CaptionCall 78T Caption Phone Review

Best for Advanced Captioning Service

The modern world can be an exciting and often overwhelming place for adults with hearing impairments. As they age, seniors may find it more difficult to discern voices during in-person conversations; phone calls can become almost impossible without the ability to use body language and facial expressions to fill in the missing words. Captioned telephones such as the CaptionCall 78T can help seniors participate fully in telephone conversations again.

The CaptionCall 78T caption phone combines the functionality of a traditional landline telephone with a comprehensive captioning service to provide seniors with real time transcription of their phone conversations. The advanced touch screen capabilities and features has earned the CaptionCall 78T the distinction of being voted in as the best captioning phone for Advanced Captioning Service.

Overview of CaptionCall

CaptionCall is a private telephone service company with more than a decade of telecommunications experience. Although it is headquartered in Salt Lake City, the company has offices in Illinois and Colorado, as well as support centers scattered throughout the country. Its parent company, Sorenson Communications, was recognized by Fast Company in its annual list of the World’s Most Innovative Companies for 2022. Sorenson has almost two decades of experience providing accessible communication options for the deaf community.

How Much Does CaptionCall 78T Cost?

Seniors with moderate-to-severe hearing loss can get a CaptionCall 78T free of charge. This is thanks to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA) with funding provided by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC). To receive a free CaptionCall 78T, seniors can complete and submit an online form using the Request Service button on their How it Works page under the Products tab. The form includes a referral box to record a physician’s referral number, although seniors may also complete a self-certification form when the phone is installed in the home.

Seniors may find a selection of CaptionCall 78T phones on secondhand selling sites such as eBay, but these phones are not free and do not come equipped with telephone captioning service. To ensure that they receive a functioning phone that includes the captioning service they need, seniors should only order a 78T through the CaptionCall website or the CaptionCall Amazon Seller’s page. 

Full Review of CaptionCall 78T’s Features

The CaptionCall 78T is the company’s only phone model, but it offers seniors a comprehensive set of features that help make telephone conversations easier and more rewarding. This phone also offers advanced features that other captioning phones don’t have.

See the table below to learn the basic specifications of the CaptionCall captioning phone.

Free Red Carpet Captioning Service 

The CaptionCall 78T is free for seniors who have a need for captioning service due to hearing loss. Along with free captioning service and a free phone, the company also offers free delivery and installation services, as well as personalized, hands-on training in how to use the phone. Once the phone is installed and ready for use, seniors have access to free customer support in the event they have difficulty in the future. Customer service representatives can be contacted by phone or email.

Advanced Amplification Standards

CaptionCall is one of the few captioning telephones that has a TIA-4953 Certification, which is a standard that the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has set to signify that a phone meets the needs of those with mild, moderate or severe hearing impairment. Seniors who use this phone can be certain that the amplification provided through the 78T will improve the quality of their conversations more than other captioning telephones.

Convenient Compatibility Features

The CaptionCall 78T is designed to be used by seniors with different levels and types of hearing loss. Seniors can customize their phone to amplify high or low frequencies using the settings button on their device. The phone also meets the TIA-1083 standard as set up by the TIA, offering hearing aid users a reduced risk of interference, buzzing or static during phone calls.

Advanced Accessibility Features

This phone comes with standard and advanced call features to help make calling and receiving calls more convenient. It has a simple design and layout that includes a speakerphone option, a volume control knob and a voice messages button that allows users to read the captions of missed calls. Seniors can also save their captioned conversations for later review. The touch screen display features a streaming caption that flows down the screen instead of appearing as choppy text, allowing seniors to follow a conversation more smoothly.

Excellent Customer Relations Features

The CaptionCall 78T is the latest model of captioning phone offered by CaptionCall, and its features reveal a distinct determination to nurture customer relations. Aside from having the standard phone features such as voicemail, in-phone contact storage and numerous customization options, the phone also has a robust collection of Spanish/English customer support services, from email and phone support options to an online support page with user guides, FAQs and training videos.

CaptionCall 78T Overview Table

Who Should Consider CaptionCall 78T?

Tech-Savvy Seniors With Accessibility Needs

The CaptionCall 78T is a phone with a number of advanced features. Its touch-screen display works just like a cellphone, allowing seniors to pull up recent calls and contacts, scroll through saved captions and customize font size and other display features with the touch of a finger. The phone also has advanced accessibility options, including a flash feature to alert seniors of incoming calls.

On-the-go Seniors With Specific Captioning Requirements

CaptionCall has a number of design features to cater to seniors with varying levels and types of hearing loss. The phone’s settings can be changed to boost higher or lower frequencies depending on the needs of individual users. CaptionCall also has a popular mobile app for seniors with Android and Apple iOS devices that allows seniors to use the captioning service without changing their mobile number.

What Are People Saying About CaptionCall 78T?

Seniors who decide to use the captioning services provided with the CaptionCall 78T phone typically have positive experiences to share. Many seniors find the phone to have a sleek, attractive appearance and an intuitive design that makes it easy to use.

Most find the captioning service itself to be more than adequate, although there are occasional delays or glitches in the captions that can slow down communication. Some translators seem to be better than others, as seniors note that sometimes the captioned conversation utilizes the wrong wording or misses the meaning of localized phrases. The majority of users are more than willing to overlook the occasional miscommunications because of the advanced features available with the 78T, including customizable amplification and a convenient and accessible mobile app.