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Telecommunications, TTY and Adaptive Telephones
Telephone conversations can either be heard over
conventional telephones or read via a TTY device's data terminal
with a keyboard for text messages read by persons with deafness
or hearing loss. TTYs generally consist of a keyboard and display
screen.
TTYs can be used with telephones, over PC modems,
and with cellular telephones. Some support voice carry over (VCO)
for those who wish to speak, and then read the typed responses sent
from the other person. VCO also comes in portable versions to convert
regular telephones. Of course, the most appropriate device is one
that suits your budget and preferences, not just your needs. Be
sure to see all the new equipment out in today's market before making
a decision. Some products have pay plans worth considering, since
they will be useful for many years to come. You deserve the best!
Here are a few new TTYs to investigate:
Worldview TTY
Hitec Group International, Inc. sells the Worldview TTY—a high-speed
TTY personal computer. The Worldview TTY supports voice carry over
and comes with a specialized video camera so users can type, speak,
fax, or sign to other TTY users with video over the Internet. (The
video camera is an upgrade to a WorldView TCS--TeleASL video.) Payment
plans start at $25.00 a month. See Hitec below for details and information
on many communication devices. HITEC also carries a cellular TTY
system and various adaptors.
Ameritech Voice Carry
Over Telephone
Is a TTY telephone that supports voice carry over and comes with
an amplifier. The Ameritech VCO can be used in conjunction with
a relay service. Also available at Hitec.
Intele-Modem™
The Intele-Modem™ by Ultratec automatically converts ASCII
code to TTY (TDD) code. It allows users to talk to all different
types of text telephones and computers, and directly connects to
a telephone line. Intele-Modem™ works with standard communication
software and provides computer control with a modem. See Ultratec
below for details.
TeleBraille™
by Freedom Scientific provides deaf-blind users access to the telephone.
The TeleBraille™ combines a standard TDD with a Braille display
and is made portable with a battery pack.
EaseTalk™ + MIC300i
Easetalk™ is a modem software program by Microflip that features
simplified TDD, a French text option, dial number, cancel dialing,
hang up, clear screen, save conversation, print conversation, time-elapsed
indicator, phone status indicator, automatic dialing. Contact Microflip,
Inc. for details.
Fulltalk +MIC300i
is an internal modem answering machine with remote access and auto
detection for TDD or ASCII with numerous special features. Contact
Microflip, Inc. for details.
Amplification devices help some persons with hearing
loss, depending on the extent of the hearing loss. An inline amplifier
is very versatile because it plugs into most telephone jacks through
the curly cord and certain models are very powerful. Consumers benefit
from additional features like tone control or variable ring sounds,
flashing lights, and large dial buttons, or an audio jack to connect
to an additional listening device. Audio jacks require an electrical
outlet, as well as a telephone jack. Portable amplifiers, amplification
handsets, or cordless amplified telephones also are handy. Be sure
to check out a variety of devices to learn what is most useful to
you. [Also see alerting systems.]
A Hatis™ device
is designed for hearing aid users with a telecoil (a T-switch or
T-coil). A Hatis provides clearer sound quality than a standard
telephone and also can be used with a cellular telephone. The Hatis
eliminates digital interference and comes with a built-in microphone.
A cable connector is needed to plug the Hatis into a telephone that
doesn’t have an audio jack.
The Krown Manufacturing
Pocket Speak and Read VCO™ (PVCO) is portable. It’s
placed on the earpiece of the handset of any telephone (pay telephone,
cordless, standard, or cellular) and used as a VCO device. Users
speak and read the other person’s responses.
The Ericsson 778 cellular
telephone is compatible with hearing aids. Some people use
a T-switch on their hearing aid in order to facilitate clearer sound
quality of the caller's voice. A T-switch on a hearing aid blocks
out background noise.
Finish Line for DOS
word prediction software is available free online from
Innovative Designs, Inc.
www.FinishLine.FeaturedItems.com
913 San Ramon Valley Blvd.
Ste. 280
Danville, CA 94526
Email: FinishLine@FeaturedItems.com
Finish Line is compatible with speech synthesizers and TDD telephones.
Freedom Scientific, Inc.,
Blind/Low Vision Group
11800 31st Ct. N.
St. Petersburg, FL 33716
Phone: 727-803-8000 800-444-4443
Fax: 727-803-8001
Email: info@hj.com
Web: www.freedomscientific.com
Manufacturers/consultants of communication devices.
Hearmore
42 Executive Blvd, Farmingdale NY 11735
(631) 752-0738 voice
(631) 752-0689 fax
http://www.hearmore.com/catalog.htm
Distributors of amplified telephones, TTYs, and other telecommunication
devices; shop on-line
HITEC Group International
160 Madison Avenue, Burr Ridge, IL 60521
(800) 288-8303 voice (toll-free)
(630) 654-9200 voice
(888) 654-9219 fax
(800) 536-8890 TTY
Web site: http://www.hitec.com
E-mail: info@hitec.com
HITEC Group International distributes a diverse selection of communication
products and other assistive technology devices for people with
speech, visual, auditory and mobility impairments. Communication
consultants are available to assist consumers.
Microflip Inc.
11211 Petworth Lane
Glen Dale, MD 20769-2017
301-262-6020 Voice
301-262-4978 Fax
Email: dilip@microflip.com
Web: www.microflip.com
Specializing in adaptive software and hardware for persons with
hearing loss.
Phone Merchants
http://www.phonemerchants.com/hearimeq.html
Phone merchants are distributors of a large selection of adaptive
telephones, including TTYs and VCOs; on-line shopping.
Ultratec
450 Science Drive
Madison, Wisconsin 53711
608-238-5400
Manufactures telecommunications devices for the deaf that can be
made to work with VersaBrailles™ a communication device for
the deaf-blind.
Telephone Relay Services (TRS) link people using
a standard (voice) telephone with people using either a text telephone
(TTY) or telecommunications device for the deaf (TDD). Calls are
routed through a communications operator who has both sets of equipment
and who acts as the intermediary between callers. Such services
eliminate communication barriers between people with and without
hearing or speech impairments, and between the different telephone
equipment they typically use. Get complete dialing information and
telephone/TTY numbers for relay services all over the United States
at this government Web site: http://www.compliance.gov/telrfin.html
http://www.mysitris.com
People with speech impairments can make standard telephone calls without the need for an AAC (augmentative assistive communication) device, by using Sitris. Sitris is a Web-based service for making calls to any phone: fixed or mobile, or over any Internet access point. Sitris’ user-friendly web interface delivers a high quality text-to-speech engine to speak into the telephone by clicking on pre-stored phrases or typing what you want to say while on the call. The portability of this service provides users with the freedom to make calls anywhere, not just from home or places that have TTY devices.
| Note: See
the government pages of your telephone directory to locate free
telephone relay services in your state. |
Note: Infinitec Inc. does not endorse or recommend
this product and has no liability for the results of its use. Infinitec
Inc. has received not consideration of any type for featuring this
product on this Web site. The information offered herein is a summary;
it is not comprehensive and should be carefully evaluated by consumers
with the assistance of qualified professionals. The intention of
Infinitec Inc. is to offer consumers a brief overview of various
assistive technology devices and their applications.
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