Textphones

If you are deafened then you will probably find that an ordinary telephone - even with an amplifier is not suitable for you. In this case, you may want to consider using a textphone, often refered to as a minicom in the UK. Social Services will often provide a textphone on free long term loan if you are deafened.

Textphones have a keyboard and a small screen. The simplest way of using textphones to communicate is where you have two textphones - one at each end of the phoneline. When a message is typed on one textphone, it appears on the screen of the textphone and also on the screen of the other textphone, and vice versa. Generally speaking, only one person can type at any one time - you must take it in turns.

Protocol:

1. Type your sentence/comment, then type GA so that the other person knows that it is their turn to type

2. Read the reply from the other person. When they have finished they will type GA so that you know that it is your turn to type.

3. When you have finished typing and want to go, type BIBI - this means that you are ready to finish, but haven’t hung up yet.

4. When you have finished altogether, type SKSK - this means that you are hanging up.

GA stands for Go Ahead

SKSK stands for Stop Keying

Voice Carry Over (VCO)

If you can speak, but cannot hear - which is usually the case if you are deafened, then you might want to use voice-carry-over (VCO). Several textphones allow you do to this, but it does take practise. Instead of typing your message, you speak as normal - but the reply is typed back to you. You usually have to switch from text mode to VCO mode to do this.  On some textphones this is relatively easy - on others VCO is not really practical.

Printers

Some textphones have a built-in printer (or optional printer) so that you can print out your conversations. Others allow you to scroll back through the conversation.

Answering Machines

Ordinary answering machines cannot record textphone messages, but there are several textphones that have built-in answering machines. These will record textphone messages if you are not able to answer the phone. Please note that textphone answering mechines are not able to record voice messages.

Knowing when the textphone is ringing

Most textphones have a small flashing indicator to let you know that there is a call coming in. However, you will usually need a flashing alert as well. See section ‘Ring, ring.’

TypeTalk

In the UK if you use a textphone you can still contact people/businesses/services who don’t have a textphone by going through a special operator service called TypeTalk. To use the TypeTalk service you must first sign up. It doesn’t cost anything to sign up, or to use the service. Phone calls are charged as if you had dialled them directly from your own phone, and a rebate is available on the actual cost of the phone call (for textphone users) - because it takes longer to type than it does to speak, so calls using a textphone take longer.

There is a special emergency number that allows people with a textphone to contact the emergency services - fire, ambulance, police.

The TypeTalk operators are covered by the Official Secrets Act - they are not allowed to repeat anything that they hear during conversations, so the service is completely confidential.

To contact someone who doesn’t have a textphone:

1. Dial the TypeTalk number. Give them your identification number and phone number. Tell them who you want to call.

2. Type your message to the operator.

3. The operator reads your message to the person you are calling.

4. The person replys.

5. The operator types their reply back to you

… and so on.

People who don’t have a textphone themselves, can also use TypeTalk to contact people who use a textphone.

You can also use voice carry over with TypeTalk. To use VCO with TypeTalk:

1. Contact TypeTalk. Give them your identification number and phone number. Tell them who you want to call. Tell the operator that you want to use VCO.

2. Wait for the operator to type to you that you are connected, and that they are ready for you to speak.

3. Give your message. When you have finished speaking say ‘go ahead’

4. The person you have contacted will reply.

5. The operator will type their reply back to you, and tell you when they are ready for you to speak again.

There is usually a delay while the operator switches from VCO mode to text mode, so you can’t reply immediately.

Models

Traditional Minicoms

Traditional minicoms are used with an ordinary phone. The phone handset is placed on top of the minicom unit, on special couplers. The minicom can be battery operated, or connected to the mains. The advantage of this type of unit is that the telephone can also be used as an ordinary phone, and no additional phone socket is required. However, not all phone handsets fit snuggly on the couplers, and if there is any background noise where the minicom is being used, then you often get supurious signals as the minicom picks up the noise and tries to interpret it as text messages.

Traditional mincioms also have a very clear display and larger buttons, which can make them easier to use for people with poor sight and dexterity. They are available with a built-in printer, and with a built-in answering machine.

 Price range £250 - £350 (ex VAT).

Minicom Pro 100 / 400

The Minicom Pro connects directly to a phone socket. The Pro 400 also has a built-in speaker phone which can be used for voice carry over, or can be used as a hands-free phone for people who can hear.

The Minicom Pro provides a relatively cheap option for people who want to use a textphone. It is also small and compact. One disadvantage is that the keys are fairly small, and lack contrast, as does the display, which makes it difficult to use for people with poor eyesight.

The Minicom Pro 100 costs about £99 (ex VAT) and the Pro 400 about £179 (ex VAT).

Uniphone

The Uniphone is an ordinary telephone and a textphone. The handset is hearing aid compatible, and there is a volume control. There is a built-in answering machine for text calls only. One disadvantage is that the keys are fairly small, and lack contrast, as does the display, which makes it difficult to use for people with poor eyesight.

You can use voice carry over with this phone.

The Uniphone costs about £200 (ex VAT).

Compact

If you want to be able to carry a textphone with you, then the Compact is one option you could consider. The Compact is a portable textphone, with small couplers on which you can place any telephone handset (results vary).

The Compact costs about £240 (ex VAT).

Public Textphones

BT provide public textphones at major locations in the Uk such as airports and transport terminals. Contact BT for an up-to-date list of locations.