TTY Mode Meaning – Its Work and Benefits

You cannot overlook the fact that communication over a device was never inclusive of people with speech and hearing impairments. But TTY mode, developed in the 1960s by a deaf scientist, Robert Weitbrecht, changed the communication scenario.

TTY mode may sound old school, but its relevance is undeniable. With TTY mode, you can send text over a phone line and exchange messages in real time. And, the good news is, you do not need any high-speed internet or popular apps on your phone.

You can turn on TTY mode, call your intended person, and start sending texts, making communication direct and easy. If your loved ones have any speech or hearing impairments, you do not need a translator anymore. You can use TTY mode and have a hearty conversation in no time.

In this blog, you will explore TTY mode, how it works, its benefits, and its limitations.

TTY Mode Meaning

You must be thinking about TTY mode. TTY stands for Text Telephone or Teletypewriter. It allows you to send and receive texts over a phone line.

It is a communication medium that is especially designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing or have speech impairment. The regular phone call feature was not designed keeping these issues in mind. Then, TTY came as a boon, making communication inclusive for all people.

TTY mode facilitates real-time transfer of texts with both the calling and the receiving parties needing to be on the phone line at the same time. Anyone with a TTY device or a phone that supports the use of TTY mode can use TTY or Text Telephone to communicate.

How Does TTY Mode Work?

TTY mode converts text into signals to transmit them over a phone line. People can type and read messages instead of speaking and listening. Want to know how TTY mode works? Let’s get into the details.

• Using a TTY Device or TTY Mode on a Phone: You need a TTY device or turn on the TTY mode on your phone. The device has a screen and keyboard. You can type messages during a phone call.
• Sending a Message Over the Phone Line: The TTY device then converts the text into tones. These tones transmit through the phone line to the receiving TTY device.
• Receiving and Displaying the Message: The receiving TTY device then converts the tones back to text. It is then displayed on the screen for the recipient to read the message.
• Taking Turn in Conversation: Only one person can type at a time. Hence, it applies cues like “GA” for “Go Ahead” or “SK” (Stop Keying) to end the conversation.

TTY mode may sound a bit old to you, but it is still used today when modern methods are not available or relevant.

TTY Mode in Smartphones

Smartphones today are built with TTY modes. You only need to enable or disable it as per your needs.

How to Enable TTY Mode on Android/iPhone?

To enable TTY mode on Android:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap on Accessibility.
• Search Hearing section. Tap on TTY mode.
• You can choose between the available options: Full TTY, HCO (Hearing Carry Over), or VCO (Voice Carry Over).

Note: Full TTY is for people with both hearing and speech impairment; both parties only type and read texts. HCO (Hearing Carry Over) is for people with speech impairment who can hear. VCO (Voice Carry Over) is for people with hearing loss who can speak well.

To enable TTY on your iPhone:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap on General. Next, tap on Accessibility.
• Scroll down and tap on TTY.
• Choose between the options, Software TTY or Hardware TTY.

How to Disable TTY Mode on Android/iPhone?

If you do not need TTY mode, you can disable it to prevent it from affecting your calls.

To disable TTY mode on Android,

• Open the Phone app.
• Tap three dots (menu) in the top right corner.
• Go to Settings.
• Scroll down and tap on Accessibility.
• Tap on TTY mode.
• Choose TTY Off.

To disable TTY on iPhone:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap on Accessibility.
• Scroll down and select RTT/TTY.
• Toggle Software TTY and Hardware TTY to Off.

Now that you know how to enable and disable TTY mode on your phone, make sure to use it whenever necessary.

Compatibility with Hearing Aids and Third-party Apps

TTY mode is designed to be compatible with hearing aids and other third-party apps.

A. Works with Hearing Aids

TTY mode can be used with TTY-compatible phones and devices, along with hearing aids. Hearing aids with T-coil features facilitate picking up signals directly from the TTY device or phones. It has special features that reduce background noise to improve clarity.

B. Supported by Third-Party Apps

Today, third-party apps have taken to replacing TTY with new-age TTY services or features. Such as Text-to-speech and Speech-to-text, Real-time-text (RTT), and Relay Services. Some common accessibility apps are Hamilton CapTel, TextHear, Rogervoice, and so on.

