Best Cell Phones for Seniors With Hearing Loss, Tested and Reviewed in 2025

Testing out the iPhone 16e

The iPhone 16e, one of Apple’s latest models, has become one of the most dependable and loved iPhone models. It has a host of advanced features, but I’ve found that navigating the 16e is an intuitive and seamless experience for any user — especially if you have hearing loss. With a 6.1-inch screen, it is one of the most compact smartphones on the market. I enjoyed surfing the web, watching videos, and using my favorite apps without the hassle of carrying a big, bulky phone.

The 16e has a solid 48 MP Fusion camera with a 12 MP telephoto lens and voice-assistant features, but it made this list because it’s very easy to use for people with hearing loss. Not only does it have great sound quality, but it’s also compatible with large hearing aid manufacturers. The 16e is compatible with any Made for iPhone (MFi) hearing aids. Plus, the iOS app store offers several hearing-aid apps that allow you to adjust your hearing aids directly from your iPhone.

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Hearing-Aid Compatibility

The iPhone 16e has ANSI 2019 hearing-aid compatibility. That means it’s compatible with most hearing aids in microphone mode, and virtually all industry-standard hearing aids in telecoil mode. The iPhone 16e will work with the majority of hearing aids with minimal interference.

» Useful Resource: Best Hearing Aids in 2025

I tested the iPhone 16e with a pair of Jabra Enhance hearing aids. The entire Jabra Enhance line of hearing aids is MFi. I found the devices easy to set up with the iPhone 16e, and the sound was crystal clear. I tried the phone’s Hearing Aid Compatibility feature with the hearing aids. The feature improves sound quality when connected to MFi devices, but I didn't notice a major difference when the setting was turned on.

Speaker Quality and Sound Customization

My grandma was happy with the sound quality of the iPhone 16e. She initially assumed the speaker wouldn't be powerful, because the device was a little smaller than other iPhones she’d used (like the iPhone 15 Pro Max). She was pleasantly surprised at how loud the speaker was when we did a test call with the speaker mode enabled.

We noticed some minor “clipping” when I spoke loudly into the phone. Clipping happens when the sound input is too loud for the receiving phone’s speaker and ends up getting distorted. We didn’t have that issue with the more robust iPhone 15.

The iPhone 16e has many built-in features for optimizing audio. Some of the most useful accessibility features for the hearing impaired include RTT/TTY support and live captions. To enable those features, I clicked the Settings icon, selected Accessibility, and scrolled down to the Hearing section for various options.

One feature I really liked was Sound Recognition. It enables the iPhone 16e to constantly listen for recognizable sounds in your environment, such as a person speaking or an alarm going off. The only downside is that it drains the battery pretty quickly, since it constantly runs in the background when enabled.

Using the iPhone's accessibility features for those with hearing impairments

Those features are not unique to the iPhone 16e, since any iPhone that can run iOS 16 or later has live captions, RTT/TTY support, and various sound-control features for the hearing impaired. Still, the features were easy to use and helpful!

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Pricing

Consumer Cellular's plans and iPhone prices are flexible and affordable. A new 128 GB iPhone 16e costs $599. You can also spread your costs over two years with $24 monthly installments. Most Consumer Cellular plans are cheaper than the country's largest providers, T-Mobile, Verizon, AT&T, and Mint Mobile.

Consumer Cellular’s plans are affordable, starting at $20 for 1 GB of data and unlimited talk and text. Plans range up to $50 for an unlimited talk, text, and data plan. Keep in mind that if you want a single-line unlimited plan with Consumer Cellular, you’ll need to be aged 50 or older. But if you want multiple unlimited lines, there is no age restriction.

For comparison, Lively’s Basic unlimited plan costs $49.99 with the Jitterbug Smart4, so the two carriers are pretty comparable. There are four data plans to choose from (plus unlimited), so you can find one that meets your needs and budget. I appreciate this variety of options!

» Learn More: Consumer Cellular Review

One of our writers testing out the Jitterbug Flip2

Want to stay in touch with your loved ones without worrying about complicated smartphone technology? The Jitterbug Flip2 is a great option to consider! It's reasonably priced, easy to use, and comes with many health and safety features.

