Best for Seniors with High-Speed Internet Connection

The CapTel 840i is the best caption phone for seniors with a high-speed internet connection because it uses its online connection to create captions on each call in real-time. The 840i comes with a high-resolution screen with adjustable font sizes for each user’s unique needs and tastes. It includes a phone book, speed dialing, volume adjustments and a one-touch helpline that’s available at all times. The CapTel 840i has an easy user interface and can be returned within 90 days. 

Pros:

  • Captioning happens in real-time
  • Incoming callers dial your phone number directly
  • WiFi compatible
  • Captions can be turned on/off as needed
  • Installation assistance available

Cons:

  • No touchscreen display
  • Reported captioning delays with a spotty internet connection

Overview of CapTel

CapTel is a U.S. manufacturer of captioned telephones that’s under the umbrella of Ultratec, Inc., a worldwide leader in text communications. The company was founded in 1978 with the goal of improving communications for people with hearing loss. CapTel’s products are available with both touchscreens and dialing pads, as well as a variety of high-tech features. 

Features

How It Helps

Connects Automatically to the Captioning Service

Since the calls pass through the internet, it removes the tedium of dialing a toll-free number to initiate the calls.

WiFi Compatible

The phone is WiFi-enabled for wireless operation. 

Answering Machine and Voicemail

The built-in answering machine and voicemail ensures that no messages and voicemails will be missed. Plus, the voicemail feature also supports captioning.

Built-In Phonebook and Caller ID

Stores up to 95+ contact names and you’ll know who’s calling.

Speed Dial

Quick access to frequently used numbers including family members and healthcare professionals.

How Much Does the CapTel 840i Cost?

The price for the CapTel 840i direct from the manufacturer’s website is $75. You may be able to get the phone for free by obtaining a Third Party Certification of Eligibility. This certificate verifies that the phone’s recipient has hearing loss and allows the state government to subsidize the costs. The captioning service also has an ongoing cost but is paid for by government disability programs. The 840i can be purchased from online and brick-and-mortar retailers. 

Full Review of the CapTel 840i Features

The CapTel 840i is a caption telephone with a large screen that takes advantage of high-speed internet connections to create an intuitive visual experience. Unlike other caption phones, the 840i uses its internet connection to automatically add captions to incoming and outgoing calls with no need to set up a third-party captioning service. It’s as easy as picking up and dialing or answering. If you don’t want or need captioning at any time, you can simply turn the feature on or off at your convenience. 

Technical Specifications

Several technologies operating under the hood of the CapTel 840i enhance the user experience. These include:

  • AES encryption, which secures your calls and keeps your personal information private
  • High-resolution 7-inch screen to display captions at a large size
  • Adjustable volume control with up to 40-decibel gain
  • Caller ID to show who is calling

How It Works

In many ways, the CapTel 840i works like any other telephone. Each party can communicate with the other by voice in real-time, and the non-caption user doesn’t need a special device. When the non-caption user speaks, their voice goes through a captioning service that translates the audio into text. This text is then sent — over the internet connection — to the CapTel 840i’s screen, where it can be read by the user. 

User-Friendly Features

A variety of the CapTel 840i’s features make it very easy to use. Like most modern phones, the 840i has an extensive phone book that stores up to 95 contacts so users don’t need to remember any phone numbers. You can put your most used contacts on your speed dial keys, which provide one-touch calls for your convenience. The built-in answering machine allows callers to leave a voice message when the owner is unavailable without the need for a separate device. These voice messages can also be viewed with captions. 

All of the user-friendly attributes of the 840i are available through an intuitive menu system. Users who are having trouble with any of the features can press the one-touch CapTel Customer Service button to get help. This option is available 24/7. You can also change the font sizes and colors at any time to make the device even easier to use. Spanish captioning is available upon request.

Purchase Protection

If the CapTel 840i isn’t the right fit for the buyer, they can return the phone at no additional cost in the first 90 days after purchase. The phone also comes with a 5-year warranty that will replace the phone if it stops working or becomes damaged. 

Usage Requirements

In order to benefit from the CapTel 840i’s advanced features, the user must meet a few requirements. In addition to having a standard telephone line, they need a high-speed internet connection, such as cable, fiber or other broadband option. A router may also be required for households that need multiple internet connections. This phone only works in the United States.

Who Should Consider the CapTel 840i? 

Grandparents Who Want to Stay Connected

Grandchildren have a natural affinity for communications technology, and grandparents can keep up with them by using the CapTel 840i to understand every word. Children’s voices can be difficult to hear at times, so the 840i’s captioning makes conversations much easier. 

Seniors with Advanced Hearing Loss

The CapTel 840i empowers seniors with even the most advanced hearing loss with the ability to have conversations over the phone, whether it’s for social calls or business matters. Since the 840i is available free for those with hearing disabilities, seniors can drastically improve their communications with no or little out-of-pocket cost.

What Are People Saying About the CapTel 840i?

Reviews for the 840i are overwhelmingly positive, with most customers saying the phone makes conversations much easier, even for those with severe hearing loss. They say that the phone is easy to use over time and that the screen provides clear text with only a very slight delay. Users who didn’t have hearing loss said the sound quality was also very good. 

While most reviews for the CapTel 840i were positive, a few reviews complained that the device was difficult to use. Others said that the phone was undependable at times, meaning the captions would not always come up during calls.