Tina,

I have a CapTel phone.  You can speak to the person on the other end and see what they say in a caption screen.  The service is free and I got the phone for free here in Oregon.  I don't know if Kansas is like that or not.  The only drawback is that if someone wants to call you, they have to dial an 800 number then put in your phone number or there are no captions. 

 

But, it is an option to try if it is available.  I like being able to use my own voice and feel as independent as I can be.  I personally hate phone trees.  I usually hit 0 if I can't understand.  Unfortunately, this is not always a "valid selection" and I don't get an operator.  I really like it when someone leaves an 800 number and then says to select Option 1, then Option 3 (or whatever) to get to them directly.  It really saves me when I have to call back.  I don't have to listen to the whole phone message.