Best for Users With Vision Impairment

Growing older introduces a number of challenges in a senior’s life, from mobility and health issues to vision and memory changes. Aging can also be responsible for hearing loss, which can make it difficult for the elderly to communicate effectively with those around them. Hearing aids may be a viable solution for seniors who can afford the cost, but alternatives are available that are more affordable and just as effective, including personal hearing enhancers and captioned telephones such as the CapTel 880i.

The CapTel 880i is one of many models of captioned phones that help hearing-impaired seniors. The specially designed telephone is connected through Wi-Fi to a captioning service; an affixed display screen turns spoken words into visual text. CapTel 880i is a unique captioned phone that has a larger caption window than the standard telephone to provide a visual boost for seniors who have difficulty seeing smaller text. As a result of this feature, the CapTel 880i has been designated in our study as the best for users with vision impairment.

Pros:

  • Large 7″ x 10″ screen for users with low vision
  • WiFi and Bluetooth compatible
  • Numerous options to customize the screen
  • Ability to amplify volume and adjust the tone
  • No need to dial a toll-free number to use the captioning service

Cons:

  • No touchscreen support
  • Slight delays when using WiFi connection

Overview of CapTel 

CapTel, which is short for Captioned Telephone, is a telecommunications company based in Wisconsin that provides captioning support for hearing-impaired seniors across the country. The company works with some states to give seniors a CapTel phone for little or no cost. 

Features

How It Helps

Extremely Large Display Screen

The 7″ x 10″ screen is the star of this device, and it looks bright, crisp, and a lot easier to read.

Extra Large Font Sizes

Users can use extra large font sizes and text colors for better contrast. All adjustable based on preference.

Low-Vision Friendly Hardware

The extra-large console buttons and backlit dial pads add more accessibility for people with low vision.

Powerful Volume Amplification

Provides a robust volume amplification of up to 40dB gain by configuring the volume bar under the number pads. Default settings can also be saved to ensure optimal volume levels for all incoming and outgoing calls.

Tone Control

The 880i includes a tone control feature to help people with hearing loss to hear sounds in certain frequency ranges.

How Much Does CapTel 880i Cost?

Seniors experiencing hearing loss might qualify for a free or reduced-cost CapTel phone through special state programs. The base cost for these phones is $75 if purchased through specialty company Weitbrecht Communications, Inc. Seniors who can prove through third-party documentation that they are hearing-impaired can receive a free internet-based CapTel phone such as the CapTel 880i. Many states also allow seniors to apply for a free CapTel phone through a government-funded program, although seniors should double-check that their state has such a program before delving too deeply.

Full Review of CapTel 880i’s Features

The CapTel 880i is one of three internet-based CapTel phones available on the market. It’s identical to the 840i model except that it comes with a larger display screen. The 880i includes a number of features that seniors might find beneficial.

Large Font and Display Options

The CapTel 880i offers a 7″x10″ screen and adjustable fonts to allow seniors to enlarge the text for easier reading. This is particularly helpful for seniors with low vision who might have difficulty making out smaller captions. The model also includes other convenient features that cater to those with limited vision, including extra-large console buttons and a back-lit dial pad.

Direct Call Capabilities

While some caption phones require seniors to call their friends and families through a captioning service, the CapTel 880i allows seniors to dial their loved ones without the added hassle. Instead, the captioning service is connected through the senior’s internet connection that funnels text from the captioning company directly to the 880i screen. There may be occasional delays in the delivery of texts due to poor Wi-Fi connectivity, but this may be remedied by using an ethernet cord for direct internet connection. 

Quick Customer Service Options 

One advantage of the CapTel 880i is that help is literally the push of a button away. A speed dial button to CapTel’s customer service department is preprogrammed into the phone, allowing seniors easy access to the help they need if they’re having difficulty with their phone, internet connection or other features. The company also maintains an extensive library of information on its support page, including manuals, how-to guides and an online chat option.

Versatile Design Features

The CapTel 880i comes with a number of features that make it more versatile and convenient for seniors. The extra-large display screen can be tilted to make it easier to read from above, or seniors can leave the screen flat and mount it on the wall. The volume is easy to adjust with a button and can raise the sound by up to 40 decibels. This model has the features most associated with premium phone service, including speed dial keys, a phone book that can hold up to 95 contacts and the option to add caller ID. 

Low- And No-Cost Options

Seniors who require the additional assistance that closed captioning offers may be able to qualify to receive a CapTel 880i caption phone for little or no cost. Various states have programs available through the government to provide caption phones to seniors with some level of hearing loss. To receive a free phone, seniors must have authorization from a physician or audiologist indicating they need a captioning service. Seniors with minor hearing loss can purchase a CapTel 880i phone for $75 through the WCI website.

Who Should Consider CapTel 880i?

Lower Income Seniors With Some Form of Hearing and Vision Loss 

Seniors who have some level of hearing loss and vision impairment but cannot afford the high cost of hearing aids may find the CapTel 880i an ideal option to increase their ability to talk with friends and families who live in other cities or states across the country. The large display screen, adjustable volume control and large-font captioning make it easy to use this phone on a daily basis. 

American Seniors Who Want Additional Features

The CapTel 880i has a number of additional features besides captioning service, including a phone book and optional Caller ID services that can make it easy to decide quickly whether to answer a phone call or let it go to the answering service. The phone also offers speed dial options for seniors who talk to the same people regularly and don’t want to worry about remembering phone numbers.

What Are People Saying About CapTel 880i?

Seniors and their family members who have used the CapTel 880i often comment on how much more convenient the phone makes it to communicate. They love the large screen display and the added features that make this phone more vision-friendly, including the large buttons and the extra-large display screen. Some customers have some initial difficulty connecting to loved ones because of a poor internet signal or incompatible routers that aren’t designed to be used with this model. However, easy access to the instructional manual and online customer service can fix these minor problems quickly.