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Frequently Asked Questions

 

What is the Captioned Telephone (CapTel)?

Captioned Telephone (or CapTel for short) is a new telephone technology that allows people to receive word-for-word captions of their telephone conversations. It is similar in concept to Captioned Television, where spoken words appear as written text for viewers to read. The CapTel phone looks and works like any traditional phone, with callers talking and listening to each other, but with one very significant difference: Captions are provided live for every phone call. The captions are displayed on the phone's built-in screen so the user can read the words while listening to the voice of the other party. If the CapTel phone user has difficulty hearing what the caller says, he can read the captions for clarification.

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How does CapTel 800 work?

The user dials the number of the person they wish to call on the CapTel 800 phone. The call is transparently connected over the phone line to a service that provides the captions. At the Captioning Service, a specially-trained operator uses voice-recognition technology to transcribe whatever is said by the other party. The captions appear on the CapTel 800 display screen. User can hear the other party, plus read the captions to be certain of what is said. More about how CapTel 800 works.

NOTE: The CapTel 800 phone does not generate captions of the phone call on its own. The phone works with the Captioning Service (over the telephone line) to display captions during your calls.

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How does CapTel 800i work?

The CapTel 800i connects to both your telephone service and to your Internet service. Every time you make a telephone call, the phone automatically connects to a free Captioning Service over the Internet. An operator at the Captioning Service uses voice recognition technology to generate captions of everything your caller says, and sends the captions back to your CapTel 800i phone. You can enjoy conversations over the phone with the added help of written captions in case you miss anything. More about CapTel 800i

NOTE: The CapTel 800i phone does not generate captions of the phone call on its own. The phone works with the Captioning Service (over the Internet) to display captions during your calls.

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How do I get captions on my phone calls?

With CapTel 800:

During outgoing calls (calls you place) the captioning service is connected automatically to provide captions. Make sure that the caption button is depressed and the light above the button is on. Then you just dial the phone number of the person you want to call, and the call will be captioned.

The way you get captions on incoming calls (calls you receive) depends on if you are using CapTel in 1-Line mode or 2-Line mode:

With 1-Line CapTel: To get captions on your incoming calls, your caller must first dial the toll free number for the Captioning Service and then enter your phone number. You will get captions during any call that is placed through the captioning service. If your caller dials you directly, the call will not be captioned. "Call Me" cards that list the toll free captioning service number are included with the CapTel phone. You can give the "Call Me" cards to people who call frequently. You can also customize, download and print Call Me cards.

With 2-Line CapTel: If you are using 2-Line CapTel, you simply press the caption button at any point in a conversation to get captions. Your callers dial your number directly to reach you, they don't need to dial the captioning service first.
More about 2-Line CapTel

With CapTel 800i:

Every call - incoming or outgoing - automatically connects to the Captioning Service over the Internet, so you see captions on the CapTel 800i display screen. To turn captions off, just press the CAPTIONS button. More about how CapTel 800i works

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Can I get captions on my current telephone?

No. The Captioned Telephone requires a customized, built-in display screen to show the captions properly together with highly sophisticated electronics and software to handle both the voice and text. Captions cannot be displayed on a regular telephone.

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What equipment do I need to use CapTel 800?

  1. A CapTel 800 telephone (available at a reduced cost to qualified users in many states).
  2. Your state must offer CapTel service as part of its Relay Service (see states that provide CapTel service).
  3. Analog telephone line(s). DSL supported if appropriate filter in place. Not compatible with PBX systems unless analog port available. Not designed for use with digital cable, VOIP or cellular telephone services.
  4. Standard electrical power (AC adapter plugs into standard wall outlet).

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What equipment do I need to use CapTel 800i?

  1. High-speed Internet access (broadband or digital cable service, not dialup).
  2. Landline telephone service (can be standard analog-POTS, VOIP, cable telephone service, FIOS). Not compatible with digital PBX systems found in offices or some residential facilities (unless an analog port is available)..
  3. Standard electrical power
  4. Router - depending on your Internet set up, a Router may also be required to connect more than one device to your Internet service.

NOTE: All the connection outlets (telephone, Internet, and power) should be located close to each other in the room where you want to use the CapTel 800i. If outlets are located in separate rooms, a network power adapter is available (at an extra cost) to help connect the CapTel 800i. Installation help is available.

