TTY Meaning and
Definition
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TTY stands for Teletypewriter. It is a term that is commonly used to refer to a device used by individuals who have hearing or speech impairments to communicate over the telephone. A TTY is a specialized device that allows communication through text-based communication instead of traditional voice-based communication.
The TTY device consists of a keyboard for inputting text and a small screen for displaying the incoming messages. When using a TTY, individuals type in their messages which are then transmitted via a telephone line to the receiving TTY device. The receiving TTY device prints out the typed message on its screen. This way, individuals who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have speech disabilities can communicate with others by reading and typing text messages.
TTY devices are often used in conjunction with a relay service, which is a service that facilitates communication between a TTY user and a voice telephone user. The relay service operator acts as a facilitator, reading out the typed messages to the voice telephone user and typing out the voice user's responses for the TTY user.
In recent years, TTY devices have been largely replaced by more modern technologies such as text messaging, video relay services, and other internet-based communication methods. However, the term TTY is still used to refer to these newer technologies in some contexts, highlighting the importance of accessible communication for individuals with hearing or speech impairments.
Common Misspellings for TTY
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