I found that the Jitterbug Flip2’s design is simple and practical. Along with its useful features, the flip phone doubles as a medical alert device. Lively has a team of agents who can send help after a fall or emergency 24/7.

» Dive Deeper: Jitterbug Flip2 Review

I pressed the large Urgent Response button on the keyboard. After 15 seconds, I was connected to a helpful agent. People with hearing loss are at higher risk of falling, so medical alert features like this are important.2

That’s just one of the many health and safety features the Jitterbug Flip2 offers. There are also on-call nurses, concierge services, and caregiver tracking through the Lively mobile app. The features are unique; you won’t find them with the other carriers on our list. You’ll also find them only with Lively’s Preferred and Premium phone plans.

The Lively Flip keypad and Urgent Response button

The Jitterbug Flip2 is very easy to use for most older adults. It may not have all the bells and whistles of a smartphone like the iPhone 15, but that's kind of the point. Unlike the TCL FLIP Go, the Jitterbug Flip2 is specifically designed to meet the needs of seniors.

Hearing-Aid Compatibility

The Jitterbug Flip2 has M4/T4 hearing-aid compatibility, which is the highest possible rating. That means you can use virtually any Bluetooth-ready hearing aid with the device. The Jitterbug Flip2 is one of the only phones with an M4/T4 rating on our list (along with the TCL FLIP Go). That makes it an excellent choice for people who use the telecoil settings on their hearing aids or prefer using their phone in microphone mode.

I tested the Jitterbug Flip2 with MDHearing’s Neo XS hearing aids, and it performed admirably. The simple list-style menu made it easy to set up the hearing aids via Bluetooth. My grandma was impressed that the sound came through without any problems.

I liked that, unlike the iPhone 16e and iPhone 15, the Jitterbug Flip2 has a standard 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, which means I could listen to music using wireless hearing aids or wired headphones.

» Related Reading: MDHearing Review

Speaker Quality and Sound Customization

The Lively Flip arrives in simple, easy-to-open packaging

The speaker on the Jitterbug Flip2 is loud, but we experienced issues with clipping. My grandma complained that the audio would often sound muffled or distorted when things got too loud. She had to adjust the volume level constantly to hear things clearly.

Fortunately, adjusting the volume is as easy as clicking the up and down arrows on the keypad. The sound distortion usually occurred when there was background noise or when I tried to speak more loudly on the call.

The Jitterbug Flip2 has built-in RTT support, but you’ll need a separate device if you want to enjoy TTY features. I could easily use voice-to-text and text-to-voice communication, but I couldn’t enjoy live captions, transcriptions, or other features that can be extremely useful for hearing-impaired seniors.

Pricing

The Jitterbug Flip2 retails for $79.99 (on sale for just $39.99 until 12/21/2025), plus shipping and activation fees. Lively's talk and text plans start at $19.99 for unlimited minutes and texts, or $14.99 per month for 300 minutes of talk and 300 texts. You can upgrade to a plan with more health and safety features, with prices ranging from $39.99 to $49.99 per month.

Lively highly recommends adding one of those plans because it allows older adults to use the medical alert feature, which covers you in emergencies when you may need to call for medical help. The health and safety features gave me peace of mind knowing my grandma would quickly receive help after a fall or other emergency, even if she was by herself.

» For More Data: Best Senior Unlimited Cell Phone Plans

Check out the video below to learn more about our experience with the Jitterbug Flip2.

Trying out the Jitterbug Smart4 smartphone

The Jitterbug Smart4 is a smartphone designed specifically for older adults. With a large display, front-facing speakers, and an affordable price tag, seniors with hearing loss can get everything they need without breaking the bank. Similar to the Jitterbug Flip2, I could use the phone as a medical alert device, thanks to the Urgent Response button.

The Jitterbug Smart4 is a simple yet powerful device packed with health and safety services. If you’re looking for some added protection and you don’t want a traditional medical alert system, the Smart4 is a great alternative. The phone offers a list-style menu and simple interface that make staying connected a breeze. My grandma could navigate the phone without any instruction.

