Question from A Follower

Question: Mike Rodriguez wants to know "How does someone who is hearing impaired communicate when they’d like to make or receive a phone call?"

Amanda's Answer: This is a very good question Mike. First, lets start off by remembering back when telephones were first invented by Alexander Graham Bell. The telephone was originally invented as a device in hopes to allow deaf people to hear. The telephone failed to work for this purpose, thus, Graham Bell proposed it should be used for hearing people to communicate over long distances.

Back before the technological boom, Deaf people would be unable to communicate by any means other than the usual snail mail letters, or via personal contact. There really wasn't any technology for deaf communication over long distances. However, technological advances since the 90s has made it quite easy for deaf people to use the telephone.

First, lets examine the TTY. TTY stands for TeleTypewriter. I have provided a picture to show you what it looks like. This device would allow you to dial the telephone number of the deaf party you are trying to reach, just like any ordinary phone. When a call is received, lights on top of the device, and other areas in the house, will flash (instead of a ring tone) to notify there is an incoming call. Instead of speaking into this device, one would type what they wanted to convey (kind of like a computer or typewriter). The words would appear on a screen attached to the TTY.

Secondly, we have a Relay Service. You would use a relay service if a hearing person without a TTY was trying to contact a deaf person. To use a relay service, the hearing person would call up a special operator who has access to a TTY. That relay operator would then be able to type what the hearing person is saying to the deaf person, as well as speak the typed words of the deaf party to the hearing person.

Another way of communication would be VRS. Video Relay Service. This device is the same concept as above, with some differences. The VRS systems can be contacted and connected via a computer or TV. This method is sort of like a webcam. The Relay Operator would sign to the deaf person whatever the hearing person is speaking; as well as speak to the hearing person whatever the deaf person is signing. We have posted a video to show you what this service may look like. Look out for the two famous comedians in this video; Keith Wann and Peter Cook.

Of course, with technology such as a Webcam, E-mail, Text Messaging, BlackBerry Messaging, Skype, and other devices of the like, you can see it has become just as easy for a deaf person to communicate over long distances as it is for a hearing person!

I hope this information is helpful. Please enjoy the Video and Pictures!