Find out how to choose the best hearing loss telephone for your needs.
If you or someone you know experiences hearing loss, a hearing loss telephone can improve your communication over the phone by providing hearing loss-friendly features like amplification and written captions of the conversation. But how do you choose the best phone for hearing loss for your unique situation? In this guide, we’ll cover phones for people with hearing loss and the best options for certain scenarios.
Types of Phones for People with Hearing Loss
The latest advancements in technology have made it easier than ever to find phones specifically designed for people with hearing loss. These phones provide sophisticated sound control, hearing aid compatibility, written captions, and more. The main four types of hearing loss telephones include:
- Captioned telephones: provide written captions of every word your caller says
- Amplifier telephones: allow you to turn up the volume of incoming sounds above the levels of a standard phone
- Text-to-voice teletype telephones: allow you to communicate through typed messages over the phone that the relay service converts to voice for your caller
- Hearing aid compatible telephones: channel sounds directly into your hearing aids
Now, let’s look at what type of hearing loss telephone is best for you based on the following situations.
Scenario 1: If you have low vision
If you have low vision, you may wish to look for a hearing loss phone with large buttons, font sizes, and display options. The CapTel 880i captioned telephone model is specially designed for people with low vision and comes with extra-large display settings for easy reading.
Scenario 2: If you don’t have access to high-speed Internet
Some phones for hearing loss require high-speed Internet to display captions and provide additional amplification and sound quality control. If you do not have access to the Internet, look for an analog model that still provides the same beneficial features that will make your phone calls easier.
The CapTel 840 is ideal for people with hearing loss who do not have access to high-speed Internet at home. This captioned phone works with your standard analog telephone line to provide both the captions and the voice of your caller to your phone.
Check out our helpful article on equipment needed to use a captioned phone for hearing loss to ensure you’re fully equipped to set up and use any CapTel hearing loss phone.
Scenario 3: If you’d like a modern design with a touch screen
If you prefer a modern telephone design, the best phone for hearing loss for you might feature a touch-screen display, Bluetooth® wireless technology, and additional customization settings such as adjustable tone control based on your personal audiogram. Our contemporary captioned phone model, CapTel 2400i, checks all these boxes and even includes dial-by-picture functionality.
Additional musts to look for in a modern designed hearing loss telephone include:
- Built-in answering machine
- Adjustable display font sizes and colors
- Display screen tilting or mounting on a wall
- Adjustable volume control
- One-touch access to customer service
- Large built-in phone book
- Caller-ID
- Speed dial keys for frequently called numbers
Scenario 4: if you feel most comfortable with traditional phones
If you feel most comfortable with the traditional style and feel of a telephone, look for a model that contains the features you need in a simple, easy-to-use design. The receiver, buttons, and feature placement can help make the phone feel familiar. The CapTel 840i and 840 models resemble this traditional telephone look, with the added benefit of an easy-to-read display screen for captions.
When you are shopping for a traditional hearing loss telephone, consider searching for:
- Built-in answering machine
- Large built-in phone book
- Caller-ID
- Adjustable display font sizes and colors
- Adjustable volume control
Scenario 5: If you want additional amplification features
Volume and tone control are both important features that can help maximize your hearing experience over the phone. Built-in amplification in all CapTel models makes it easy to turn the sound up louder than a traditional phone. You can also adjust tone and frequency settings to suit your unique hearing needs. Depending on the level that’s easiest to hear, you can choose the low (man’s deep voice), high (child’s high-pitched voice), or mid-range (moderate level speakers) setting. These additional amplification and sound control features can help improve the listening experience over the phone.
Scenario 6: If you need hearing aid compatibility
If you use hearing aids, the best phone for hearing loss will be hearing aid compatible (HAC). Hearing aid compatible telephones will have an induction loop in the handset that can connect directly to your hearing aid when you turn it to its T-coil (telecoil) setting. Once connected, the sound output from the sound will be transmitted directly into your hearing aids. All CapTel captioned telephone models also come with a hearing aid compatible handset to easily connect with your hearing aids.
Learn more about this type of hearing loss telephone in our guide, Things to Know Before Buying a Hearing Aid Compatible Telephone.
The information contained in this useful guide can help you find the best phone for hearing loss based on your unique needs and situation. If you or someone you know could benefit from a CapTel captioned telephone, contact us online or call (800) 233-9130 for assistance.