» Learn About: Best Medical Alert Systems in 2025

Hearing-Aid Compatibility

The Jitterbug Smart4 has M3/T4 hearing-aid compatibility, which is a small step down from the Jitterbug Flip2's M4/T4 rating. Nonetheless, as long as your hearing aids are Bluetooth-ready, they will likely work with the Jitterbug Smart4.

Even if you have basic hearing aids that are not Bluetooth-enabled, there's a chance you can connect them to the Smart4 and other smartphones. You'll just need to contact the manufacturer to learn how.

My grandma and I tested the Jitterbug Smart4’s hearing-aid compatibility with Jabra Enhance and MDHearing devices. Since the Jitterbug Smart4 runs on Android operating systems, you can download apps to help you connect your hearing aids via the Google Play Store. You can also try to connect your hearing aids directly via the Bluetooth settings. We found both options pretty straightforward, and the sound quality was great with both hearing-aid models.

» Also Check Out: Best Android-Compatible Hearing Aids

Speaker Quality and Sound Customization

The front-facing speaker on the Jitterbug Smart4 is loud and clear. The sound isn't quite as clear as the iPhone 16e's speakers, but it still has ample volume and crisp audio. That made it easier for my grandma to enjoy calls and music, with or without her hearing aids.

One downside to the Jitterbug Smart4 is the lack of audio-customization options. Unlike the iPhones on this list, the Jitterbug Smart4 doesn't have the option to identify familiar sounds in your environment or ensure the right and left speakers deliver the same sound.

Like the Jitterbug Flip2, it also lacks built-in TTY support. It has live captioning, however, which is a great way for deaf or hearing-impaired seniors to get audio-to-text captioning while making calls or watching videos.

Making a call on the Jitterbug Smart4

Pricing

The Jitterbug Smart4 costs $119.99 (currently on sale for just $47.99 until 12/21/2025), plus monthly plan and activation fees. Monthly costs will vary depending on the plan you choose. Lively’s phone plans range from $19.99 to $49.99 per month. You must also add a data plan, which starts at $5 for 5 GB and goes up to $30 per month for unlimited data. (You can get 1 GB of data for free.) All in all, Lively’s plan pricing is pretty budget-friendly.

If you want all the features the Smart4 has to offer plus unlimited data, things get pricey at $79.99 per month. For comparison, AT&T’s Unlimited 55+ plan starts at $40 for one line (with Auto Pay and paperless billing) or $70 for two lines. You’ll receive unlimited talk, text, and data with AT&T’s plan, but it doesn’t offer any health and safety features like Lively does. Along with assessing your budget, you’ll need to decide which features are most important to you.

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TCL Classic

The TCL Classic 4G flip phone from AT&T is one of my top picks for people with hearing loss who want an affordable, easy-to-use cell phone. At $74.99, it's one of the most inexpensive phones with an M4/T4 rating. It also has minimal extra fees and affordable monthly financing options.

Along with the budget-friendly price, the TCL Classic is easy to use. It has a large keypad, a simple menu, and shortcuts to your favorite mobile apps. It’s also Bluetooth-compatible if you use Bluetooth hearing aids. Overall, the T-Mobile TCL Classic is a good option for people with hearing loss who are on a budget.

» Related Reading: The Best Bluetooth Hearing Aids

Hearing-Aid Compatibility

I’m a big fan of the TCL Classic’s M4/T4 rating. It’s the highest possible rating for hearing aid–compatible phones. The only other phone on our list with that rating is the Jitterbug Flip2. Whether you have mild or severe hearing loss, the phone should suit your needs.

I tested it with compatible hearing aids and had zero problems with the setup or overall sound quality. Like the Flip2, the TCL Classic has a 3.5-millimeter headphone jack, making it easier for seniors with hearing issues (but not necessarily hearing aids) to enjoy clearer audio through wired headphones.

Speaker Quality and Sound Customization

When it comes to budget-friendly phones, you often have to make some sacrifices. The TCL Classic is a great all-around phone. It’s perfect for seniors with hearing aids, but the speaker quality is not stellar. You can turn up the volume very high in the settings (not as convenient as the up and down arrows on the Jitterbug Flip2), but I experienced issues with clipping while testing the speaker.

