While every individual’s hearing journey is unique, the most common concern people with hearing loss share is the fear of losing touch with the important people in their lives. When you are not able to hear well – especially over the phone – even simple conversations with family and friends can be daunting and frustrating. Not to mention trying to conduct business or talk with your healthcare provider over the telephone.
That’s where Captioned Telephones come in – or “CapTel” for short. Designed for people with hearing loss, CapTel looks and acts like any other telephone, plus it shows word-for-word captions of everything your caller says. It is similar to closed captions on TV, only for your phone calls. With CapTel, you hear what you can and read what you need to, giving you confidence to enjoy talking on the phone again knowing you’ll catch every word.
“The CapTel phone has made it possible for me to be in touch with family and friends again,” explains one CapTel user from Ohio. “CapTel gives me the opportunity to talk with friends and make necessary calls again,” agrees a Wisconsin user. “Thank you for giving me a part of my life back.”
There are several CapTel models to choose from, including traditional land line telephones, a contemporary touch-screen display model, and one with an extra-large display screen for people with low vision. Models available either for use over the Internet or with traditional analog telephone service.
CapTel service is provided at no cost to people who have difficulty hearing over the phone, made possible by a federally-funded program that ensures people who are deaf or hard of hearing have equal access to the nation’s telephone network. Phones are available at no cost with a signed certification from your audiologist or doctor. Or, you can purchase a phone directly online at www.weitbrect.com.
CapTel is the latest innovation from Ultratec, Inc., drawing from the company’s 40 plus years of experience as the world’s leading developer of text telephones for people who are deaf.