Phone and Phone Devices

Individuals with mild to severe hearing loss can take advantage of amplified telephones designed with built-in amplifiers, tone and frequency adjustments, loud ringers up to 95 dB and maximum of 55 dB volume gain. Traditional desktop phones are available as well as cordless phones.  TAP for Telephone does not provide wireless pagers, PDA phones nor Video Phones for individuals.

Geemarc Ampli 550

Clarity Alto Plus

Features:

Geemarc Ampli 60+

The following are the features of the phone:

NOTE: ** This is a dangerously loud phone so use with caution!

The Voice Carry Over (VCO) phone utilizes special technology that combines voice and text communications over the telephone. It allows individuals who have a severe to profound hearing loss who wish to use their own voice, to speak directly to the other person on the telephone, and read the other person’s response on a text display.

CapTel 840 Series – Analog and Internet Based

(must contact TAP office at 800-647-8557 (voice) or 800-647-8558 (TTY) for more information): To qualify for the CapTel, the consumer must have a substational to profound hearing loss with speech discrimination scores of less than 60% in both ears. The consumer must be unable to use an amplified phone. An audiogram/hearing test must be provided at the time of selection. 

The CapTel phone is a voice carry over phone that utilizes captioning services (3rd party relay). It is available to individuals who are not able to use an amplified phone because of a significant hearing loss and who generally have a speech discrimination score of less than 60% in both ears. Documentation of hearing loss required. Contact Stacy at  sbrady@mo-at.org for more information.

The Captel 840 is to be used by individuals who have traditional analog telephone lines. The CapTel 840i cannot be used on an analog line. TheCapTel 840i is to be used on digital lines with high speed capabilities, such as DSL, VoIP, FoIS, etc.

The FCC requires that you be notified regarding the following for Captioned phone use:

1. The service goes through a relay operator in order for captions to appear.
2. There is a cost for captioning. The cost is $1.8205 per minute. You are not billed for captioning minutes.
   *You can be billed for long distance charges, these are not captioning charges.
3. Captions will be in default off mode. You must turn on the captions for each call incoming and outgoing.
4. You must be unable to benefit from an amplified telephone.
5. You will be required to register the phone and must provide your last 4 digits of the social security number and your date of birth.

Additionally:

1. This phone requires manual updates. You are responsible for maintaining the updates or the phone may not work correctly.
2. There will be delays in the call. This can be confusing for you and the end receiver who may not understand the long pauses. Introduce the person you are calling to this delay early on in the call.
3. If you have an analog phone, anyone who calls you must dial the 1-877 number (Provided to you with your phone), to reach relay.  The automated system will then ask the caller to enter the number they would like to call followed by the pound sign (#).
4. If the electricity is out the phone continues to work to make calls but no captioning is available.
5. If you have digital telephone service and therefore require high speed internet and the internet is down, captions cannot be obtained.

A TTY is a specialized telephone (also known as a TDD or TTY) that enables people to use the telephone to communicate by typing messages back and forth to one another instead of talking. A TTY looks much like a typewriter and has a standard keyboard. TTY’s are used with traditional relay services.

Ultratec 4425 TTY

(required analog telephone service, no bundle services.)

It features direct connect with two built-in telephone jacks and advanced calling features like auto-busy redial, three way calling, and TTY transfer. Call progress tells you if the phone you are calling is ringing or busy. Auto-Answer takes messages for you when you are unavailable. 

The 32k memory lets you save hundreds of telephone numbers, memos, and Auto-Answer messages by name. You can personalize greeting messages, memos, and outgoing Auto-Answer memos. Convenient arrow keys make it easy to review information saved in memory. 

Turbo Code lets you control the speed of your conversations and enjoy “real-time” communication with other Turbo Code TTY’s It also lets you interrupt one another. 

The TTY Announcer lets hearing people know you are on the line. The User-programmable Relay Voice Announcer tells hearing callers to use a TTY or use relay, and gives the phone number for your relay service. Auto ID lets everyone you call know that you are using a TTY. 

SuperPrint 4425 Features: 

This is an alerting device that increases the volume of the sound of the phone ringing. The signalers allow the user to customize the ring to make it ring high, low or warbled.

Williams Sound RingMax

If you have difficulty hearing the telephone ring, the Ringmax can help. The attractive Ringmax allows you to customize the ring to make it easier for you to hear. You can quickly and easily increase the ring volume and set the tone and “warble” to whichever pitch is best for you. 

ClearSounds CS-CR200

Did you just miss another important call?! Your telephone rang, did you hear it? If not, you need this telephone ring signaler. This Loud & Clear Phone Ringer makes missing a call a thing of the past.

Simply connect it to your telephone and when you receive a call the bright flashing strobe and the extra loud ringer are activated. It is guaranteed to grab your attention. You can also purchase the optional vibrating pad so you don’t miss those important telephone calls when you are sleeping or if you need a silent signal that the phone is ringing. Place the vibrating pad under your mattress or pillow and when the telephone rings the pad vibrates to wake up even the deepest sleeper.

Features:

Visual signalers are devices that work in conjunction with the ringing of the phone. It lets the user know the phone is ringing by turning sound (the telephone ring) into light.

Sonic Alert TR-75 Visual Telephone Signaler

The Sonic Ring Elite, model TR 75 is our top-of-the-line telephone ring signaler. The sleek, modern case has a lamp on/off button to allow the lamp to be used for signaling and normal room lighting. The ingenious power cord with unique Pluglet (Plug-outlet) allows you to keep your table uncluttered by unsightly lamp cords. There is also an indicator light to remind you to turn on the attached lamp. In addition, its advanced design draws very little phone line power*. The Sonic Ring Elite sends a signal to all Sonic Alert remote receivers.

Please visit the  Deaf Blind Equipment Distribution Program web page for these devices.