Today there are more choices of phone lines than ever before, with options like Digital Cable phone service, DSL, Voice Over IP (VOIP), and Fiber Optics (FIOS). As you make decisions about your phone service, it is important to understand CapTel telephone line requirements.

Analog & DSL Lines
The CapTel phone is designed to work with an analog telephone line. CapTel may also be used with a Digital Subscriber Line (DSL) with an appropriate analog filter. Digital office telephone lines are not compatible with CapTel and may damage the telephone. Please use the phone cord provided with CapTel or a similar phone cord.

If you are installing CapTel in an office, check with the telephone system administrator to ensure an analog port is available.

PBX Systems
CapTel can be used in offices, hotels, or nursing homes on a PBX network provided an analog line or analog port is used. This is the same line that an office fax or a direct connect TTY would require.

Digital Cable/VOIP
CapTel can ONLY be used on a digital cable or VOIP line if set up in 2-Line mode. In 2-Line mode, Line 1 (which carries the voice part of the conversation) can be a digital cable or VOIP line such as Time Warner, Comcast, or Vonage. However, Line 2 (which carries the captions) MUST be an analog line or DSL with an analog filter. Note: A PBX office environment still requires an analog line or analog port for both Lines 1 and 2.

Why an Analog Line?
While the CapTel looks and acts like a traditional telephone, it is really a very different kind of device. It is similar to a small computer. To show the text captions along with a caller?s voice, the CapTel sets up a data connection (just like a fax machine or a computer modem connection) with the Captioning Service. Because data connections require a more stable connection with minimum interference, the CapTel is only recommended for use on analog phone lines.

As the various telephone line options continue to expand, please visit the CapTel website for the most current information about line requirements.

To find out what type of telephone line you have, contact your telephone company.

Voice Carry Over (VCO) lets individuals with a hearing loss continue to use their own voice on the telephone.

Ultratec’s technology of VCO gives people the ability to speak directly to the person they are calling, then read that person”s response on their TTY or Uniphone display. No more straining to hear the response, or asking people to repeat themselves. Because you can read their words, the meaning comes through loud and clear every time. And the conversation maintains a personal, natural feeling, because people are using their own voice.

TTY stands for Text Telephone (or Teletypewriter for the Deaf). It is also sometimes called a TDD, or Telecommunication Device for the Deaf. TTY is the more widely accepted term, however, as TTYs are used by many people, not just people who are deaf.

Photo of someone using a TTY A TTY is a special device that lets people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired use the telephone to communicate, by allowing them to type messages back and forth to one another instead of talking and listening. A TTY is required at both ends of the conversation in order to communicate.

To use a TTY, you set a telephone handset onto special acoustic cups built into the TTY (some TTY models can be plugged directly into a telephone line). Then, type the message you want to send on the TTY’s keyboard. As you type, the message is sent over the phone line, just like your voice would be sent over the phone line if you talked. You can read the other person’s response on the TTY’s text display.

Photo of a TRS operatorIf you don’t have a TTY, you can still call a person who is deaf, hard of hearing, or speech-impaired by using the Telecommunications Relay Service (TRS). With TRS, a special operator types whatever you say so that the person you are calling can read your words on his or her TTY display. He or she will type back a response, which the TRS operator will read aloud for you to hear over the phone. Toll free TRS services are available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.

Related Links:

AboutTTY.com

Teleprinter

1. Start by setting the Tone control in the middle between the “Low” and “High” settings.
2. Make sure the Volume control is in the middle between the “Low” and “High” settings.
3. Place a call.
4. Press the VOL button to turn on amplification.
5. As you listen to the person on the other end of the line, experiment by slowly increasing the Volume setting. Also, try moving the Tone control slightly toward the “Low” or “High” settings. You need to set this only once. Every time you press the VOL button, the CrystalTone will use these settings.

NOTE: Some hearing aids may be sensitive when high-frequency sounds are ampified. If you experience a “crackling” sound, please try the following:

• Move the Tone control slightly toward “Low” until the crackling stops.
• Move the Volume control slightly toward “Low” until the crackling stops.
• Change the Crystal Tone switch to the “B” setting to reduce high-frequency amplification. Then, repeat the steps above.(This switch is located on the bottom of your phone.)

Amplified Telephones increase the volume of a traditional telephone call, helping you to understand more clearly over the phone. To help you choose the right amplified phone for you (or your loved one), here are some factors to consider:

Volume Level

Amplified Phones can increase the volume of the caller’s voice anywhere from 20dB to 50+dB. Some people will need just a little amplification, while others may benefit from higher volume levels. The best bet is to select a phone that has adjustable volume control, letting you set it to the volume that works best for you.

Tone Control

In addition to increasing the volume, some amplified phones allow you to adjust the “tone” of the incoming sound. This enhances high (or low) sound frequencies, such as the voice of women or young children, making it easier to hear those frequencies that you may have difficulty with. Tone control also filters out background noises. Because each individual’s needs will be different, look for an amplified phone that offers adjustable tone control.

Hearing-Aid Compatibly

If you are a hearing aid user, make sure that the handset of the amplified phone is hearing aid compatible. Our knowledgable sales team can provide helpful tips and instructions for the best way to use amplified telephones with your hearing aids.

Flexibility

Some amplified phones are designed to meet a specific type of hearing loss. In many cases, however, your individual hearing abilities will be unique. Your hearing needs may even change over time (or change on a day to day basis!) We recommend you consider the flexibility of an amplified phone, making sure that it can be fine-tuned to your individual hearing level and that it can accommodate your specific hearing needs as they change over time.