For families

Easy-to-Use Phones for Seniors: What to Look For

By the CaregiverConnect team · Updated 2026-11-02 · Sources checked on the same date and listed at the end.

The best phone for an older relative is the one they can hear, read and dial without help, and that keeps them away from scam callers. Rather than recommend models, this guide covers the features worth checking, the federal labels that tell you a phone works with hearing aids, and the FCC programs that can lower the monthly bill.

A woman and an older man talking across a wooden table at home

How we wrote this guide

We did not buy, use or test any phone, and this page has no affiliate links or paid placements. No phone maker or carrier is named. The information comes from Federal Communications Commission (FCC) consumer guides on hearing aid compatibility, captioned telephone service, Lifeline and robocalls; the FDA's hearing aid pages; the FTC's phone scam advice; and the National Eye Institute's low-vision guidance. The fcc.gov pages blocked our automated request, so we read archived copies saved in 2026 and link to the live pages.

Types of phones for seniors compared

Phone type	Good for	What to check
Corded or cordless home phone (wireline or VoIP)	People used to a home phone; a fixed place to find it	"HAC" label on the base; volume control; large, backlit keys
Captioned telephone (IP CTS)	People who can speak but struggle to hear on calls	Needs an internet connection; captions can often be shown large, which helps low vision too
Simple mobile or flip phone	Calls and texts away from home with few menus	"Hearing aid compatible" on the package; physical buttons; clear screen
Smartphone with accessibility settings	Video calls with family, photos, larger-text apps	Text size, contrast and read-aloud settings; whether the person wants to learn a touch screen

Many families combine two: a home phone with captions for long calls and a simple mobile for going out.

Hearing aid compatible phones: what the labels mean

Under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act, the FCC requires phones that work with hearing aids and cochlear implants. Its consumer guide explains what to look for:

Home phones: phones connected to traditional phone service must be hearing aid compatible, as must VoIP phones made or imported for U.S. use from February 28, 2020. Look for a "HAC" label, often on the bottom. Phones that allow high volume must reset to a lower level after each call unless the maker has a waiver.
Mobile phones: not every model has to be compatible. Makers and carriers offering six or more models must make at least 85% of them compatible.
The label: phones certified to the newest standard (the 2019 ANSI standard) say "hearing aid compatible" on the package, and the label must list "conversational gain," a measure of how much louder the phone makes speech, with and without hearing aids. Older models use M and T ratings; the FCC treats M3 or better plus T3 or better as compatible, with 4 the best.
Telecoils: hearing aids with a telecoil (T-coil) can pick up sound straight from a compatible phone, often cutting out background noise.
Try before buying: wireless carriers must let customers test phones in their stores. Bring the hearing aids along.

The FDA's page on hearing aids and cellphones explains the buzzing some hearing aid users hear on mobile phones and says the package labeling tells you whether a phone is hearing aid compatible.

Captioned phones for hearing loss

Internet Protocol Captioned Telephone Service (IP CTS) is a form of telecommunications relay service. According to the FCC, it lets a person who can speak but has difficulty hearing on the phone listen to the caller and read captions of what they are saying at almost the same time. It works on a dedicated captioned phone, and some versions run on a smartphone or computer. The FCC notes that some forms show captions in large text with adjustable fonts and colors, which suits people with both hearing loss and low vision. Registration rules apply; the FCC guide links to the current requirements.

How to choose: features that make a phone easier

Volume and clarity. Check the HAC label or rating, and whether the volume goes high enough without distortion.
Big, clear display. The National Eye Institute suggests changing phone settings to increase contrast, make text larger, or have the phone read aloud. Check whether a phone allows these.
Buttons the person can feel. Physical keys with space between them suit arthritic fingers better than a crowded touch screen.
Few steps to call family. Speed dial or photo contacts help. Set them up before handing it over.
Charging. A charging cradle is easier than a small plug. Agree who will check the battery.
Emergency calls. Practice an emergency call together so the person knows the steps on this particular phone.
Call blocking. Ask the phone company what blocking tools they offer, as the FCC suggests.

