My dad is hearing impaired and will not wear his ear plugs. Any suggestions on how we can communicate long distance?

Caption Call offers a free captioned phone to people with hearing loss. You will need to have a landline and internet connection. Applications are available online and just needs to be signed by a licensed hearing professional or a doctor attesting to the hearing loss.

Thank you for your responses .. yes I meant caregivers and I meant hearing aids. I don't live close to my dad and my mom is ill. I am thinking I should definitely get a landline as that could be half the problem and perhaps look into other technology that may increase the sound!

I have found if anyone uses a cellphone to call me on my land-line, I only hear less than 50% of what they are saying, the clarity is terrible. Then if the call is cellphone to cellphone, forgetaboutit, I call them back on a landline.

My gosh, I wonder if teens today think most phone calls are dropped, hiccuped, or buzzy? Not ever using a land-line to land-line telephone.

My Mom was pretty much deaf when into her 90's, but once in awhile she will hear a word or two and start talking about that subject.... this was land-line to land-line, and she had a volume control on her telephone.

There are amplified phones for the hard of hearing, my mom had one (a land line) that could be increased to a painfully (to me) high volume.

By ear plugs I assume you mean hearings aids? Do they work? Will he wear them if he knows you're going to Call?

How is he getting updates on your mom's Condition? It sounds as though there may need to be a change in where they are living as a result of his fall, so a visit is probably going to be necessary soon.

First thought: by caretakers I presume you mean caregivers, possibly. 89. Yea texting just doesn't work. Phone can work for those that can hear at that age. Hearing loss that is age-related tends to be due to nerves related to ear/hearing not working solid enough to keep consistent communication being great, which is why sight and speaking in front of the person along with hand gestures, writing things down they can read is really a better choice. I see you mention long-distance phone calls. In same state... a zip code or two away.... writing letters is one option, but typing them using a computer but signing with your name or including pictures is an option. Best option is face-to-face. You mentioned don't have car; work full-time; does not live close. So his wife is closer than you, I presume, based on what you stated. Start with getting exact address, ensure mail will be delivered, and send postcards or just cards period and include one-page letters to know you are still engaged. But, the ultimate best choice is eventually to spend a weekend. You would be surprised how a 6 hour visit one-on-one is a game changer versus just a remote conversation. Your father is alive and he needs people around him he has known for more than 10 years, and you will learn more about what is going on with him this month when you are actually there, at some point. Not always easy. And it is easy to rationalize/imagine that he is in good hands or being taken care of, without you being present. But if you ever had any good relationship with him at all, then that does matter. And with hearing loss, you have to make it easier for him to communicate, rather than expect for him to make sacrifices he cannot make. If you can hear, walk, talk, see, smell, taste, write, read, then you can teach him how to communicate but you might have to take the lead for him. I recommend direct contact and focus on the other 4 of the 5 senses that he still has. Touch, sight, taste, smell etc. Set a date to see him and write him a letter that you will see him. Even provide him with a calendar in the letter and mark it I will be here to see you this date. Just an idea. Good luck!