CapTel
Search

About CapTel

WebCapTel

Customer Service

CapTel + 911

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.

Back to top

How does CapTel work?

The user dials the number of the person they wish to call on the CapTel phone. The call is transparently connected to a service that provides the captioning. At the CapTelSM service center, a specially trained operator uses the latest in voice-recognition technology to transcribe whatever is said by the other party. The voice recognition system transcribes the operator's voice into text captions, which are bundled with the speaking party's actual voice and sent down the telephone line to the CapTel phone. When the CapTel phone receives this combined information, the voice and text are split so that the voice goes to the earpiece of the phone and the captions go to the display screen. More about how CapTel works.

Back to top

How do I get captions on my phone calls?

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.

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

Back to top

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.

Back to top

What equipment do I need?

  1. A CapTel telephone (available free or at a greatly reduced cost in many states).
  2. Your state must offer CapTel service as part of its Relay Service (see list).

Back to top

Telephone Line Requirements:

CapTel 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 telepone 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 analog filter is installed between the phone jack and the CapTel. Inline filters are commonly available from the DSL provider.

Back to top

What is 2-Line CapTel?

In addition to standard mode (which uses just one telephone line), CapTel 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

Back to top

Is CapTel service available/planned for in my state?

CapTel service is available in the vast majority of states, with additional states planning to add CapTel service throughout the year. CapTel service is available nationwide to active Federal employees. If your state does not yet offer CapTel service, please contact CapTel Customer Service to find out more about availability.
States that offer CapTel service

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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.

Back to top

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).

Back to top

What does the message, "NEW FCC RULE - Long distance calls will now be billed" mean?

Effective January 12, 2006, a new regulation by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) requires that any long distance charges associated with TRS calls, including CapTel calls, must be billed to the caller. This means, if you make a long distance captioned call on your CapTel phone (or if you are calling a CapTel user and the call is long distance), any long distance charges will be billed to your local telephone number. More information...

Back to top

How can I find out more about CapTel?

Please email us at: CapTel@CapTelMail.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.

Back to top

CapTel in Action!

Learn more about CapTel with this introductory video you can view online.

Where do you live?

Find CapTel near you:


"CapTel makes a world of difference over the phone."
-J. Meisenbacher, Arkansas

Contact Us

(800) 233-9130


to order

(888)269-7477


customer service

(866)670-9134


espaņol

Send Email


email