1	For Whom the Bell Flashes… Telecommunications Options for Hard-of-Hearing and Deaf Individuals www.wou.edu/nwoc/telecomm.htm Cheryl D. Davis, Ph.D WROCC Outreach Site at Western Oregon University 6/30/02
2	PEPNet Regional Centers www.pepnet.org
3	Telephone Use Issues Cannot hear well May not speak clearly No speechreading cues available Difficulties using one ear Poor sound quality hinders understanding Background noise problems Hearing aid compatibility issues Interference
4	I can’t hear the ring. Make the ring louder Change the frequency Flash the lights Wireless alerting devices
5	The phone isn’t loud enough. Modular (in line) Portable Amplified handset Built in amplification Hearing aid telecoil
6	I can hear, but the sound isn’t clear. Hearing in noise Listen with both ears Silhouettes, Neckloops, Headphones Pocket Talker Telelink CI Patch Cord
7	I don’t speak or hear. TTYs & TDDs With and without printer Direct connect TTY Analog vs. digital TTYs and computers TTY etiquette GA, SK “Eavesdropping” Interruptions
8	Sample TTY Conversation HELLO CHERYL HERE GA HI CHERYL THIS IS JOHN HOW ARE U Q GA IM FINE HOW R U Q GA IM FINE TX R U STILL MEETING ME FOR ULNCH XX LUNCH TMW AT CHEZ RAYS AT NOON Q GA YES ILL BE THERE IM LOOKING FORWARD TO IT SMILE SEE U THEN OK Q GA ME TOO SEE U THEN GA TO SK BYE TAKE CARE SKSK SKSK
9	The person I’m calling has no TTY. 711 Telecommunications Relay Services Confidential No charge Etiquette Speak slowly and clearly Spell proper names Use GA or Go Ahead Don’t say "Tell her…"
10	I speak don’t hear. 1 line VCO Caller places call through relay service Hard of hearing (HOH) person talks to caller Caller talks to CA CA types message for HH to read on TTY 2 line VCO HOH receives call, puts caller on hold HOH gets relay service on the 2nd line HOH, caller, & CA in conf call on one line, CA on other line using TTY HOH individual uses own voice, hears what he or she can from the caller, and has support of TTY text from relay service on the 2nd line, and speaks for self.
11	I want to use my computer. IP Relay (internet-based) www.ip-relay.com www.sprintrelayonline.com Video Relay www.csdvrs.org/VRSIndex.asp Email Instant Messaging MSN Messenger Video Conferencing MSN NetMeeting
12	I need portable communication. Pagers Two-way Alpha/numeric Cellular text messaging Palm Pilots/PDAs CSD Pager Answering Service
13	I get interference on my cell phone. Sources of interference Analog vs. digital Display Keyboard Battery Circuit Board Service provider technologies CDMA (Verizon, Sprint PCS) iDEN (Nextel) AMPS (Analog) TDMA (AT&T, Cingular) GSM (Voicestream)
14	Cell Phone Accessories Neckloops Direct Audio Input Custom Earmolds Portable TTYs www.attws.com/our_company/disability/TTYWirelessFAQ.jhtml For more information: www.nokiaaccessibility.com/accessories.html www.mot.com/GSS/CSG/accessibility.htm www.ericsson-snc.com
15	Other Useful Tips Context: Caller ID Multiple phone users (Is it a TTY call?) Distinctive ringing Call routers: Voice, TTY, Fax Retrieving messages Voice mail Relay services Ability to listen to message on handset TTY options
16	Tips: Hard of Hearing Person What your voice message should say: Please speak slowly, clearly and repeat your name and number Do not monopolize the conversation Do check for clarification Do be specific in your questions Tell them what you think you heard C like in Cake ABC-C; 123-3 Yes-Yes/No
17	Tips: Hearing Person Leaving messages: Speak slowly, clearly, with mouthpiece close to mouth Do repeat yourself-especially names & numbers Avoid using speaker phones Does the person you are calling have an effective way of retrieving messages? In the conversation: Rephrase, don’t repeat Allow extra time (TTY, relay, repeating) Consider sending confirmation letter Consider alternative forms of communication
18	Resources/Contact Information Cheryl D. Davis, Ph.D., Coordinator WROCC Outreach Site at Western Oregon University Regional Resource Center on Deafness Monmouth OR 97361 503-838-8642 (v/tty) 503-838-8228 (fax) davisc@wou.edu www.wou.edu/wrocc