Call Captioning

There are many communication options out there these days such as text or online chat, but often people still have to make phone calls for some things. For many Deaf/hard-of-hearing people, using TTY relay or asking friends and family to help with phone calls still seem like the only options if they can’t use VRS.

But what if, for example, you can speak pretty well and just can’t hear a phone conversation? In recent years a new service has grown in popularity: call captioning.

CaptionCall by Sorenson is an example of a call captioning service. Just like VRS, there’s no cost to eligible users, and it’s available for home, work, and mobile.

As one call caption user, Meryl, says, “I rarely like to make phone calls. However, when I do, I just pick up the receiver (and) call — just like anyone else. The captions are already there ready to go.”

Meryl also said of the impact of call captioning on her communication, “We have so many communication options now. Still, it’s good to have the option because sometimes I can’t avoid a call as many companies still don’t provide other communication options besides phone calls.” She adds, “It’s great that Deaf folks have a variety of options. Like all disabilities, deafness is a spectrum. We all have our preferences when it comes to communicating. Options are always a great thing.”

Do you have a Deaf or hard-of-hearing friend of loved one who needs captions to communicate over the phone?