I am looking for away to communicate with an older person. This person
is deaf enough that telephone conversations are extremely difficult,
and hearing aids just can't compensate anymore. They are not
comfortable with computers, but it's been suggested that an email
appliance like this one:
http://www.earthlink.net/home/mailstation/

... might be a good solution.

What are some of our options? Are there any gadgets meant for deaf
people that might make communication easier? We need something very
simple and low maintenance.

Hi! Thanks for the question.

I have found the following email appliances you could look into.

Pocket Mail
http://www.pocketmail.com/?loc=us

Mailbug
http://www.mailbug.com/

Sharp TM-20 TelMail E-Mail Organizer
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/ASIN/B00000J4G5/ref=ase_handcomputerdepot-20/104-0647010-0515153

Here are other lists of email appliances I have found.

iAppliance Directory
http://www.iapplianceweb.com/appDirectory/IAW_EMAIL_APPLIANCES

The TechTV website and Wired News specifically have features on tech
gadgets that could be used by the deaf. The article talks about young
deaf people but with much familiarity to the device, even eleders
maybe able to find them useful. The communication written here is more
like instant messaging rather than email so you could communicate with
them instantly.

"Gadgets Are No Luxury for Deaf Students"
http://www.techtv.com/news/print/0,23102,3404983,00.html

"Net Widens Phone Options for Deaf "
http://www.wired.com/news/gizmos/0,1452,57502,00.html 

The products mentioned in the article are the following:

Wynd Communications
http://www.wynd.com/

AT&T National Relay
http://www.relaycall.com/vrs/

Search terms used:    
"email appliance"
deaf gadgets
   
I hope these links would help you in your research. Before rating this
answer, please ask for a clarification if you have a question or if 
you would need further information. 
   
Thanks for visiting us.    
   
Regards,    
Easterangel-ga    
Google Answers Researcher

Thanks, Easterangel! This should help a lot.

Thanks for the nice rating and for the tip!

If you don't need completely interactive communication (ie a
'conversation') don't ignore a fax machine. Very simple to use, and
very reliable; can 'take messages' when the person is not at home
(especially if they have problems using an answering machine); and in
almost universal use by businesses etc.

Owain