For the deaf and hard-of-hearing (HOH) community, texting is the lifeblood of a cellphone’s usefulness. Several companies offer phones and phone plans specifically tailored to deaf and HOH individuals. There are data-only plans and even phones for those who wear hearing aids.
Cellphones and Plans for the Deaf and HOH
Smartphones that support SMS texting meet the basic needs of the deaf and HOH. Before text messaging, such individuals relied on assistive technology like teletypewriters and relay services to communicate over the phone. In today’s connected world, the deaf and HOH also need data plans to use apps like Google Maps and Uber, making a smartphone a near necessity for survival.
Information in this article applies broadly to various phone services and brands. Consult individual company websites for further details on specific plans and devices.
Phone plans typically bundle talk, text, and internet services. For example, a cellphone plan might cost $50 with a certain amount of minutes and $10 extra for unlimited texts. Deaf and HOH customers, however, may not need any voice minutes, so there are alternative plans just for them.
The Best Cellphone Plans and Carriers for Texting
T-Mobile, Verizon, Sprint, and other major carriers offer packages with data only (no voice) for the deaf or HOH. Most plans catering to such persons cost less than a regular mobile phone plan.
AT&T has plans and devices for deaf and HOH customers including phones for use with hearing aids. There are also bundled devices and plans such as the ClearCaptions phone, a service provided by the federal government for people with disabilities.
The Best Cellphones for the Deaf and HOH
Phones with a full keypad make frequent texting more convenient for the deaf and HOH. Examples of advanced phones that facilitate the fast and heavy use of texting and e-mailing include:
- The LG Extravert 2The BlackBerry KeyOneThe BlackBerry Key2 LEThe BlackBerry PrivThe F(x)tec Pro1The Samsung Galaxy Folder 2
Other phones, for example, the Samsung Galaxy S8, support keyboard covers to simplify texting. There are also amplified smartphones like the Amplicomms PowerTel M9500 that is ideal for individuals with some hearing and those who wear hearing aids.
Best Cellphones for Use With Hearing Aids
Some deaf and HOH individuals who wear hearing aids may experience interference with cellphones. One way to mitigate this problem is to use a telecoil receiver. A few examples of phones that support telecoils for hearing aids include:
- All iPhonesThe HTC FirstThe Pantech Breeze IIIThe Samsung Galaxy S4 Active
Other hands-free accessories along with induction neck loops can also help lessen electronic interference. Go America combats this problem by offering hearing-aid compatible (HAC) phones such as the Jitterbug. Other companies offer accessories to assist the deaf and HOH community including Harris Communications and United TTY Wireless.
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