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NC Department of Health and Human Services Division of Services for the Deaf and the Hard of Hearing
 
 

What Technology is Right for You?

The Regional Centers in your area can help you find the appropriate technology to meet your needs. The following is a list of technology that Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind and Speech-Impaired individuals use to assist with communication.

Video Relay Service (VRS)

This form of telephone relay service allows persons whose primary language is American Sign Language (ASL) to communicate with non-signers via sign language interpreters using video conferencing equipment.

ASL users may make calls using video relay services from a Regional Center. Also, with the right equipment such as a computer and a webcam, individuals can use VRS to communicate with others while at home or at the office. Several companies provide VRS.


Providers


Telephone Relay Service (TRS)

TRS is an operator service that allows people who are Deaf, Hard of Hearing, Deaf-Blind or Speech-Impaired to place calls to standard telephone users via a keyboard or assistive device.

For more information see
Click for Relay brochure
Relay North Carolina








Internet Relay (also known as IP Relay)

Internet relay service is a form of telephone relay that replaces the TTY (a common telecommunications device for the Deaf) and telephone line with a specialized computer program and internet connection. IP Relay services are provided through many different types of devices such as a personal computer, laptop, mobile phone, PDA, or other devices capable of utilizing the connection methods provided by an IP Relay provider.

Providers


Instant Messaging (also known as IM)

Instant Messaging is a form of real-time communication between two or more people based on typed text. The text is conveyed via computers or wireless device connected over a network such as the Internet.

Ex: AIM Link goes outside of N.C. DHHS., MSN Messenger Link goes outside of N.C. DHHS., Yahoo! Messenger Link goes outside of N.C. DHHS., Google Talk Link goes outside of N.C. DHHS.


Wireless Devices (also known as pagers)

Wireless devices can communicate with other devices without being physically attached to them. Deaf users can call any voice caller through Wireless Internet Relay.

For more information about wireless pagers, contact a provider in your area.

Regional and National Providers


Captioned Telephone (also known as CapTel)

It is a telephone that displays real-time captions of the telephone conversation between a Deaf or Hard of Hearing person and a hearing person. The captions are typically displayed on a screen embedded into the telephone base. A captioned telephone may also be called a CapTel, which is the main brand name for a captioned telephone.

Find out more at

Click for CapTel website
CapTel







Internet Captioned Telephone Service

This service functions very much like captioned telephone, but it lets you enjoy telephone conversations with the convenience of online captions. You make/receive phone calls using any phone you want, while viewing captions of the call in the Internet browser window on your computer. It is just like a traditional CapTel phone call, only you use your own phone (any phone!) and watch the captions on a computer monitor instead of the CapTel display screen.

Providers


Assistive Listening Devices (ALDs)

An assistive listening device (ALD) is any type of device that can help you function better in your day-to-day communication situations. An ALD can be used with or without hearing aids to overcome the negative effects of distance, background noise, or poor room acoustics. So even though you have a hearing aid, ALDs can offer greater ease of hearing (and therefore reduced stress and fatigue) in many day-to-day communication situations.

Types of ALDs

  • Personal frequency modulation (FM) systems are like miniature radio stations operating on special frequencies assigned by the Federal Communications Commission. The personal FM system consists of a transmitter microphone used by the speaker and a receiver used by you, the listener.

  • Infrared systems are often used in the home with TV sets, but, like the FM system, they can also be used in large settings like theaters. Sound is transmitted using infrared light waves. The TV is set at a volume comfortable for family members. The infrared system transmitter transmits the TV signal to your receiver, which you can adjust to your desired volume. Thus, TV watching as a family becomes pleasurable for all. While it is not too loud for family members with normal hearing, the volume is just right for you because it is adjusted by you through your individual receiver.

  • Alerting Devices signal you when a sound occurs by using visual or tactile notifications.

    Signalers can respond to:
    • doorbells
    • knocks-at-the-door
    • phones ringing
    • fire alarm/smoke alarm devices
    • baby-crying devices
    • room-to-room sound alerting systems
    • vibrating clock alarms, watches, and paging systems

    Many use strobe lights, conventional lights, or vibrating systems to alert you.


  • Amplified Phones increase the volume and clarity of standard telephone handsets.

  • Speech Assistive Devices are devices (speech generating or non-speech generating) that helps an individual with a speech impairment to communicate with others.

    Examples
    • Artificial larynx kit with a amplified phone
    • Fluency System for Stutters

For more information contact a Regional Center near you.