Maryland Relay Services

TTY (Text Telephone)

The most common way to connect to relay – allowing a person who is deaf or hard of hearing to type their messages and read the other person’s responses.

A TTY (or text telephone) device includes a keyboard for typing and a screen for reading the other person’s responses which are typed by the Operator (OPR) facilitating the relay call.

Voice Carry Over (VCO) is an effective service for people who have hearing loss and use their voice on the phone. VCO users speak directly to the person being called and, through specialized equipment, read what is spoken by the other party.

Hearing Carry Over (HCO)

Hearing Carry Over (HCO) is especially useful for people who can hear, but who regularly or occasionally have difficulty speaking over the phone. HCO users listen directly to the person called and, through specialized equipment, type their responses to the other party.

DeafBlind Service (DBS)

DeafBlind Service (DBS) allows people with combined hearing and vision loss to place and receive telephone calls. DBS users type their messages and read the other person’s responses, typed by the Operator (OPR), on a braille display.

Speech-to-Speech (STS)

Speech-to-Speech (STS) is especially useful for people who have difficulty speaking or being understood on the telephone. STS involves a specially trained Operator (OPR) who is familiar with the speech patterns of a wide variety of individuals who have difficulty being understood.

CapTel® (Captioned Telephone)

Captioned Telephone (CapTel) is useful for individuals who have some amount of hearing loss, making it difficult to understand what is being said over the phone. With CapTel, users speak directly to the other party and listen while reading captions of what’s said to them. Captions appear on the bright, built-in display screen of the uniquely designed CapTel phone, just moments after the other party has spoken.

Voice

Hamilton Relay allows standard phone users to communicate with individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, DeafBlind or have difficulty speaking and who may use a TTY, TeleBraille or other assistive telecommunications device.

When you place a call through Hamilton Relay, your side of the conversation is typed by the Operator (OPR) and “relayed” to the person you are calling. The OPR then voices typed responses from that person for you to hear. It’s a simple, easy and effective way to communicate with family, friends and others who are important to you.

Spanish Relay

Spanish Relay is available for all Relay calling options offered in your state. Spanish and English translations are available in select states. Contact Customer Care to find out if your state offers translation services.

RCC (Relay Conference Captioning)

Relay Conference Captioning (RCC) offers real-time captioning through the use of Communication Access Realtime Translation (CART) service, allowing individuals who have difficulty hearing what’s being said over the phone during conference calls to read text of what all participants are saying. This service provides a clear understanding of what’s said and allows the individual with hearing loss to participate in conference calls in a more effective manner.