Easiest Caption Phone to Use

As adults age, they often begin to notice subtle changes to their mobility and physical strength, as well as their sense of sight and hearing. Even small changes in the sense of hearing can impact a senior’s sense of well-being, making it more difficult to communicate with friends and family effectively, particularly over the phone. Closed caption phones make it easier for seniors to keep in touch with those they love by transcribing audio communication onto a phone screen during calls. The ClearCaptions phone is one closed caption phone model available to seniors with some level of hearing impairment.

ClearCaptions Phone is a closed caption phone with a simple, intuitive design and a minimum of bells and whistles. This simplicity in form and function has earned it the distinction of being voted the Easiest Caption Phone to Use in our 2022 study on the Best Caption Phones for Seniors.

Pros:

  • Easy to use and navigate
  • The touchscreen interface works well
  • Hearing aid compatible
  • Available for both internet and landline connections

Cons:

  • Only one caption phone model to choose from
  • App is not compatible with Android devices

Overview of ClearCaptions Phones

ClearCaptions is a company dedicated to making communication easier for those who are hard of hearing. Founded in 2011, ClearCaptions provides web and phone-based captioning services for people of all ages who would otherwise have difficulty communicating over the phone. The company is a certified Federal Communications Commission (FCC) provider.

Features

How It Helps

Portrait Mode Display Screen

The display screen is mounted in portrait mode, so you see more of the interface, making navigation more intuitive.

Built-In Answering Machine

The phone comes with a built-in answering machine that records the calls you missed. These messages are captioned like live calls, so you don’t miss a word.

Built-In Flasher

A valuable feature for seniors with hearing loss is the built-in call flasher that activates when someone’s calling you.

Built-In Help Feature

The built-in help feature includes videos about using certain features and functions of the telephone.

Connects Automatically to the Captioning Service

No need to dial a toll-free number to enable the captioning service.

How Much Do ClearCaptions Phones Cost?

Thanks to Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), seniors with hearing loss are eligible for free captioning service from ClearCaptions. This includes access to any equipment, service and support. The mobile phone app is also free to download for those who need it. To qualify for a ClearCaptions phone, seniors can fill out a form self-certifying that they have hearing loss and can benefit from a captioning service. You can download a certification form from ClearCaptions’ website or call 866-246-7850 for more information. 

Full Review of ClearCaptions’ Features

Seniors who need a dependable captioning phone that is simple to use will find that the ClearCaptions phone offers that and much more. Similar to many other caption phones in function, this phone provides several features that the discerning senior will find attractive.  

Premium Level Features

This caption phone offers many of the same features as a standard landline telephone, including a built-in answering machine, speed-dial options and a speakerphone. However, it also has a few additional features that make it more than just a standard phone. This includes a narrow display screen for easier reading of incoming captions, touchscreen capabilities, and a flashing function to alert seniors of incoming calls. ClearCaptions uses a combination of speech recognition software and live communication associates to transcribe conversations. 

Attractive and Functional 

The ClearCaptions device is an attractive phone with a simple design and appearance. The “Help” button is easy to find on the home screen and a unique portrait touchscreen display allows seniors to follow the text more efficiently and resembles most cell phones’ size and shape, providing seniors with a more intuitive feel.

Free of Charge

ClearCaptions phones, captioning service, installation, and ongoing support are all free for qualified individuals. Instead of charging users, ClearCaptions’ services are funded through a program managed by the FCC.

Who Should Consider a ClearCaptions Phone?

Seniors Who Are Frequently On the Go  

ClearCaptions has a mobile app that is easy to download on iPhones and tablets, allowing seniors to take their captioning service with them as they move through their active day. Both the home phone service and mobile app are free for seniors who can document a true need for captioning service. 

Seniors Who Want Simple And Easy 

The ClearCaptions phone is not embellished with the bells and whistles that many newer landline phones come with, but that only serves to provide more convenience and functionality for seniors who don’t necessarily need anything more than basic phone capabilities. The phone does have a frequent caller function, an answering machine and a built-in help feature. Aside from that, it has an attractive, intuitive design, with functional buttons easy to find and recognize.

What Are People Saying About ClearCaptions?

Seniors who have gotten the ClearCaptions phone often remark that they appreciate the ability to use the captioning service on their cell phones while they’re on the road, as it is easier to understand conversations that often get disrupted due to a poor internet signal. Seniors also like knowing that they will always have free help available if they have a problem with the phone.

Some customers have expressed issues with transcriptions being delayed by a few seconds or more, which can affect the flow of a conversation and make it more difficult to talk for any length of time. Others find it difficult to contact customer service when they need assistance or find that problems take too long to resolve.