Getting groceries delivered sounds simple — until you realize most delivery services expect you to answer a phone call from the driver. If you are deaf or hard of hearing, a ringing phone is not a helpful signal. You may miss the call entirely, and the driver may leave with your groceries.
About 15% of American adults aged 18 and older report some trouble hearing, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. For adults 65 and older, that number rises to about one in three. Many of these seniors rely on grocery delivery because mobility issues, transportation problems, or health conditions make shopping in person difficult. So when delivery services default to phone calls, it creates a real barrier.
The good news is that several grocery delivery services now offer text alerts, in-app chat, and website-based ordering that work without any phone calls. This guide compares the best options for hearing-impaired seniors and gives practical tips for making delivery work when you cannot hear the phone ring.
Why Phone-Based Delivery Is Hard for Hearing-Impaired Seniors
Most grocery delivery services were designed with one key assumption: the customer can hear their phone. Drivers call when they arrive at your home. Shoppers call to ask about out-of-stock items. Delivery confirmations come as automated phone calls. For someone with normal hearing, this is routine. For someone who is deaf or hard of hearing, every step is a problem.
Here is what commonly goes wrong:
- The driver calls to say they have arrived. You do not hear the call. They wait a few minutes and leave with your groceries.
- The shopper calls about a replacement item. You miss the call. They make a guess you would not have chosen.
- You miss the automated delivery confirmation call. The service marks your order as "undeliverable" and charges a restocking fee.
- You cannot call customer service to report a problem with your order. Phone-only support lines lock you out of resolving issues.
These are not rare edge cases. They happen every day to seniors who use delivery services that were not built with hearing accessibility in mind.
What to Look for in a Hearing-Accessible Delivery Service
Not all grocery delivery services are equally deaf-friendly. When comparing your options, look for these four features:
- Text alerts for delivery updates. The service should send you a text message when the driver is on the way and when they arrive — not just a phone call.
- In-app or website chat. You should be able to message your shopper about replacements and questions without a phone call. Instacart offers this through their app and website.
- Delivery instructions field. You should be able to type instructions like "Please knock on the door loudly and wait — I am hard of hearing" so the driver knows what to do.
- Online customer service chat. If something goes wrong with your order, you should be able to resolve it through text chat, not just a phone call.
Services that offer all four of these features are the best fit for hearing-impaired seniors. Below is a comparison of the top options.
Best Grocery Delivery Services for Hearing-Impaired Seniors
We compared the five most popular grocery delivery services for seniors and rated them on hearing accessibility. Here is what we found.
1. Instacart — Best Overall for Hearing Accessibility
Instacart stands out because its chat feature lets you message your shopper directly in the app or on the website. When an item is out of stock, the shopper sends a text through the app suggesting a replacement. You tap to approve or decline — no phone call needed. You also get text message notifications when your order is being shopped, when the driver is on the way, and when they arrive at your door.
Instacart also has a delivery instructions field where you can type notes for the driver. We recommend typing something like: "I am hard of hearing. Please knock loudly and wait 30 seconds. Text me when you arrive." This tells the driver exactly what to do without any phone interaction.
Instacart works on any computer or tablet through instacart.com — you do not need a smartphone app. You can also have a family member manage the account and communicate with the shopper on your behalf.
Order at Instacart to get started. You can shop from stores like Kroger, Safeway, Costco, and more, depending on your ZIP code.
2. Walmart Grocery — Best for Text Alerts
Walmart Grocery sends text message alerts at every stage of delivery. You get a text when your order is being prepared, when the driver is on the way, and when they arrive. The texts include a link to track the driver on a map, so you can see exactly when they will reach your door.
Walmart also lets you add delivery instructions at checkout. Type your hearing-related instructions there so the driver knows to text instead of call. If the driver needs to contact you, Walmart uses text-based communication through their system rather than a direct phone call.
One limitation: Walmart does not have an in-app chat with the shopper like Instacart does. If an item is out of stock, the shopper makes a substitution based on your pre-set preferences. You cannot message them in real time about replacements.
Order at Walmart Grocery to start shopping. Walmart Grocery is available in most areas of the United States.
3. Amazon Fresh — Best for Fully Automated Delivery
Amazon Fresh requires the least communication of any delivery service. You place your order on amazon.com, pick a delivery window, and the order arrives at your door. There is no shopper calling you about replacements — Amazon picks substitutes automatically based on your settings, and you can return anything you do not want.
