The Flip Side of the Phone
October 14th, 2008, 11:30 am · 5 Comments · posted by Hana
- Relay Service Using VideoPhone
I’ve been wondering lately what it’s like for the hearing person on their side when they communicate with someone who is deaf. What is it like for you to be on the phone with a relay operator?
For example, my husband doesn’t like using the relay to communicate with me because no matter what, there’s still a third person. There’s a third person listening and speaking, and for some people that is just hard to take. “You don’t have a male voice.” “My wife doesn’t sound like that lady relay operator.”
Some friends don’t like hearing a stranger speak so familiarly with them on the phone, but understand that it may be the only way to communicate with me on the phone. Most of my friends actually text or Instant Message me instead, bypassing the third person and communicating directly with me. We haven’t really discussed feelings of the relay service because to me, it’s part of life for now until something changes down the road.
Mind sharing?
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I prefer direct communication whenever possible, regardless of mode (voice, text, and/or video). However, I also receive and accept calls made through any type of relay service. Compared to text-based relay services, that sometimes require a lot of patience for turn-taking and typing speeds, I am in love with VRS. Text-based relay calls cannot compare to the speed and fluidity of VRS calls. Gender differences between the interpreter and caller do not bother me at all. I appreciate fully when the inflection of the VRS interpreter’s voice reflects the emotion and nuances conveyed through sign language . . . something that does not come through with text-based communication. I appreciate the service that relay operators and interpreters provide to enable the receipt and delivery of communication by phone . . . even when the communication is personal. If I did not have the relay service, I would not have the communication at all, especially when direct communication is not possible.
My late mother always preferred to use the TDD to talk to me, rather than using a relay interpreter. Even though it was tiring to sit so long and watch a tiny screen, it was preferred because it was direct communication.
On the other hand, a relative enjoys using video interpreting in Spanish to talk to his sisters in the old country and they all consider it a blessing. To each their own preferences.
I have only received two Relay calls. It’s not easy to get used to the pauses - more awkward than a normal “awkward silence”, because you don’t know when the operator is signing, and you should wait, or the other person is signing and you should wait….
It would be handy to have an indicator, like Instant Messaging-
‘Relay Operator is Signing” , “Caller is Signing”.
But it is a lot easier to clear up details if something is not understood correctly. In my job, if something takes more than two emails to clarify, I follow up with a phone call.
If I knew how to make a Relay call to someone who is deaf, I would probably do the same.
Oh boy, Bill, that does sound awkward. That has happened sometimes with my calls to a hearing person. The hearing person goes quiet then asks if it’s his/her turn! I would wonder what’s wrong.
So Bill, you’ve never made a Relay call? It’s easy, I think. If the deaf person has his/her own Relay number, he/she should give it to you and you can use that number to call the relay who will then relay to the deaf person. If you don’t have their relay number, you can use a general relay number for hearing people to call for communicating with a deaf/hard of hearing person. All Relay services provide a general number for calling. If I were you, I would look at a favorite Relay service or one I’m familiar with, and use their general number for calling a Deaf/HH person.
E-mail me if you want to discuss more. I’ll be happy to share.
Did you ever thought of VCO?? i used the vco means i speak directly to families and friends.. the operator doesnt do the talking.. i do.. i am much more happier being independant and so is my family..
both my adult sons said in the past before VCO was created .. hated listiing to the “Dead” emotionless voices!!