But Hickey came away from the phone call hopeful that her son, Shane Bauer, and two other Americans held for nearly eight months in Iran will be home soon.
"The next time I hear his voice I'd like it to be in person," Hickey, of Pine City, Minn., told The Associated Press on Wednesday.
The families of Sarah Shourd and Josh Fattal also said they received calls Tuesday and all three reported being well. In a statement, the families called the conversations "a tremendous relief."
Hickey said it was "exciting to hear this voice after not having his condition confirmed for over four months."
"The first thing he said was: `Mom, this is Shane. I love you, I miss you, I'm strong. How are you?"' Hickey said. "I answered: `I'm strong, I'm determined, it's not going to end until you're home."'
Hickey said Bauer, 27, asked how everyone at home was doing and expressed concern for his two sisters.
"He sounded strong. He was talking very fast," said Hickey, who said she assumed the call was monitored. "He sounded determined. It was very good to hear that strength in his voice."
The families say Bauer, Sarah Shourd, 31, and Josh Fattal, 27, were hiking in Iraq's northern Kurdistan region in July when they accidentally crossed the border into Iran.
Hickey said the last time she talked to her son was about a week before he went on his trip. She said it was an "unexpected call but expected."
The families say Bauer and Fattal are being held in the same prison cell in Tehran. Shourd is alone in a cell.
Iran says the three are spies. U.S. officials have called for their release.
Iran's top human rights official said in February that Iranian authorities are considering a request by the families of the Americans to visit them in prison. Hickey said the families have not heard yet if they'll be able to visit the three.
In late December, Iran's foreign minister said the Americans would be tried in court, but he did not say when that would happen or what they would be charged with, other than to say they had "suspicious aims."
