Vicki Thompson
Sean Furman
AzTEDP Program Planner
Deaf Specialist
V.Thompson@acdhh.az.gov
S.Furman@acdhh.az.gov
1-866-223-3412
602-542-3365 v/tty
602-888-0720 VP
Assistive Technology
for the Deaf and the
Hard of Hearing:
The Magic of AT and
the Realities of IT for
Persons who are Deaf
or Hard of Hearing…
Technology for Deaf Users Utilizing
American Sign Language
Hardware
VideoPhone (nTouch, Smart VP, etc)
iPad
Laptop
Smart Phones
Amplified Phone
Captioned Phone
Software
Purple, Sorenson, Z VRS, Convo,
Skype, FaceTime, and many more….
Video Relay Service vs. Video Remote Interpreting
All can be used for VRS and/or VRI
Requires hardware device to use the software
Not provided by VRS companies
Software
Purple, Sorenson, Z VRS, Convo,
Skype, FaceTime, and many more….
Video Relay Service vs. Video Remote Interpreting
All can be used for VRS and/or VRI
Requires hardware device to use the software
Not provided by VRS companies
Hardware VideoPhone used for VRS and VRI
Broadband Internet
Dedicated line?
Not connectable with Wifi
Need Modem / Router / Cable
At least 1 to 10 megabyte per sec (mbps)
Using VideoPhone via mobile device
Can connect to Wifi
Uses VRS software
Video Conferencing Software
4G capabilitiy
LTE (Long Term Evolution)
3 bars or higher for signal strength
a. Deaf Apps
a. IP Relay
b. Convo Video Relay Service
c. Purple P3 Mobile Video Relay Service
d. Sorenson nTouch Video Relay Service
e. ZVRS/Z5 Mobile Video Relay Service
f. ooVoo
g. Dream Voice
h. Hamilton Captel
i. Wireless Captel by Sprint
j. ClearCaptions
k. Active Print Lite
l. Airwatch Agent (included in TeltexCare)
m. App City Life
n. Chrome
o. Free WiFi Finder
p. Notebook Free
q. Skype
r. Convo Mobile
s. Sorenson VRS
t. Sorenson nTouch
u. Z Mobile
Technology for Hard of
Hearing Users
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Challenges of Telephone Use
• For many people with a hearing loss, understanding
speech over a telephone may be difficult due to
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
–
Lack of visual cues
Difficulty coupling to a hearing aid or cochlear implant
Feedback
Insufficient volume
Rapid speakers
Hearing out of only one ear on the phone
Noise in the environment
Phone compatibility
EM interference when using the telecoil
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Amplified Induction Neckloop
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
T-Coil ?
(AKA: Telecoils, T-Switches) –
Perhaps you’re not sure.
If you are not sure if your hearing aids
have a MANUAL T-Coil setting,
please check with your Hearing Health
Professional. Many times, they can be
installed for a nominal fee.
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Hardwired Listening System as
Phone Amplifier
• Comfort Audio
Duett New
Personal Listener
Telephone Kit
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Assistive Technology for
the Hard of Hearing
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Telecommunication Devices
There are a variety of hearing assistive devices for the phone
For people who understand fairly well on the phone but just need
more volume, auditory devices will help
◦
◦
◦
◦
Amplified telephones
Cordless amplified phones
In-line amplifiers
Amplified headsets
For people who hear but have difficulty understanding speech on the phone,
non-auditory devices can provide captions to supplement hearing
◦ Captioned phones and services
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
In-line amplifiers
 Connects between the base of the
phone and the handset of the
phone
 Telephone’s signal processing
must occur prior to the
amplification provided by the
auxiliary amplifier
 Will NOT work with cordless or
phones with the dial pad in the
handset of the phone
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Strap-on amplifiers
• Advantages:
– Very portable
– Will work with any phone
including cordless
phones
• Disadvantages
– Have to place and
remove with each phone
call
– Only battery operated
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
•Corded vs. cordless
• Usually for residential use only
•Degree of amplification varies
• 20-55 dB
•Features vary among products
• Adjustable volume and/or tone
• Adjustable ringer loudness/pitch
• Audio output to connect neckloop
• Visual signal indicators
• Call waiting
• Caller ID
• Memory dial buttons
• Built-in answering machine
• Speakerphone
• Bluetooth-enabled
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
ACDHH has Free Telephones, TTY’s, Alerting
Devices & Speech Devices
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Application for AzTEDP







Application form signed by professional
Conditions of Acceptance
Proof of AZ residency – Driver’s license, etc.
