Key Takeaways
- CaptionCall hardware and services are no-cost to those with hearing loss who need captions
- CaptionCall offers services through a landline and mobile app
- CaptionCall comes with full in-home installation - start with this form
There's a certain intimacy to phone conversations that text messages just can't replicate. Whether it's coordinating plans or simply catching up, the act of speaking voice-to-voice keeps us connected, even across distances.
Growing up, my family experienced firsthand the importance of these conversations when my grandfather had a stroke affecting his speech. Despite living miles away, our daily phone calls became a lifeline, fulfilling his doctor's prescription of an hour of active conversation each day.
But for those with hearing loss, this essential form of communication presents unique challenges. The struggle to hear clearly on the phone is a familiar one, with many resorting to cranking up the volume to catch every word.
Recently, I had the opportunity to test a product designed to ease this struggle for individuals with hearing loss.
What's even better? It comes at no cost to the user. But more on that later.
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CaptionCall Background
CaptionCall, a service provided by Sorenson Communications, entered the scene in 2011 as a solution to strained phone calls.
Born out of Sorenson's expertise in telecommunications, particularly their development of Video Relay Service (VRS) technology, CaptionCall took a different approach. Instead of relying on sign language interpreters, it offers real-time captions displayed on a large, easy-to-read screen during phone conversations.
We especially appreciate the service aspect of CaptionCall's offerings, which encompasses comprehensive installation support, strong privacy protocols, emergency 911 call management, and speed dial functionality.
CaptionCall is not just its captioning feature but also its powerful amplification, boosting phone conversations by up to 40dB, the strongest among its competitors. Today, CaptionCall is the leading provider of caption phones in the United States, offering a range of models to suit different user needs.
How Can CaptionCall Be a No-Cost Service?
You might be wondering, how can such a comprehensive service come at no cost? CaptionCall operates under the federal government's Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) program, mandated by the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA).
This program ensures equal access to telephone calls for people with hearing loss by reimbursing Sorenson for each minute of captioning service provided, funded by fees collected by the FCC from telecommunications companies. In short, there's no catch.
CaptionCall Installation Process
Now, let's dig into the installation process that sets CaptionCall apart.
- Getting started: After filling out this form, I was promptly contacted by my installer, Glen. Together, we scheduled a convenient time for installation. When Glen arrived for our appointment, he came prepared with all the necessary hardware and connectors to tackle any potential issues.
- Questionnaire: Glen kicked off the installation by guiding me through a questionnaire, gathering information like my name and date of birth. From there, he started setting up my device and syncing it with my cell phone.
- Device setup: As a user, I had the option to connect the device to a landline. However, given my reliance on my cell phone, I opted for a Bluetooth connection. This setup effectively turned my landline into an extension of my iPhone, automatically disconnecting and reconnecting when I come and go from the room. Throughout the installation, Glen walked me through the device's settings, demonstrating how to create contacts and customize my preferred frequency settings.
- Customer service: At some point in the conversation I asked Glen what I would do if the device broke down or needed an update. He shared his cell number along with a 1800 number. CaptionCall will come back and take the device away if it’s no longer needed or make repairs if anything breaks down.
In the end, the entire installation experience was quite comprehensive, requiring minimal effort on my part. I couldn't help but be impressed by the level of service provided by Glen and the CaptionCall team.
Real-Time Captions
Now, onto perhaps the most critical question: the accuracy and real-time nature of the captions. Based on my experience, both the CaptionCall landline and smartphone app deliver captions with approximately 95% accuracy.
While there are occasional misses, I've found that I can still easily follow conversations, especially in situations where sound quality may pose challenges.
On the landline, there's a slight 1-2 second delay between the speaker's words and the corresponding captions appearing on the screen. However, the Smartphone app offers a closer-to-real-time experience, with only a fraction of a second delay.
Final Thoughts
Overall, CaptionCall delivers on its core promise of providing accurate captions and enhancing clarity during phone conversations.
Is CaptionCall suitable for everyone? Certainly not. If you don't have hearing loss or don't require caption support, you won't qualify for the service. Additionally, if you're highly tech-savvy, you might opt for built-in captioning services offered by Apple or Google.
However, if you appreciate having a landline at home and value clear captions, CaptionCall could be a worthwhile option, especially considering its no-cost offering.
Get started with the no-cost CaptionCall Service by filling out this form.
Legal notes from CaptionCall: CaptionCall and CaptionCall Mobile are available in the United States only. FEDERAL LAW PROHIBITS ANYONE BUT REGISTERED USERS WITH HEARING LOSS FROM USING INTERNET PROTOCOL (IP) CAPTIONED TELEPHONES WITH THE CAPTIONS TURNED ON. IP captioned telephone service may use a live operator. The operator generates captions of what the other party to the call says. These captions are then sent to your phone. There is a cost for each minute of captions generated, paid from a federally administered fund. No costs are passed along to individuals who qualify for the service. The CaptionCall phone and CaptionCall Mobile app remain the property of Sorenson in order to provide ongoing support, service, and upgrades.
