What is a TTY?
A TTY is a telecommunications device used by individuals with hearing loss and/or speech disability to communicate through the telephone. A TTY is also sometimes called a TDD. The conversation is carried electronically over telephone lines and is read on a text display screen and/or a paper printout on a TTY. The electronic language used by TTYs is called Baudot.
A TTY (or teletype machine) makes it possible to send and receive printed messages on paper over existing phone lines. TTYs have been shrinking over the years. The newest versions are pocket-sized machines! For example, the PocketComm is a lightweight and compact TTY/VCO device for the deaf and hard of hearing. It’s a “Type and Read” TTY or a “Speak and Read” VCO. (See definition of a VCO below). The PocketComm can be connected to a TTY compatible digital cell phone and cordless phone for TTY communication…and to a payphone, standard phone, and emergency call box for the use of VCO communication.
