What is TTY?

TTY/TDD and VCO Phones Explained

When referring to a telephone for the deaf, the terms TTY and TDD are thrown around a lot.  These are the telephones that are made for deaf or hearing impaired people to use.  TTY stands for “teletypewriter,” and TDD stands for “telecommunication device for the deaf.”  These acronyms are interchangeable. 

TTY/TDD telephones have been around for decades.  If you think about it, they were a form of texting before cell phones!  These phones give people who can’t hear the ability to use a phone when they wouldn’t otherwise be able to.  

There are two ways a TTY/TDD phone works.  A person can type into the machine and the recipient will see what they typed if they, too, have a TTY/TDD telephone.  It’s instant and same-time messaging.  What if they don’t have a TTY/TDD phone?  Well, there is a service called a Telecommunications Relay Service.  An operator will telephone the number intended and relay to the person what is being typed into the outbound TTY/TDD phone. (and vice versa) The operator will identify themselves as a relay operator and give instructions on how to proceed.  After one person speaks, they say, “go ahead,” to alert they are done speaking.

For example, let’s pretend a deaf person is making a call to his local bank.

Operator: [speaking what the deaf person is typing] “This is Joe Smith, I have a question about my account.  Go ahead.”

Bank Rep: Yes Sir.  May I have your account number?  Go ahead.”

Operator: Yes, my number is 123456789.  Go ahead.”

Bank Rep: Thank you.  I have your accounts in front of me.  How can I help you? Go ahead.”  

It’s quick, and flows the same timeframe as a regular phone call.  Best of all, this is a free service.  By law, every state has to have a Telecommunications Rely Service.  (Under Title IV of the Americans with Disabilities Act, to be precise).  All one has to do is dial 711 and an operator will be available.  Anyone can make a call to or from a TTY/TDD phone using this service around the clock.  

As technology advances, of course there are newer phone systems in place for the hearing impaired.  Some TTY/TDD phones systems come equipped with VCO capabilities.  VCO stands for Voice Carry Over.  This enables the caller to speak with their own voice and receive a text back.  This is just one option a person with hearing difficulties has in order to have access to a phone line.  

AdamTELCO has several TTY/TDD phones available.  The Ameriphone Q90D is one of the most popular items we have and it’s easy to see why.  It is a combination TTY and VCO telephone system.  It has a laptop-style keyboard that has one-touch button feature for commonly-used phrases.  It has a built-in microphone so it can be used as a hands-free VCO.  It has a bright visual ring flasher and backlit LCD screen. It’s lightweight and portable. Take it with you.  

Another VCO phone available is the Ameriphone VCO Telephone.  It’s a simple design that allows someone who is deaf or hard-of hearing use their voice to convey messages via the Telecommunications Relay Service.  The phone does work as a regular TTY/TDD phone and has a large LCD screen.  It also works as an amplified telephone; it increases incoming sounds up to 26 decibels.  

Everyone should have the same access to a telephone, regardless of disability.  The special needs phones available today are leaps and bounds better than they ever have been; there is no reason anyone has to be left out of the world of technology.  If anything, it is the world of technology that is helping to bring everyone on equal footing.  AdamTELCO has many more special needs products, other than phones, to meet the needs of people everywhere.