I am also hearing impaired, and I only have a cellphone (no home phone/land line). In the past I have missed calls left, right and center due to not being able to hear my phone ring. But now I have a Blackberry and I find that even on the 'normal' volume setting I am able to hear it ring, sometimes even in public. I find quite often the volume range varies by manufacturer...get them to demonstrate it for you before buying if you choose to go that route...