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For CapTel 800:
CapTel 800 requires connection to a standard analog telephone line (or analog port), such as is commonly found in households. You cannot connect CapTel to a digital telephone line (as is sometimes found in offices) or to any other non-analog telephone line. Users in an office environment should check with their telephone administrator to make sure an analog port is available. DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) users can connect a CapTel phone if the appropriate inline DSL filter is installed between the phone jack and the CapTel. Inline filters are commonly available from the DSL provider. EXCEPTION: If you use CapTel 800 in 2-Line mode, you may use telephone services other than analog (such as VoIP) for Line 1 only. See 2-Line CapTel for details.

For CapTel 800i:
CapTel 800i connects to a telephone cord using a standard RJ11 connection. Your telephone service can be:

CapTel 800i does NOT work with digital Private Branch Exchange (PBX) phone systems found in some business settings, residential facilities, and hotels, unless an analog port is available in the PBX system.

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What is 2-Line CapTel?

In addition to standard mode (which uses just one telephone line), the CapTel 800 can be used in 2-line mode, which requires two separate telephone lines. With 2-line CapTel, you can turn captions on or off at any point during the call. Callers can dial your phone number directly, instead of calling through the Captioning Service first, and you will still receive captions throughout the call. 2-Line CapTel also allows users to enjoy advanced phone features they may have purchased, such as Call Waiting, while still receiving captions. More about 2-Line CapTel

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Is CapTel service available/planned for in my state?

CapTel 800 users: Captioning Service is available in almost every state, and available nationwide to active Federal employees. States that offer CapTel service.

CapTel 800i users: Captioning Service is available nationwide.

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How much does CapTel cost?

In many states, CapTel equipment is provided free or at a reduced rate to people with hearing loss. So the price for a CapTel phone may vary from state to state. Please check the specifics of your state here. There is no cost for using the CapTel captioning service, it is provided free as part of your state's relay service.

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Where can I get a CapTel phone?

CapTel equipment is available from your state's equipment distribution program or for purchase directly. Please check here for local contacts in your state to acquire a CapTel phone.

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How does Captioned Telephone compare to Voice Carry Over (VCO)?

CapTel phone users can simultaneously hear the voice over the phone and read captions of what is said. Current VCO technology allows only voice or text on the line at one time and does not allow the VCO user to hear the voice of the other party.

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How does the Captioned Telephone compare to two-line VCO?

Captioned Telephone is similar to two-line VCO in that users get the benefit of both voice and text. However, Captioned Telephone uses only one telephone line instead of requiring two, the captions appear at a much faster speed — nearly simultaneously with the spoken words (instead of significantly slower than the speaker). It is far less complicated and cumbersome, and CapTel uses only one device (a CapTel phone) instead of two (a TTY and a Telephone).

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How can I find out more about CapTel?

Please email us at: CapTel@CapTel.com and provide us with your name and address. You are also encouraged to check back at this site from time to time, where new information will be posted as it becomes available.

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What is the difference between the CapTel 800 and the CapTel 800i?

There are two main differences:

  1. CapTel 800i is for people with high-speed Internet access / CapTel 800 is for people who do not have high-speed Internet access.
  2. With CapTel 800i, people call your phone number directly and you get captions. / With CapTel 800, callers need to dial the captioning service first and enter your phone number in order for you to get captions*.

Apart from the differences listed above, the two phones are nearly identical. They look the same and have most of the same features.

* If you use CapTel 800 in 2-Line mode (optional), people can call your number directly, they do not have to dial the service first. Learn more.

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I have VOIP phone lines - can I use CapTel?

You can use CapTel 800i with VOIP phone service (you also need high-speed Internet access).

You cannot use CapTel 800 with VOIP phone service if you are using CapTel 800 in 1-Line mode. The one telephone line must be analog.

If you use CapTel 800 in 2-Line mode, you can use VOIP phone service for Line 1. Line 2 must be analog.

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Why CapTel?


CapTel users share their thoughts.

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State Programs


Select your state for special programs to get a CapTel phone in your area. Select state:

"I love this phone. It's like gaining part of my independence."
-J. Walls, North Carolina

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