Benefits of TTY Mode

Now, let’s explore the benefits of TTY mode.

1. Accessibility for The Deaf and Hard of Hearing

People who are deaf or hard of hearing or have speech impairment cannot simply use normal phone calls to communicate. So, TTY comes as a relief to them. They can call the recipient and send text in real-time to communicate with each other.

TTY mode has made communication accessible to these groups of people. They can type and read the messages instead of having to speak and listen. This inclusive technology makes them feel valued and seen.

2. Enables Independence and Privacy in Communication

TTY provides a platform for people to communicate independently. They can connect with their intended people without needing a third party or a translator, and communicate in real time as well.

People can communicate with customer service or book an appointment all by themselves. This destroys a barrier they once had in communication. This also reduces the probable problem of loss in translation. Direct communication allows transparency and privacy in communication.

3. Legal and Emergency Use

Individuals with hearing and speech impairment may not have other possible ways for direct communication. So, many government institutions, emergency services, and hospitals have realized its use and importance. The conversation can be printed and is suitable for use as evidence.

People who cannot communicate verbally or have a hearing impairment can feel helpless during times of emergency. Even calling 911 and reporting an emergency issue is not favorable for them. Hence, TTY is a lifesaver for them.

4. Reliable Communication in a Low-Bandwidth Situation

TTY needs a traditional phone line to connect rather than high-speed internet or mobile data. TTY can still be used in low-bandwidth situations or signals, making it a reliable method for communication.

This makes TTY a better option in rural areas, during emergencies, and natural disasters when modern communication systems and networks fail to stand a chance. Cannot connect during an earthquake? Maybe try TTY mode.

All in all, TTY may not be your regular communication platform choice, but it is essential for some while a last resort for other people. TTY’s effort in making communication inclusive for all is commendable..

TTY Mode Vs. Alternatives

Now let’s discuss and compare TTY with a few of its competitors.

TTY vs. Relay Services

TTY mode means a text-based communication platform where you can send/receive text messages during a phone call. It requires a separate device that supports TTY in the case of landline phones. However, the real-time text transmission makes the execution slower, affecting the quality of communication.

Relay service facilitates the conversation between the one using TTY and the other using voice by providing a live operator. It allows text-to-voice and voice-to-text translation, making communication smooth and efficient.

TTY vs. Text Messaging

Text messaging or SMS (Short Message Service) is a modern form of easy communication. You can just send a text message to your intended person over a mobile network or the internet. Contrary to TTY, you do not need to be connected online to the other party at the same time.

You can type and send the text. Your recipient will receive it and reply when suitable. Text messaging is easier, more flexible, and more convenient for communication. But TTY is still suitable for real-time texting during emergency cases.

TTY vs. Video Relay Services

Video Relay Services (VRS) provides sign language interpreters to sign language users to interpret and relay the message to the recipient. This service is based more on visuals and is targeted to those who are deaf and hard of hearing but prefer sign language to text messaging.

VRS offers a better communication platform, but TTY still may be preferred in some cases where video services may not be supported or compatible. People who are not comfortable with videos may still prefer TTY over VRS.

Moreover, TTY has been pretty much replaced by other well-developed alternatives for communication, but it still has its charm. TTY can still hold the upper hand in some situations.

Is TTY Still Relevant Today?

With the development of advanced technologies and broadband internet facilities, instant messaging through mobile networks or text messaging apps has seen quite a surge. Such methods are cheaper, easier, and more flexible when it comes to communication.

TTY, although preferred by people with hearing difficulties, has too many complications for its use. TTY over a traditional phone line may be a thing, but with smartphones, the texting scenario has changed. With smartphones being the new norm, TTY has been a lost cause.

The following are some of the limitations of TTY on smartphones. Let’s get into it.

Limitations of TTY on Smartphones

TTY offers great accessibility to people who are deaf or hard of hearing or who have speech impairment. However, there are some limitations when it comes to using TTY on smartphones. Let’s understand them better.