It’s a pretty basic flip phone, so you don’t get much in the way of sound customization. You can change the volume, and that’s about it. The TCL Classic has built-in RTT support, however, so you can enjoy text communications during calls. If you need TTY or more enhanced audio capabilities, it may not be the best phone for you.

Pricing

The TCL Classic costs just $74.99,  and with AT&T, you won’t pay a ton of extra fees. AT&T’s plan pricing is competitive with simple, affordable 55-plus Unlimited plans that are packed with perks such as 5G accessibility and 10 GB of hotspot data per line per month. Prices start at $40 per month for one line, which is a little cheaper than Consumer Cellular’s Unlimited for Ages 50+ plan.

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Testing the iPhone 15's accessibility features for hearing loss

As a long-term iPhone user, I know Apple makes it a breeze for people to stay connected even if they have hearing loss. The iPhone 15 supports RTT and TTY phone calls without the need for TTY hardware. If you have MFi hearing aids, you can easily personalize sound settings and have great conversations, even in loud places.

In addition to seeing alerts on the phone’s screen, Apple allows users to feel (via haptic vibration) whenever a call, text, email, calendar event, or other notification arrives. I could even turn on a bright LED light flash for my alerts in the phone’s accessibility settings. Those features are excellent for seniors with hearing loss who may not hear the phone ring or make an alert sound.

Hearing-Aid Compatibility

The iPhone 15 has an M3/T4 hearing-aid compatibility rating, which is comparable to the iPhone 16e’s ANSI 2019 standard. You can connect your hearing aids via Bluetooth or, in some cases, via the manufacturer's mobile app. Either way, the iPhone 15 is a solid choice if you already have Bluetooth hearing aids and want a phone that will work with most models.

We tested the iPhone 15 with hearing aids from Jabra Enhance and MDHearing. My grandma and I were very pleased with the experience of setting up the hearing aids and testing the sound quality. The process was easy, since it can be done straight from the settings menu, just like with the iPhone 16e. My grandma never had any issues with the sound or connection quality.

»  Related Reading: How to pair your hearing aids with your iPhone

Speaker Quality and Sound Customization

The iPhone 15’s speakers are excellent. It features two separate speakers — one on the top front and one on the side bottom. I could hear the speaker well from virtually every angle.

I could also do a lot of customization with the iPhone 15 by enabling RTT/TTY, live captions, headphone accommodations, background noise masking, mono audio, closed captions, and audio transcriptions. The features are all conveniently located in the iPhone’s Accessibility settings.

Using the iPhone's RTT/TTY settings

The one downside to the iPhone 15, iPhone 16e, or any recent iPhone model is the lack of a headphone jack. You can still connect headphones via Bluetooth, but there’s no option for wired headphones. If you’re a fan of traditional wired headphones or you use a separate TTY device, it’s something to consider.

Pricing

The iPhone 15 retails for $629 for 128 GB of storage from Apple and major carriers as of November 2025, so it’s only about $30 more than the iPhone 16e. Data and phone plan pricing will vary depending on which carrier you choose. You may find the iPhone 15 from your local Apple store or Apple's website, Best Buy, or carriers such as T-Mobile, Verizon, and AT&T. If you have an eligible phone to trade in, you may be able to get a reduced price on your new iPhone.

» Related Reading: Best senior cell phone plans

I appreciate the flexibility of being available from multiple carriers. The Jitterbug phones on our list, for comparison, are compatible only with Lively’s phone plans. That locks you into one carrier. If you already have a carrier you love, you can purchase an iPhone without switching plans.

The iPhone 15 is a high-tech smartphone with a stunning design. I love that it has plenty of accessibility features, but it doesn’t come at the expense of usability. It’s easy to use and has a great speaker for people with hearing loss. Just keep in mind that it costs around $500 more than the Jitterbug Smart4 or iPhone 16e.

There are several newer iPhone models on the market, but I often recommend slightly older versions like the 16e or 15. They still offer all the accessibility features people with hearing loss need, but at a more affordable price point. The phone is still advanced, and it doesn’t feel outdated.

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