Hearing and vision

Hearing a call, reading the mail, waking up on time. Tools here range from free phone apps to desktop magnifiers.

What to look for

Captions, louder sound, or vibration and light.
Free apps versus devices you buy.
What it needs: a smartphone, high-speed internet, or home phone service.
Whether a low vision clinic can let the person try it first.

Questions to ask first

Does the person qualify for captioned phone service at no cost?
Will they use it at home, out and about, or both?
Is a hands-on trial possible before a big purchase?

Good to know

Some captioned phone services are free to people who qualify, through the federal relay services program. Some hearing features have a maker-stated age range and need a specific phone.

Listings for this need

18 listings

Listings are guides. Fit depends on each person's needs.

App
Aira Explorer
by Aira Tech Corp
What it helps with
An app that connects a blind or low-vision person with a trained visual interpreter by live video, whenever they choose to call.
Price
Free app; plans from $26/mo (20 minutes)
Monthly cost
Optional plans from about $26 a month
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Hearing or vision aid
Apple AirPods Pro 3
by Apple
What it helps with
Earbuds with a built-in Hearing Aid feature.
Price
$249.00
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Medium
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
App
Be My Eyes
by Be My Eyes
What it helps with
An app that connects blind and low-vision users with sighted volunteers by live video.
Price
Free
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Sensor or alarm
Bellman Doorbell System with Flash Receiver and Bed Shaker
by Bellman & Symfon
What it helps with
A wireless doorbell alert that flashes a bright light, and can shake the bed, when someone rings, for people who are Deaf or hard of hearing.
Price
$443.85
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Medium
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Sensor or alarm
Bellman Smoke/Fire Alarm System with Alarm Clock and Bed Shaker
by Bellman & Symfon
What it helps with
A wireless smoke alarm that wakes a Deaf or hard of hearing person with a bed shaker and a flashing alarm clock.
Price
$499.90
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Medium
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Service or membership
Bookshare
by Benetech
What it helps with
An online library of accessible ebooks you can listen to, read in large print, or use with braille.
Price
Free for qualifying US students; $79.99/yr for adults
Monthly cost
Adults about $7 a month ($79.99 a year); free for qualifying students
Who it might fit
Families and Providers
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Phone, tablet or phone add-on
CapTel 2400i Captioned Phone
by CapTel (Ultratec)
What it helps with
A touchscreen home phone that shows written captions of everything the caller says.
Price
No cost for people with hearing loss who qualify; $75 to buy directly
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Medium
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
App
InnoCaption
by Mezmo Corporation
What it helps with
A free phone app that captions your calls in real time.
Price
Free for eligible users
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Phone, tablet or phone add-on
Jitterbug Flip3
by Lively
What it helps with
A flip phone with big buttons, a loud speaker, and simple menus.
Price
$79.99 plus Lively plan
Monthly cost
Plus about $15 to $35 a month
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
App
Lazarillo
by Lazarillo
What it helps with
A free GPS app that announces streets, stops, and places out loud as you walk.
Price
Free
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Hearing or vision aid
Merlin Basic Desktop Video Magnifier
by Enhanced Vision (Vispero)
What it helps with
A desktop camera and large screen that enlarge books, mail, and photos.
Price
$2,546.60
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Medium
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Reading aid
OrCam Read 3
by OrCam
What it helps with
A handheld reader that reads printed and on-screen text out loud as soon as you point it.
Price
$2,790.00
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Hearing or vision aid
RUBY HD Handheld Video Magnifier
by Freedom Scientific (Vispero)
What it helps with
A pocket-size screen that enlarges print and lets you change colors for easier reading.
Price
$595.00
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
App
Seeing AI
by Microsoft
What it helps with
A free app that reads text, labels, and describes scenes out loud.
Price
Free
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Clock or timer
Sonic Bomb Alarm Clock with Super Shaker (SBB500SS)
by Sonic Alert
What it helps with
A loud alarm clock with flashing lights and a bed shaker that vibrates you awake.
Price
$72.99
Monthly cost
None required
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
App
Voice Dream (Read Aloud)
by Voice Dream LLC
What it helps with
An app that reads PDFs, books, web pages, and documents out loud while highlighting the words.
Price
Free download; subscription required ($4.99/mo or $39.99 to $79.99/yr)
Monthly cost
Plus about $5 a month (or about $40 to $80 a year)
Who it might fit
Families and Providers
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Phone, tablet or phone add-on
VTech SN5147 Amplified Corded/Cordless Phone
by VTech
What it helps with
A home phone that makes voices louder and clearer, with big buttons and an extra-loud ringer.
Price
$114.95
Monthly cost
No maker plan; call blocking needs Caller ID from your phone company (price varies by provider)
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Low
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing
Hearing or vision aid
WeWALK Smart Cane 2
by WeWALK
What it helps with
A smart white cane with obstacle detection and phone-based navigation.
Price
$799
Monthly cost
Optional paid upgrade
Who it might fit
Families
Setup effort
Medium
Last checked: Oct 21, 2026
See full listing

Every listing on this page was checked on the date shown. See how we check.

Questions people ask

Can I get a captioned phone for free?

Some captioned phone services are free to people who qualify. The listing links to the maker's page that explains how.

Are there free apps for people who are blind or have low vision?

Yes. Some free apps read text out loud or connect you with a sighted volunteer by video.

What is an amplified phone?

A home phone that makes voices louder and clearer, often with big buttons and a loud ringer.