I. Compatibility Issues with Modern Apps and Services

Modern apps such as WhatsApp or Skype do not support TTY mode. They are built for voice and video communication. Hence, they do not support TTY systems, making text-based communication difficult.

Similarly, TTY features are also not integrated with VoIP services. Since TTY uses traditional phone lines and VoIP uses the internet for communication, VoIP is not suitable for text-based communication during internet-based calls.

II. Limited Support for Advanced Features

TTY mode does not offer real-time communication, such as real-time typing as instant messaging does. With TTY, there can be delays in typing and sending/receiving text, affecting the quality of communication.

Also, since TTY is a text-based communication, it does not support voice or video messages. Not everyone is satisfied with text-only messages in today’s dynamic world. People want variations and additional features in everything.

III. Requires Specific Hardware or Settings

TTY requires a separate TTY device for landlines. But in the case of smartphones, you need to activate the TTY settings by following a few steps. Not everyone is aware of this feature on their smartphone. This hinders the use of the TTY service.

Not all smartphones support TTY service. There may be compatibility issues with phones, hearing aids, and other specialized devices that further hinder the functionality of TTY services.

IV. Lack of Integration Across Different Networks

Not all mobile networks and carriers support the TTY feature. This affects the connection if the person you are trying to connect with is on another network that does not have a TTY feature.

When traveling abroad, TTY may not be supported in your destination countries. Some international mobile networks may not have the requirements to support TTY communication.

V. Aging Technology

With the presence of internet-based communication services that facilitate text and video calling, people have started opting for such communication platforms. This has caused a massive decline in the popularity of TTY.

Some other alternatives, such as relay services and video relay services, are also growing in place of TTY. Since TTY requires additional supporting devices and setups, all for just text communication, people do not find versatility and usefulness in TTY.

Conclusion

In summary, TTY mode, or text telephone, is a communication feature designed for people with speech and hearing impairments to help them communicate through text over a phone line.

TTY modes allow communication parties to send and receive texts, taking turns in real-time. It facilitates accessible communication for people who have hearing or speech impairment, providing them autonomy, privacy, and transparency in communication.

TTY is not limited to people with speech and hearing impairments. Anyone with a TTY-supported device or a phone can use it.

Next time you are in an emergency or when the internet and modern communication fail to perform, do not worry. TTY mode has got your back!

FAQs

What happens if TTY mode is turned on?

If TTY mode is turned on, you can communicate over text instead of voice during a phone call. You can send and receive texts instead of voice calls. This feature is designed for people who are deaf or hard of hearing.

Should I turn off TTY mode if I am not using it?

If you are not using TTY mode, it is advised to turn it off. Although it does not interfere with general phone calls, it can sometimes interfere with important calls, as your device may try to send a text through a TTY connection.

How do I turn on TTY mode on my smartphone?

To turn on TTY mode on your Android:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap on Accessibility.
• Search Hearing section. Tap on TTY mode.
• You can choose between the available options: Full TTY, HCO (Hearing Carry Over), or VCO (Voice Carry Over).

To turn on TTY on your iPhone:

• Go to Settings.
• Tap on General. Next, tap on Accessibility.
• Scroll down and tap on TTY.
• Choose between the options, Software TTY or Hardware TTY.

Can TTY mode be used with hearing aids?

Of course, TTY mode works well with those hearing aids with TTY-compatible features. Hearing aids today are built to be compatible with telecommunication devices. Some even facilitate Bluetooth connection as well.

Are emergency services compatible with TTY?

Yes, TTY mode is supported by emergency services. This provides accessibility to deaf or hard-of-hearing people in case of emergencies.

Can I use TTY if I am traveling internationally?

Since TTY devices and services are region-specific, you may need to check with your service provider or telecommunication company if their calling services support TTY.

Is TTY the same as text messaging?

No, TTY is not the same as text messaging. TTY is a text-based conversation over a phone call that requires a specific device for this feature, while text messaging is simply sending a text via the internet or mobile networks.

Can TTY be used with VoIP and modern calling apps?

TTY mode requires a traditional phone line or a device that supports TTY technology. Today’s VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) services and calling apps do not support TTY mode. You can use apps and relay services that convert text from TTY to other platforms.