Hi Jane, I'm both sighted and hearing. I just didn't want to try to listen while I might also be interrupted by my son or husband and with text there would also be the option to read back up a line or two if I misunderstood something. I didn't know that text chat would not list what people were speaking into their microphone. I had my sound turned off during the chat so I didn't realize that I wasn't going to be able to get what they said without sound turned on. Jamie in Michigan Currently reading: The Justice - Angela Hunt Find great deals on books at Half.com.