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    Relay Services & TTY

    Make every phone call accessible. Mostly free.

    Federal funding

    All these services are funded by FCC for hearing-impaired Americans. The phones are free if you qualify. The service is free. Includes training and installation help.

    CapTel

    Captioned phone — call anyone; their words appear on the screen as captions.

    Best home option. Free + free phone if you qualify (hearing-impaired adults).

    ClearCaptions

    Same idea. Free phone for hearing-impaired.

    Alternative to CapTel.

    CaptionCall

    Free captioned phone with installation help.

    Free for hearing-impaired adults.

    IP Relay (free)

    Type your message; relay operator speaks it to the other person, then types back what they say. Available via apps.

    For total deafness or severe hearing loss.

    Video Relay Service (VRS)

    For ASL users. Sign to interpreter who relays voice to other person.

    For Deaf community.

    Live Captions on iPhone (iOS 16+)

    Real-time captions on ANY call, even FaceTime. Free, built in.

    Best modern option for iPhone users.

    Live Caption on Pixel + Samsung

    Same idea on Android.

    Best for Android.

    How to qualify (most providers)

    • Hearing loss that affects phone use.
    • One-page certification from any audiologist or doctor.
    • Mail / scan certification.
    • Provider sends free phone in 1-3 weeks.
    • Free installation help available.

    For dual sensory loss (vision + hearing)

    • Sprint Accessibility Network — phone with high-contrast keypad + captions.
    • iCanConnect — federal program for low-income with combined vision/hearing loss. Free equipment and training.
    • Apply at icanconnect.org.

    Quick win for any iPhone user with hearing loss

    1. Settings → Accessibility → Live Captions → ON.
    2. For phone calls: settings → Phone → Live Captions during call → ON.
    3. Now ANY call shows real-time text on screen.
    4. FaceTime, regular calls, voicemails — all captioned.

    Hearing aids + phone

    "MFi hearing aids" (Made for iPhone) pair to iPhone for direct streaming. Phone calls go straight to hearing aids — clearer than holding phone to ear. Most modern hearing aids support this.