● "TTY = Teletypewriter

● Conversation is typed on special equipment and users read text based messages."

● "CapTel = Captioned Telephone

● Similar to TTY. Special phone equipment that provides real time captions on voice calls.

● Free through a federally funded program compliant with the Americans with Disability Act. 3 options:

a. Patient fills out this form and CapTel will contact them - No-Cost CapTel® Captioned Telephone Order Form

b. Patient fills out this form with Doctor certification - No-Cost CapTel® Captioned Telephone Order Form

c. Physician fills out Hamilton CapTel certificate for patient - Complete the Online Certificate of Hearing Loss/Order Form | Hamilton CapTel "

● "RTT = Real Time Text

● Basically live texting without needing to press ""send"".

● Compatible with 911 emergency services.

● Free on android and iphone. No special device needed."

● "Real Time Caption Generators

● Google Live Transcribe = Free app that transcribes speech and sound into text and allows users to respond via messaging.

● Hamilton Mobile Captel = Free app that transcribes real time voice calls into captions."

● "Video Relay Service (VRS)

● Good for sign language. The user contacts an ASL interpreter via webcam and internet who then interprets the conversation.

● Available 24/7.

● Free for users. Paid for by the FCC through the telecommunications relay service fund."

References:

1. TTY and TTY Relay Services

2. CapTel Captioned Telephone

3. CapTel 840 Plus Caption Phone | California Connect

4. Real-Time Text | California Connect

5. Live Transcribe & Notification - Apps on Google Play

6. Hamilton CapTel app

7. Video Relay Services | Federal Communications Commission

Version: GJ 2/13/2025