Where eyesight is the barrier, NEI points families to vision rehabilitation through the eye doctor; adjusting phone and computer settings is one of the services it lists.

Lifeline: help paying for phone service

Lifeline is the FCC's discount program for low-income households, run by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC). Per the FCC consumer guide:

Discount: up to $9.25 a month off qualifying phone, internet or bundled service (the Tribal-lands section of the guide puts voice-only service at up to $5.25), and up to $34.25 on Tribal lands.
Who qualifies: households at or below 135% of the Federal Poverty Guidelines, or taking part in SNAP, Medicaid, Federal Public Housing Assistance, SSI, Veterans Pension benefits or certain Tribal programs.
Limits: one Lifeline benefit per household; eligibility is recertified every year.
Phones themselves: the FCC does not subsidize hardware, including phones handed out by a Lifeline provider.
How to apply: online through the National Verifier, by mail, or through a participating provider. Texas and Oregon residents use their state's process. For help, call 1-800-234-9473.

Do not count on Medicare here. Its coverage page marks hearing aids, and the exams for fitting them, as not covered under Original Medicare (some Advantage plans add hearing extras), and phones are not on its equipment list.

Setting up a phone against scam calls

Scam calls are a real cost of giving someone a phone. From the FCC and FTC guidance:

Do not answer calls from unknown numbers; hang up if a caller asks for money or personal information.
Anyone asking to be paid by gift card, wire transfer, cryptocurrency or payment app is a scammer, the FTC says.
Government agencies will not call out of the blue to confirm a Social Security number or threaten arrest.
If a caller claims to be a bank or agency, hang up and call back on a number from a statement or official website.
Set a strong voicemail password, and do not click links in texts from unfamiliar numbers. The FCC says most mobile carriers let you report spam texts by forwarding them to 7726; check with the carrier.
Registering the number on the National Do Not Call Registry means live sales calls from companies the person has not dealt with are illegal.

Write these on a card next to the phone in large print.

When to ask an audiologist, eye doctor or therapist

If calls are hard even on a compatible phone, a hearing check may help. The FDA says over-the-counter hearing aids are for adults with perceived mild to moderate hearing loss and are not meant for severe or profound loss, which needs a licensed hearing professional. For low vision, an eye doctor can refer to vision rehabilitation.

Someone to help set it up and keep in touch

A new phone needs contacts, volume and text size set, and practice. A companion caregiver can do the setup, make regular calls part of the routine and help spot scam calls. Families post companion jobs on CaregiverConnect at no charge and employ the person they pick themselves. There is no platform background check, so read our hiring safety tips first, then look for a companion nearby.

Frequently asked questions

What is the easiest phone for an elderly person to use?

The easiest is one matched to the person: a home phone with a HAC label and large keys for many, a captioned phone for those who struggle to hear on calls, or a simple mobile with physical buttons. Let them try it before you buy.

How do I know if a cell phone works with hearing aids?

Look on the package. Under FCC rules, compatible handsets must say they are hearing aid compatible; newer models list conversational gain, and older ones carry M and T ratings, with M3/T3 or higher counting as compatible. Carriers must let you test phones in store.

Can seniors get a free or discounted phone through the government?

The FCC Lifeline program discounts monthly service by up to $9.25 for eligible low-income households. The FCC does not pay for the handset itself. Call 1-800-234-9473 for help applying.

What is a captioned telephone?

A phone, or an app, that shows written captions of what the other person says during a call. The FCC classes it as a telecommunications relay service for people who can speak but have trouble hearing on the phone.

Does Medicare pay for a phone or hearing aids?

No. Original Medicare does not cover hearing aids or the exams to fit them, according to Medicare.gov, and phones are not a Medicare benefit. Some Medicare Advantage plans include hearing extras.

How can I protect an older parent from phone scams?

Use call blocking from the carrier, register on the Do Not Call Registry, and agree a rule: never pay a caller by gift card, wire or crypto, and always hang up and call back on a known number.

Sources

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