Cell phones are an important part of our life. They help us in many ways. But should they be limited only to certain people. What about those who are specially challenged? The deaf and hearing impaired feel they are isolated because they cannot use these devices. However with assistive devices they need not feel that way. There are telephone services for the deaf too. Here are a few of them.
Telephone with Amplification
These telephones are for those people who are deaf but have a little hearing left. For such kind amplified phone is the best. These phones look like normal ones but they amplify the incoming sounds up to 5o decibels. They are available in cordless and corded models. Its cost starts from $ 3o for just simple amplification and may range up to $250 for additional features like flashing lights that notify an incoming call.
Captioned Telephones
These telephones are similar to other phones except that it has an attached screen which the caller views during conversation. This phone can be used by both the auditory impaired and normal people. The auditory impaired can read what is said on the screen. These phones are little costly, but many states provide these phones free of cost or with very little charge to the hearing impaired persons. These phones can also be used with amplifying devices. These phones are best for people with hearing impairment but with a normal speech.
Typewriting Telephones
These are also called as TTD or telephone devise for the deaf. It is different from other telephones that it uses text to communicate and not voice. It looks like a typewriter or a computer keyboard. Information from one TTD is passed to the other TTD through signals, similar to a fax machine. Some models can also print and act like answering machines. Most of the companies offer its users relay services for communication between the deaf or with speech disabled people. It price range is between $300-$600. They are provided for free of cost or for very low cost by the state for the hearing impaired.
Services for relaying message
Most of the states help hearing impaired or speech impaired persons to communicate through relay services. People who use captioned phones or a TTD can use these services by dialing a special number and then type their message. These typed messages are read, typed and sent to the captioned phone user on the other end by operators who are specially trained. Local calls are not charged but long distance calls are charged to the long distance carrier.
These are some phones used for the auditory impaired people for communication.
