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I have equipment, but how do I use it?
What is a TTY (text telephone)?
Looking much like a typewriter keypad with a text screen, a TTY allows a deaf, hard-of-hearing or speech-disabled
person to make a telephone call. The conversation is read on a lighted display screen and/or a paper printout on
the TTY. Persons using a TTY may call any standard phone user by placing the call through Maryland Relay, or they
may call another TTY user directly.
Customer Profile
Maryland Relay has developed an individual Customer Profile
to ensure that your call preferences are used on each Maryland Relay call you make or receive. In order to customize
the profile to fit your personal needs, please read the Maryland Relay Guide to Understanding Your Customer Profile.
Click here or click on the image below for a free Adobe Reader 7.0.9 download.
Download the Customer Profile Guide.
I am ready to set up my Customer Profile.
Maryland Relay is free to use
Maryland Relay is a public service. Users pay no set-up charges or fees for local calls, and there is no limit on the
number or length of calls a user may make. Maryland Relay accepts direct dial, collect, person-to-person, Maryland
telephone company calling cards, and any participating long distance company calls. These calls will be billed at the
carrier's designated rates. If no preferred carrier is named by the Relay user,
long distance and international calls will be billed
by Maryland Relay's provider at a discounted rate.
Maryland Relay Operators
Maryland Relay Operators follow a strict code of confidentiality and ethics. Maryland Relay Operators are integral
to the success of Maryland Relay. They maintain strict confidentiality regarding the conversations of Maryland Relay
users, and none of the conversations are divulged. Operators become a "human telephone wire," and will not participate
in conversations for any reason. To ensure equal access, Operators will type everything they hear, including background
noises and voice intonations.
Types of Relay Calls
VCO (Voice Carry-Over)
VCO (Voice Carry-Over) is an option for people with hearing loss significant enough to prevent them from hearing and
understanding conversations clearly through the phone. Using VCO and a specially designed telephone with a text screen,
a VCO user can speak directly to the other person. As the other person speaks, the Relay Operator types back the words
that are being said. To request VCO, dial 1-888-VCO-WORD or 1-888-826-9673.
For more information on how to use VCO and equipment needed, click here.
HCO (Hearing Carry-Over)
HCO (Hearing Carry-Over) is provided for people with speech disabilities. The speech-disabled person types his or her
side of the telephone conversation on a TTY and the Relay Operator voices what is typed to the other person. The HCO
user then listens as the other person speaks. To use HCO, dial 1-800-735-2258.
For more information on how to use HCO and equipment needed, click here.
Speech-to-Speech
STS (Speech-To-Speech) is an option for people with a mild to moderate speech disability. Their words are re-voiced
to the other person by a specially trained Maryland Relay Operator.
For more information on how to use STS, click here.
Internet Protocol Relay
Internet Protocol Relay provides a new way for Telecommunications Relay Services (TRS) customers to make relay calls,
via the Internet, instead of the public switched telephone network. Internet Protocol Relay, allows you to access
the relay via your computer, web phone, personal digital assistant, or any other Internet capable device through
your Internet Service Provider ('ISP'). By pointing your web browser to the Internet Relay button at www.mdrelay.org
you will be able to access the relay operator and place a relay call to a standard phone user pursuant to the terms
and stated.
For more information on Internet Protocol, click here.
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