I'm skeptical

[Phu Cat]

Have seen an ad on TV for 'Clear Caption' telephones where the other person's words are displayed so you can read them even if you couldn't understand them. No charge for the phone, installation or training to use it. Sounds too good to be true to me. Why would a company produce a phone, then pay someone to deliver it and teach you how to use it, at no cost??? What's the catch?

PC

[Sully]

Have seen an ad on TV for 'Clear Caption' telephones where the other person's words are displayed so you can read them even if you couldn't understand them. No charge for the phone, installation or training to use it. Sounds too good to be true to me. Why would a company produce a phone, then pay someone to deliver it and teach you how to use it, at no cost??? What's the catch?

PC

Just Remember, Nothing Is Ever Free.............

[B Dawg]

O

Have seen an ad on TV for 'Clear Caption' telephones where the other person's words are displayed so you can read them even if you couldn't understand them. No charge for the phone, installation or training to use it. Sounds too good to be true to me. Why would a company produce a phone, then pay someone to deliver it and teach you how to use it, at no cost??? What's the catch?

PC

From their website.....https://clearcaptions.com/faq/ looks like the person transcribing the call is paid from a federally funded program

[Phu Cat]

I have since found a site that admits to the transcribing not always being the most accurate and slow. So much for what sounded like a possibly good idea.

PC

[hogcowboy]

O

From their website.....https://clearcaptions.com/faq/ looks like the person transcribing the call is paid from a federally funded program

That's it exactly. It's paid for on your phone bill by EVERYONE. I forget which hidden fee it is as there are several that I have on my bill. But with my profound hearing loss and Medicare, I have one and it's the only phone I can use other than texting on my cellphone. But if anyone tries to call me after I text them, they may as well call India or something because I won't be able to understand a thing they say. So my house phone is the only phone I have where I can respond to the caller thanks to this program. Now they don't get it perfect, especially if the other person talks too fast or softly. But it's darn sure better than I might try to interpret. It's a disability I wish I didn't have and would trade anyone their hearing for mine if they think it's a rip-off. You very well might need it in the future anyway.

[Phu Cat]

I can sure sympathise with your situation Hogcowboy. I almost always have to ask my wife to repeat what she says. She gets frustrated too sometimes. At least Uncle Sam compensates me each month, but I'd gladly give that back and pay more out of my own pocket to have my normal hearing back.

Being blind might be the only thing that's worse than not being able to hear. At least we still have our sight. Merry Christmas

PC

[cScjhb]

There is a lady that lives in my community who supplements her retirement income by transcribing phone calls. She works at home on her computer and keeps regularly scheduled hours. I now have a better appreciation for the job she does. It's good to know that one of those mysterious extra charges on our phone bills actually does provide a needed service..... Jim

[FuzzyWuzHe]

Not to mention, I'm sure there is a tax break for providing this service.

[paws]

I can sure sympathise with your situation Hogcowboy. I almost always have to ask my wife to repeat what she says. She gets frustrated too sometimes. At least Uncle Sam compensates me each month, but I'd gladly give that back and pay more out of my own pocket to have my normal hearing back.

Being blind might be the only thing that's worse than not being able to hear. At least we still have our sight. Merry Christmas

PC

Much as I hate them, I am glad to have my hearing aids...so are people around me...makes us all happier campers.

[hogcowboy]

Much as I hate them, I am glad to have my hearing aids...so are people around me...makes us all happier campers.

I wish my hearing aids worked as well as yours. I have zero hearing in one ear so I have one the most expensive aids made that transmits what that ear should be hearing to the one good or almost good ear, 75% good anyway. But if there is ANY other sounds, things get so scrambled that I can't make out ANYTHING. And just where are you when there is zero other sounds? It's very frustrating. Then for grins someone decided I needed tinnitus as well. Yep, I like my transcribed phone. I certainly appreciate ALL the transcribers. And I bet they are glad I don't get calls from porn sites. Or maybe that would be a welcome change from the medicare phone calls and vote for me calls.

[bikerbillone]

If the government is involved, avoid it if you can. That's the clue.

[hogcowboy]

If the government is involved, avoid it if you can. That's the clue.

Yep. Wish they didn't control Social Security and Medicare. They control way too much in our lives already. Now they seem to control the media but that was a friendly take over it appears.

[Phu Cat]

But if there is ANY other sounds, things get so scrambled that I can't make out ANYTHING.

I frequently remind my wife of this: If there's the SLIGHTEST background noise I can't understand what anyone is saying. I guess she thinks I'm kidding.

PC

[hogcowboy]

But if there is ANY other sounds, things get so scrambled that I can't make out ANYTHING.

I frequently remind my wife of this: If there's the SLIGHTEST background noise I can't understand what anyone is saying. I guess she thinks I'm kidding.

PC

Well now you can tell her you know of another person that can confirm it. It really ticks me off having to say WHAT all the time. I can't watch any news show that has multiple newscasters because they almost always try to talk over each other. I can't understand any of them when they do that. But restaurants with clanging plates and utensils, I can't understand any conversation then. So I just turn my hearing aids off and get some quiet time, sorta. Some sound does get in but very muffled.