Proof of legal US residency and identity (2009)
Proof of name change IF that applies to
consumer
Citizenship form
(CapTel Supplement if chosen)
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Phone Communication Tips
•
•
•
•
•
Do not have anything in your mouth
Speak clearly, at a moderate pace
Do not use your speakerphone
Turn off any background sounds
If the person does not understand you, rephrase the
sentence
• Inform the listener when changing the subject
• Check for understanding of vital facts (do not use
yes/no questions, but instead ask content-context
questions)
• If they have trouble hearing, suggest our free phone
program
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
What is Bluetooth?
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Why is it called Bluetooth?
Named after the 10th Century Danish Viking king, Harald
Blåtand known for his unification of warring tribes from
Denmark including Skåne (present day Sweden)
◦
Blåtand translated into English means “Bluetooth”
Selected by Bluetooth developers originally as a code name
for the project but it stuck as the official name
Like its namesake, Bluetooth is intended to unify the many
electronic devices marketed by the telecommunication and
computing industries
BT symbol verifies device is BT-enabled
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Bluetooth Communication
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Bluetooth hub
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
When All This Isn’t Enough
• Captioned options
• If a captioned method is really, truly an option to
explore…..
• Does the person have internet in their home?
• If so, we refer them to the FEDERAL program. 840i
(internet)
• If NOT……..here is the reality………with the AzTEDP
landline only unit. (840)
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
AzTEDP provides the 840
Captions will only show up on incoming calls
where the caller honors this method.
Good LUCK getting people to do that. Most calls
will NOT be captioned due to this extra step.
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
• Offered free with certifying
professional signature.
• Captioning delay
• No answering machine
• Captions on 100% of calls
• Requires internet and landline
phone service.
• AzTEDP can demonstrate it.
• AzTEDP does NOT provide it.
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
• 840i is offered free by
with certifying
professional signature.
• Captioning d-e-l-a-y
• Has answering machine
• Captions on 100% of calls
• Requires internet and landline
phone service.
• AzTEDP can demonstrate it.
• AzTEDP does NOT provide it.
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Clarity Ensemble
•
•
•
•
•
Purchase required
Captioning delay
Has answering machine
Captions on 100% of calls
Requires internet and landline
phone service.
• AzTEDP can demonstrate it.
• AzTEDP does NOT provide it.
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
A word of caution about
captioned phones
• It is time to stop saying “huh”, “what” and “could you repeat that”.
Instead:
• “Just a moment while I read what you are saying. Your patience is
appreciated.”
• “Hang on a minute while I read what you are saying on my special
phone.”
• “I can’t listen as fast as you talk, so I read what you say on my
captioned phone. Bear with me, it will take a moment for me to
respond.”
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Mobile Captioned Telephone
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
More APPS!!!!
a. Hard of Hearing Apps
a. IP Relay
b. ooVoo
c. Skype
d. Voice Dream
e. Hamilton Captel
f. Wireless Captel by Sprint
g. ClearCaptions
h. Convo Video Relay Service
i. Purple P3 Mobile Video Relay Service
j. Sorenson nTouch Video Relay Service
k. ZVRS/Z5 Mobile Video Relay Service
l. Active Print Lite Airwatch Agent
m. included in TeltexCare)
n. App City Life
o. Chrome
p. Free WiFi Finder
q. Notebook Free
r. Convo Mobile
s. Sorenson ntouch
t. Z Mobile
u. Sorenson Video Relay Service
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Thank You!
Questions?????
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
Vicki Thompson
Sean Furman
AzTEDP Program Planner
Deaf Specialist
V.Thompson@acdhh.az.gov
S.Furman@acdhh.az.gov
1-866-223-3412
602-542-3365 v/tty
602-888-0720 VP
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014
16th Annual Assistive Technology Summer Institute; July 20 - 22, 2014