What Is TTY Mode on Cell Phones?

Many cell phones are TTY-compatible.

Cell phones aren’t just for people with perfect hearing. A cell phone with a Teletypewriter, or TTY, mode helps those who are hard of hearing attach a device to use a cell phone to communicate.

Identification

TTY enables the hearing and speech impaired to use text rather than voice to communicate using a phone, either mobile or landline.

Considerations

For a cell phone to be compatible with TTY machines, it must be a digital cell phone -- analog models will not work. The phone must also offer a 2.5 mm audio or headphone jack into which you hook the machine. In addition, the phone must include TTY mode. Check your owner’s manual or the phone’s options menu to confirm that your phone has the cabability.

TTY Equipment

To use your cell phone’s TTY mode, you must also have a TTY machine. These are sold under various brand names.

Function

When a cell phone and TTY machine are connected, the TTY machine then connects to a relay service, which converts incoming speech to text for the person using the TTY and converts outgoing text from the TTY machine to a spoken voice for the person on the other end of the conversation.

Usability

Though texting, IMing and video chat are also viable communication options, the National Association for the Deaf recommends maintaining your TTY. In an emergency, TTY machines offer emergency batteries that help ensure you can communicate even when your power is out.

References

• Ultratec: TTY Compatibility With Digital Cell Phones
• National Association of the Deaf: Don’t Throw Away Your TTY!

Resources

• AT&T Wireless: TTY-Compatible Phones
• T-Mobile: TTY Policy