Note that this service is a little different than IP (internet protocol) Relay Service, which allows you to use a similar service, but via your smartphone or other device. Federal regulations prohibit the use of captioned telephone services by people who don't have a hearing loss that necessitates it. To get these free services, you generally have to register to use and self-certify that you have hearing loss that impairs your ability to use a standard phone. This is regulated by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Telephone Relay Services. Thanks to the ADA guidelines for hearing loss, it is possible to get free captioning services, and in many cases, the phone itself will be free or discounted (landline only). Are captioned phones and caption apps free? At the same time, the CTS uses advanced voice recognition technology and specially trained communications assistants to transcribe everything that is said into captions, which appear almost simultaneously on the phone display. When the other person answers the phone, the caller hears whatever they say just like with a traditional telephone call. When a call is made, the captioned phone (landline or via the app) automatically connects to a Captioned Telephone Service (CTS). Thanks to government funding, these phones and apps can be obtained for either free or steeply discounted. CaptionCall's mobile app transcribes smartphoneįortunately, captioned phones and captioned smartphone apps can help make it easier to talk on the phone. Many people with untreated hearing loss shy away from using the phone or rely on others, often isolating themselves, which can contribute to loneliness, depression and other negative health effects. Telephones typically do not transmit the full frequency range of speech, which can present a challenge for anyone, but especially people who don't hear well.

For people with hearing loss, talking on a standard phone can be challenging, even with hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Live caption phone call