The most common way to connect to relay – allowing a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to type their messages and read the other person’s responses.
A TTY (or text telephone) device includes a keyboard for typing one side of the conversation – and a screen on which the other person’s responses appear, which are typed by the Operator (OPR) through relay.
Voice Carry Over (VCO) is an effective service for people who have hearing loss and use their voice on the phone. VCO users speak directly to the person being called and, through specialized equipment, read what is spoken by the other party.
Hearing Carry Over (HCO) is especially useful for people who can hear but who regularly or occasionally have difficulty speaking over the phone. HCO users listen directly to the person called and, through specialized equipment, type their responses to the other party.
Deaf-Blind Service (DBS) allows people with combined hearing and vision loss to place and receive telephone calls. DBS users type their messages and read the other person’s responses, typed by the Operator (OPR), on a braille display.
Speech-to-Speech (STS) is especially useful for people who have difficulty speaking or being understood on the telephone. STS Relay involves specially trained Operators (OPR) who are familiar with the speech patterns of a wide variety of individuals who have difficulty being understood.
Captioned Telephone (CapTel) is useful for individuals who have some amount of hearing loss, making it difficult to understand what is being said over the phone. With CapTel, users speak directly to the other party and listen while reading captions of what’s said to them. Captions appear on the bright, built-in display screen of the uniquely designed CapTel phone, just moments after the other party has spoken.
Hamilton Relay allows standard phone users to communicate with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, deaf-blind or have difficulty speaking and who may use a TTY, TeleBraille or other assistive telecommunications device.
When you place a call through Hamilton Relay, your side of the conversation is typed by the Operator (OPR) and “relayed” to the person you are calling. The OPR then voices typed responses from that person for you to hear. It’s a simple, easy and effective way to communicate with family, friends and business people who are important to you.
Spanish Relay is available for all of the calling options offered in your state. Spanish and English translations are available in select states. Contact Customer Care to find out if your state offers translation services.