needs the basics like speed dial, number memory, voice messaging, and so on, but if you have impaired hearing, there are 4 features you should pay attention to:
Ringer Volume
Having a ringer that you can hear is a no-brainer, but that loudness depends on the individual. The ringer volume is listed in the manufacturer's specifications in decibels (dB). Remember that dBs is a logarithmic scale; 20 dB is twice as loud as 10 dB, 30 dB is 10 times louder than 20 dB. As a rough guide, a typical phone rings at around 70 dB.
Noticeable Visual Representation
Most phones will light up when you get a message or call, but phones designed especially for the hard of hearing often come with additional flashing lights to ensure an incoming call won't be missed.
Loud & Clear Audio
Volume is not the only criteria to look for in a phone. The models listed below also have features that improve clarity with sophisticated filters that "clean up" the caller's voice, making it much easier to hear and understand.
High-Tech Additions
It could be worth choosing a phone that offers cutting-edge technologies that slow down the caller's voice or show captions on a screen.