Free Caption Phone Helps People with Hearing Loss Stay in Touch

Phone conversation is displayed in text on a large screen

Because using the telephone can become difficult (if not impossible) for people with hearing difficulties, many tend to avoid phone conversations. Not only does this diminish their social and business interactions, but it also robs them of a valuable lifeline if they need help.

The CaptionCall® captioned telephone works like a regular telephone—just dial and answer calls as usual. Speak and listen using the phone handset. The caption phone displays the live phone conversation in easy-to-read text on a large screen.

Provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) for those who have professionally certified hearing loss, the phone and caption service are free of charge for those who qualify. Simply complete a form on the CaptionCall website and have a doctor in one of the approved areas of practice sign the form.

If you’re unable to get a doctor’s signature, you can pay a one-time $75 fee to self-certify the phone user’s medically recognized hearing loss. There are no extra charges for delivery, installation, or customer support.

 Before you order, make sure the phone user has the following:

• Medically recognized hearing loss
• High-speed Internet connection
• Standard home phone connection
• Standard electrical outlet

 For hearing-impaired iPad users, a free mobile app enables CaptionCall customers to make and receive calls directly on their iPad.

After you order the phone, a local trainer helps install the device in the house. The trainer then shows the user (and his or her family) how it works. The trainer also helps complete the paperwork required by the FCC.