Amazon Fresh sends text alerts when your delivery is on the way and when it arrives. You can also track the delivery on the Amazon website or app. The driver typically leaves the groceries at your door, so there is no need for a face-to-face conversation.
If you already have an Amazon account, Amazon Fresh is one of the simplest options because there is no new app to learn. You order the same way you order anything else on Amazon.
Order at Amazon Fresh to check if delivery is available in your area.
4. Shipt — Good for Family Coordination
Shipt works similarly to Instacart — you order through their app or website, and a shopper picks and delivers your groceries. Shipt offers text notifications and has a chat feature for communicating with your shopper. The delivery instructions field lets you type notes about your hearing needs.
Where Shipt shines is family coordination. Multiple family members can be on one Shipt account, so an adult child can place the order, chat with the shopper, and track the delivery while the groceries go to your address. This is especially helpful if you have severe hearing loss and prefer not to manage communication yourself.
Order at Shipt to start. Shipt is available through Target and other partner stores in many areas.
5. Kroger Delivery — Best for No-Contact Delivery
Kroger offers delivery in many states through their website and app. Like Amazon Fresh, Kroger lets you set preferences for substitutions ahead of time, so the shopper does not need to contact you about replacements. You get text alerts when your delivery is on the way.
Kroger also offers a "leave at door" delivery option, which means the driver drops the groceries at your doorstep without needing to talk to you. You can add delivery instructions specifying that you are hearing-impaired and prefer text-only communication.
Order at Kroger to check if Kroger delivers in your ZIP code.
Comparison Table: Hearing Accessibility Features
| Service | Text Alerts | In-App Chat | Delivery Notes | No-Contact Option | Website Ordering |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Instacart | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Walmart Grocery | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Amazon Fresh | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Shipt | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Kroger | Yes | No | Yes | Yes | Yes |
All five services offer text alerts and delivery notes. Instacart and Shipt go further by offering real-time chat with your shopper, which is the single most helpful feature for hearing-impaired seniors who want control over their order.
How to Set Up Grocery Delivery When You Cannot Hear the Phone
If you are hard of hearing or deaf, you can set up grocery delivery to work entirely without phone calls. Here is a step-by-step guide:
Step 1: Choose a Service with Text-Based Communication
Pick a service that offers in-app chat and text alerts. Instacart is the top choice because it lets you message your shopper about every item. If you prefer not to chat with a shopper at all, Amazon Fresh or Kroger are good picks because they handle substitutions automatically.
Step 2: Fill Out the Delivery Instructions Field
Every major delivery service has a delivery instructions or notes field at checkout. Use it to tell the driver about your hearing needs. Here are examples of what to type:
- "I am hard of hearing. Please knock loudly on the door and wait 30 seconds. Do not call my phone — I cannot hear it."
- "I am deaf. Please text me at [your phone number] when you arrive. I will meet you at the door."
- "Please leave groceries on the porch. Text me when you drop them off. No need to knock or call."
These instructions appear on the driver screen when they arrive at your address. Most drivers follow them closely when they are clearly written.
Step 3: Turn On Text Alerts
When you create your account, make sure text message notifications are turned on. You want to receive a text when:
- Your order is being shopped
- The driver is on the way
- The driver has arrived at your door
These text alerts replace the phone calls you would otherwise miss. On Instacart, go to Account Settings and confirm your phone number is correct. On Walmart, check your notification preferences during checkout. On Amazon, check the notification settings in your Amazon account.
Step 4: Ask a Family Member to Help
If managing the app or website is overwhelming, ask a family member to set up the account for you. They can add your address as a delivery location on their existing Instacart, Walmart, or Shipt account. They place the order, chat with the shopper, and track the delivery. You just answer the door when the groceries arrive.
Instacart+ members can share their account with up to six household members. This means your adult child can manage everything from their phone while the groceries come to your door. For more on this approach, see our guide on grocery delivery without a smartphone.
Doorbell and Alert Alternatives for Hearing-Impaired Seniors
Even with text alerts, you may want a backup system for knowing when the driver arrives. Here are some options that work without hearing:
- Flashing doorbell: A visual doorbell with a bright strobe light costs $20 to $40. When someone presses the button, the light flashes. You can see it from across the room.
- Doorbell camera with phone alerts: A Ring or Wyze camera doorbell sends a push notification to your phone or tablet when motion is detected. You get a text alert that someone is at the door — no sound needed.
