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TTY

TTY

1 8.5
A device that lets deaf or hard-of-hearing people type text over phone lines
  • noun
  • /ˈtiːˈtiːˈwaɪ/
  • Specialized
translation icon : TTY
  • Disaster assistance applicants who have a speech disability or hearing loss and use TTY should call 1-800-462-7585 directly; for those who use 711 or Video Relay Service (VRS), call 1-800-621-3362.
  • 1-800 TTY

Examples

  • If you are deaf or hard of hearing, you can communicate with our customer service using the TTY device.

  • Call the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline at 1-800-273-8255 (TTY: 1-800-799-4TTY).

    Blog text (23)
  • I have been looking into a TTY device that I am going to get for the house.

    Blog text (23)
  • The TTY line for people with speech or hearing disabilities is 1-800-462-7585.

    Blog text (23)
  • Hearing and speech-impaired customers with TTY equipment can use the dedicated line at 1-888-321-MINT (6468).

    Blog text (17)
  • Explore Medicare.gov or call 1-800-MEDICARE (TTY users should call 1-877-486-2048), 24 hours a day, seven days a week, for more information about the Medicare program.

    Blog text (17)
  • Students with hearing challenges benefit from various assistive listening devices, captioning features, and text telephone (TTY) or telecommunication devices for the deaf (TDD).

    Academic text (2004)
  • As soon as possible, register for assistance by calling FEMA's toll-free number, 1-800-621-FEMA (3362) or TTY, 1-800-462-7585 for the speech or hearing impaired.

    Blog text (26)
  • Organizations often provide a TTY number so that deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals can contact them easily.

  • The TTY allows users to type messages over the phone line, facilitating communication with those who cannot hear.

Synonyms

teletype
vsTTY
  • Archaic
4 8.4

A machine that sends and prints typed messages over long distances

is meant for people with hearing loss to type over phone lines
teletypewriter
vsTTY
  • Archaic
8.8

A machine like a typewriter that prints messages sent over wires

is used to let deaf or hard of hearing people type over phone lines

Surface Forms

TTY singular
TTYs plural

Etymology

TTY comes from teletypewriter, a 'typewriter for far away messages' that worked over phone lines, and because of this a TTY device lets deaf or hard-of-hearing people type and send messages over the telephone.