Accessible telephone technology for the hearing impaired

September 24, 2025 | 6 min read

For millions of people with hearing loss, using a phone isn’t just inconvenient; it can be frustrating, isolating or even downright impossible. The lack of visual cues and the tendency to compress or distort audio can make it challenging to understand speech, even under ideal circumstances.

Luckily, communication technology has come a long way. Thanks to innovations in hearing aid compatibility, captioned phones and accessibility-focused apps, staying connected with loved ones or colleagues has never been easier. Whether you’re looking for mobile solutions or landline options, there are plenty of powerful tools and accessibility alternatives to bridge the communication gap for people with hearing difficulties.

Mobile phones that work with assistive devices

Most modern mobile phones are built with hearing aid compatibility (HAC) in mind. Under FCC guidelines, manufacturers must ensure that a significant portion of their devices are usable with hearing aids or cochlear implants and work toward making 100 percent of their phones fully compatible within the next few years. These phones are designed to reduce interference and enable clear sound transmission, and they’re often labeled with “HAC” on the packaging.

Whether you’re using an Android or an iPhone, built-in settings can help you control audio levels, reduce background noise and enable direct streaming to your hearing aids via Bluetooth. Combined with the right apps and accessories, these phones can become powerful communication tools for the hearing impaired.

Smartphone accessories and apps

Smartphone add-ons offer a growing array of features that make conversations more accessible for those with hearing loss. Accessories such as amplified earbuds, vibration-enabled phone docks and lighted call alerts can dramatically improve call awareness and clarity.

In addition to hardware, many apps can help transcribe phone conversations or environmental sounds in real time. Some of the most common capabilities include:

Live transcription of in-person or phone conversations
Captioning for videos and audio media
Sound detection alerts for doorbells, smoke alarms, or crying babies
Direct audio streaming to hearing aids via Bluetooth or proprietary platforms

Both Android and iOS also offer native hearing accessibility tools, such as Apple’s Live Listen or Android’s Sound Notifications, which provide real-time awareness of sounds that might otherwise go unnoticed.

Accessible landline and internet phones

Despite the dominance of mobile technology, landlines and internet phones remain essential for many people, especially at home or in office settings. Landline telephones designed for people with hearing loss typically include amplified audio, extra-loud ringers, and visual alerts such as flashing lights for incoming calls.

Many states offer specialized landline phones at little to no cost through telecommunications equipment distribution programs (TEDPs). These programs often cover amplified phones as well as captioned models.

Voice-over-IP (VoIP) phones, which use internet connections instead of traditional phone lines, are also increasingly HAC-compliant. They’re also easy to integrate with smart devices throughout the home to improve accessibility and safety, capabilities traditional landline phones can’t provide.

How phone captioning works

Captioned phones and captioning apps offer real-time transcription of conversations, making it easier to follow and participate in calls. When you place a call using a captioned phone or compatible app, your voice goes through like any standard call. But at the same time, the other party’s speech is transmitted to a captioned telephone service (CTS), where advanced speech recognition and trained captioning agents convert the words into text. This transcription appears on your phone’s screen almost instantly, allowing you to read along as the person speaks. The result is a smoother, more reliable communication experience, especially helpful in professional settings, at medical appointments or for emotionally important conversations.

Are captioned phones and caption apps free?

Thanks to programs regulated by the FCC, captioned phones are often free or heavily subsidized. The cost of the captioning service itself is also typically covered by federal relay service funds, as long as the user meets basic eligibility requirements. These services are intended for individuals with medically recognized hearing loss that impairs telephone use. To prevent misuse, users must self-certify their hearing loss or, in some cases, obtain a certification form from a licensed hearing care provider.

Mobile captioning apps are also often free to download and use. This can be an essential option for those who rely on mobile phones for communication.

How to get a captioned phone or service

Getting started with captioned telephone services is usually straightforward:

Contact a hearing care provider: Many can recommend devices and assist with necessary forms.
Apply through a provider or state program: Depending on your location, state-run programs may offer these devices directly.
Register with a captioned phone provider: Services like CapTel, CaptionCall, or ClearCaptions allow users to sign up directly for home installation and training.
Download an app: If you prefer mobile use, install an app like CaptionCall Mobile or ClearCaptions Mobile from your device’s app store.

Some of these services also include complimentary delivery, setup assistance and user training to help you get the most from your device.

Types of captioned phones and apps

Captioned phone technology comes in several forms to meet the varying needs of users with hearing loss. While the core functionality remains consistent, the delivery methods and features can differ depending on the device and platform.

Landline captioned phones

These traditional desktop phones are equipped with screens that display text transcriptions during calls. Most models also include features like adjustable font sizes, high-contrast displays and amplified audio. Many also support telecoil connections for hearing aid users. These phones are commonly used at home or in office settings and are available through state programs at low or no cost for eligible individuals.

Internet-based (VoIP) captioned phones

VoIP captioned phones operate over an internet connection instead of a standard phone line. They often offer more flexible software updates, better integration with wireless accessories and cloud-based features like saved transcripts. Some models also include touchscreens and Bluetooth support. If you choose a VoIP service, like Ooma home phone service, you can also access your home phone capabilities from your smartphone, laptop and desktop by using the Ooma Telo app.

Mobile captioning apps

Captioning apps for smartphones and tablets offer the convenience of on-the-go access to real-time call transcription. These apps work by routing calls through services that provide on-screen, near-instant captions. Some apps also offer additional features like call recording, visual alerts for incoming calls and the ability to save or review past conversations.

In-person and environmental captioning apps

In addition to phone calls, some apps are designed to transcribe in-person conversations or detect and display environmental sounds (like home security alarms or doorbells). These tools are especially helpful in group settings or for users who want broader accessibility support beyond just phone communication.

Each of these options serves a unique purpose, and many users benefit from combining devices or apps depending on their lifestyle, work environment or degree of hearing loss. A licensed hearing care provider can help determine the most suitable setup based on individual needs.

Additional resources for the hearing impaired

About the Author

Husain Sumra

Husain Sumra is a former journalist who reported on the biggest companies in tech, from Apple to Amazon, covering cloud services, consumer technology and communication solutions. His journalism background has helped him bring a customer-first approach to content marketing, creating pieces of content aimed at helping people.