- Vibrating alert system: A bed shaker or vibrating pager pairs with your doorbell and vibrates when someone is at the door. These are available from accessibility retailers for $30 to $60.
- Smart speaker with screen: An Amazon Echo Show or Google Nest Hub displays a visual notification when someone is at the door. If you have a compatible doorbell camera, you can see the driver on the screen.
These tools are not required for grocery delivery, but they make the delivery experience much smoother for someone who cannot hear a knock or doorbell.
Using Relay Services for Grocery Delivery Support
If you need to call customer service for a delivery problem and cannot use a standard phone, you have options:
- 711 Relay Service: Dial 711 on any phone to reach the Telecommunications Relay Service. A relay operator types what you type and speaks what the customer service agent says. This service is free and available 24 hours a day in all 50 states.
- Video Relay Service (VRS): If you use American Sign Language, you can use a VRS app on your phone or tablet to communicate with hearing callers through a sign language interpreter. Free apps include Sorenson Convo and Purple VRS.
- Text-based customer service: Instacart, Walmart, and Amazon all offer online chat support through their websites. You can type your question and get a response without making a phone call. This is the simplest option if you do not want to use relay services.
Most people are not aware of these options until they need them. Save the 711 number and the chat support links for your preferred delivery service so you can resolve problems quickly.
Costs and Financial Assistance for Hearing-Impaired Seniors
Grocery delivery costs vary by service. Here is what to expect:
- Instacart: Delivery fee is $3.99 to $7.99 per order. Instacart+ costs $99 per year and waives delivery fees on orders over $35.
- Walmart Grocery: Delivery fee is $5.99 to $9.99 per order. Walmart+ costs $98 per year and includes free delivery.
- Amazon Fresh: Free delivery for Amazon Prime members on orders over $35. Prime costs $139 per year.
- Shipt: Delivery fee is $5 to $10 per order. Shipt membership costs $99 per year.
- Kroger: Delivery fee is $5.95 to $9.95 per order. Boost membership costs $59 per year.
If you are on a fixed income, delivery fees can add up. Here are ways to reduce the cost:
- Look for first-time customer discounts — most services offer $10 to $20 off your first order.
- Order with a neighbor to split the delivery fee.
- Check if your Area Agency on Aging offers delivery assistance. Call 1-800-677-1116 to ask about programs in your area.
- If you receive SNAP benefits, some services accept EBT for online grocery orders. See our SNAP/EBT grocery delivery guide for details.
Checklist: Setting Up Hearing-Accessible Grocery Delivery
Use this checklist to make sure your grocery delivery setup works without phone calls:
- Choose a service with text alerts and in-app chat (Instacart is best)
- Create your account on a computer or tablet if you prefer a larger screen
- Enter your correct phone number so text alerts reach you
- Type clear delivery instructions about your hearing needs
- Turn on all text notification settings in your account
- Set up a visual doorbell or phone alert so you know when the driver arrives
- Save 711 in your contacts for relay service calls
- Bookmark the online chat support page for your delivery service
- Ask a family member to help set up the account if needed
- Save the Eldercare Locator number: 1-800-677-1116 for local assistance
Frequently Asked Questions
Can deaf seniors get groceries delivered?
Yes. Services like Instacart and Amazon Fresh let you order entirely online with no phone call required. You can communicate with your shopper through text messages or in-app chat instead of a phone call. Walmart Grocery also supports text alerts for delivery updates.
Does Instacart work for hearing-impaired seniors?
Instacart works well for hearing-impaired seniors because shoppers can send text messages about replacements through the app. If you order from a computer, you can also use the website chat feature. You do not need to take a phone call to complete an order.
How do I order groceries if I cannot use the phone?
You can order groceries from a computer, tablet, or smartphone using the website version of Instacart, Amazon Fresh, or Walmart Grocery. All communication happens through text or on-screen chat. You can also ask a family member to place the order for you and communicate with the delivery driver.
What grocery delivery services offer text alerts instead of phone calls?
Instacart, Walmart Grocery, Amazon Fresh, and Shipt all offer text-based delivery notifications. You receive a text message when your order is on the way and when the driver arrives, so you do not need to hear a phone call or doorbell.
Can a family member help with grocery delivery for a deaf senior?
Yes. Family members can create an account on Instacart or Walmart Grocery, add the senior's address as a delivery location, and manage all communication with the shopper. This is one of the most reliable options for seniors with severe hearing loss.