It's possible to cobble together a system.
1. Use a home automation system such as X10 which can provide flashing lights for phone ringings, etc. (from places like ww.smarthome.com). These aren't normally for the deaf but these are often superior to some of the deaf-made stuff.
Description: X10-comaptible Radio-Frequency Receiver
(Any compatible receiver will do - even the cheap $25 one -
Model 4005x purchased on SmartHome)
2. Buy a button that sends a home automation signal
Such as
X10 Big Red Doorbell ($20)
Although I hate X10.com due to their crummy advertisements (I prefer smarthome.com)
But they use the same "x10" communications protocol that is also used by Black&Decker Freewire, RCA X10 units, IBM Home Director, and other "x10-compatible" kits. Some of them are rather cheap, remote control a bunch of your lights for less than $100
3. Obtain home automation computer adaptor and software (i.e. compatible with an X10 computer interface), such as
HOMESEER.COM or other software.
(This is the expensive part - some software cost only $50, while other software cost $200 especially the more powerful software. But hey, some of them have free trials and discounts for certain things)
4. Configure the software's menus software to automatically send you an email (or run a computer program, or flash a light, or flash all lights, or ALL THE ABOVE) whenever somebody presses the doorbell.
Press doorbell -- your lights flash AND your BlackBerry/Sidekick receives an email ("Subject: DOORBELL RUNG at 12:45!" on your pager)
Yes, overkill solution but it's the "elite luxury" solution far superior to the crappy deaf products. An advantage is you can also build your security alarm, or have one button "turn the whole house off" (good for bedtime, good for when leaving home), from these modular plug-in wireless adaptors - no house rewiring needed!
You can mix&match different brands, even RCA, even Black&Decker, even IBM, or even the x10.com junk, all together -- they communicate using the same automation protocol. (IBM automation remote can turn an RCA light automation switch off, etc)
(Note: If you try X10 and find it unreliable, contact me - there are tips to make it reliable, including the plug-in BoosterLinc amplifier available at SmartHome)
Best website is obviously
SMARTHOME and
HOMESEER, but there's also power-home.com / homedomination.com /
Promixis / etc ... Lots of choices for computer-controlling your home lighting for cheap, driven by remote controls, burglar, smoke alarm, doorbells, telephone, sunrise/sunset, bed alarm! Make them all work together in one big automation network! No wiring needed -- modules are wireless, just plug them into the socket, then plug the lamp into the module. Replacement wall switches and wireless velcro-on wall switches are also available, if you want to also want to optionally make your wall switches remote controllable too...
I began just by buying a $30 kit (consisting of a remote control, 2 lamp controller modules, and a radio receiver) - which can be then expanded with adding a computer module and software, as well as the doorbell. You can probably pulloff the doorbell for less than $150 (remember this is a complete home automation system so you gain bonus features such as being able to remotely control/dim/brighten your lights from your sofa, etc.)
These aren't deaf products, but they are great for the deaf too!
We deaf geeks (with the know-how) have it pretty nice