Best Caption Phones for Hard of Hearing

Smartphone Apps for Hearing Loss

Free caption phones are an excellent resource for hard-of-hearing individuals. They offer features that make it easier to engage in phone calls with confidence and clarity. 

However, one significant drawback of free caption phones is their lack of mobility; they are typically stationary devices that must be used at home or in an office, limiting their convenience for on-the-go communication. 

This is where smartphone apps with accessibility features, such as live transcription and captioning, become invaluable. 

The Nagish Smartphone App

Nagish is an FCC-certified service provider that offers the convenience of a free captioned phone while on the go. Using a smartphone, users can engage in phone and live conversations with ease, accuracy, and privacy.

The phone’s screen displays accurate, real-time captions, even during live conversations, and the font is easily adjustable to accommodate individuals' needs. 

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The app includes helpful and intuitive features to facilitate the flow of conversation, such as:

Caption your calls for free

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Enabling Incoming Calls

Most captioning services assign users a new phone number due to technical limitations, but Nagish lets you keep your existing phone number! That way, you don’t need to update your contact information.

Saved Transcripts

Save your call transcripts and easily access them to review past conversations anytime. They remain private and are saved locally on your device.

Personal Dictionary

Personalize your experience by indexing words, names, or business lingo so that Nagish always gets them right.

Built-in Spam Filter

Nagish automatically blocks spam calls, scammers, and telemarketing calls and allows you to block specific numbers from calling you.

Bluetooth Connectivity

This allows your assistive listening device such as hearing aids, cochlear implants, or other external listening device to pair seamlessly with Nagish.

Voicemail Transcription

Miss a call but never miss a message. Nagish will transcribe your voicemails so that you can easily access all your messages.

Adjustable Fonts

Nagish lets you modify the size of your captions, even during a call. 

Quick Replies

The quick replies feature enables you to save time and effort when typing responses, sending pre-made responses that you can access with the tap of a button.

Favorite Contacts

Connect with the people you engage with most by marking them as favorites.

Full Support Calling Automated Lines

Nagish uses a built-in keypad when asked to ‘press’ or ‘enter’ a number during a phone call.

Multilingual

The app supports multiple languages, including English, Spanish, Italian, Hebrew, and Japanese.

Personalization features

Allows you to select your voice tone of choice, which si what the person on the other end will hear.

Profanity Filter

Nagish includes a built-in profanity filter to keep language PG.

Free Caption Phones: What to Expect?

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Caption phones are specialized phones with accessible design features, such as:

• Screen Display

You’ll first notice that caption phones for hearing loss have a built-in screen above or next to the keypad. This screen displays the real-time text captions of the conversation, allowing the user to read along as they listen. 

• Keypad

The keypad usually displays large, easy-to-press buttons and a speakerphone option.

• Handset

The handset may also be larger than most standard phones with additional features like noise reduction or a built-in amplifier to improve sound quality.

• Connectivity

Some devices offer internet connectivity to enable faster and more accurate captioning services. Some models can also connect to smartphones, hearing aids, or other devices.

How To Get Caption Phones for Free

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) created the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS) Fund, which reimburses companies that provide relay services and accessible landline phones. 

Companies that offer free caption phones include CaptionCall, ClearCaptions, and Hamilton CapTel.

CaptionCall

This service offers free caption phones for your home phone and doesn’t require a doctor’s note. Here are the necessary steps:

• Filling out a form to confirm hearing loss and the need for a captioned phone 
• Scheduling an installation day
• Getting your caption phone set up by an installer

Note that there will be a wait time between your request approval and installation day scheduling until you get your caption phone installed at home. 

ClearCaptions

Getting a free captioned phone from ClearCaptions involves a similar process, including:

• Filling out a form to confirm hearing loss and the need for a captioned phone 
• Getting qualified (this may take some time) 
• Scheduling an installation day for set up

Note that installation wait time is dependent on the provider's availability.

Captel

Captel does require additional steps, including:

• Filling out a form 
• Getting qualified and certified by a hearing professional, such as an audiologist
• Submitting the form 
• Installation setup

This process is the lengthiest due to the fact that you must visit an audiologist.  

Key Takeaway

Captioning and live transcription services are ideal tools for those with hearing loss to use over the phone. If you’re looking for a stationary free caption phone that you can use at home or in an office setting, the options we’ve provided above are the best captioned telephone solutions in the market, all covered by the FCC. 

Additionally, Nagish is an FCC-certified app that is completely free for qualifying individuals and provides the best captioning and live transcription services in the palm of your hand.

Nagish has helped thousands of people communicate with ease and confidence thanks to an intuitive design and advanced accessibility features based on user and community feedback.  

Ready to place your first call? Try Nagish, it’s free.