Telecommunications Access Iowa (TAI) provides vouchers that pay for up to 95% to 99% of the average cost of specialized telecommunications products.
Specialized equipment is available!
We have many options to meet your needs. Work with your hearing professional, doctor, and equipment vendor to select anything from a volume-control box attached to a telephone, an enhanced amplified telephone, a captioned telephone that displays the text of the conversation so callers can read along, a text telephone (TTY), or wireless devices with special pre-loaded accessibility apps that are specific to an individual’s communication needs, among many other unique devices. In addition to these products, you can also request a separate loud or flashing ringer that will alert you to the ringing of the telephone.
If you are unsure of which equipment will make telephone communication easy for you, visit the Product Types listed below. If you need further assistance to determine what kind of equipment or services would best meet your needs, contact the TAI office or visit our showroom to try out the different kinds of telephone products available. Click here if you wish to see the complete list of approved equipment that we offer. You can visit our virtual showroom to see a sample of products we currently have on display. You can also contact or visit an Equipment Vendor closest to you.
Will the cost of my phone be covered by a voucher?
The Voucher Value can help you estimate the cost of your telephone. You may pay little or no cost for the telephone equipment, depending on the brand and features of the phone. The voucher will cover up to 95% to 99% of the average cost of the equipment.
Voucher Values – A complete list of the voucher values by category
*Any organization or business affiliation with the Telecommunications Access Iowa (TAI) Equipment Vendor Program does not imply any type of endorsement by the TAI program, Deaf Services Unlimited, or the Iowa Utilities Commission.
Selectable slow playback speeds to understand all words along with powerful amplification to increase sound and tone control. If the phone does not have a second jack, a line splitter may be necessary.
Amplified Phone
Basic Amplified Phone
A corded/cordless phone with volume control (amplification) capabilities to adjust the loudness of the other person’s voice. Works well for individuals who have a mild hearing loss. Volume control may adjust up to 35 dB. Receives incoming speech with more clarity. May include memory dial, redial, flash button and more and includes built-in loud and flashing ringer.
Basic Amplified Phone with Headset or Neckloop
Same as the basic amplified phone but includes a headset or neckloop with volume control capabilities. Either headset or neck-loop may be T-coil compatible.
Enhanced Amplified Phone (corded and cordless)
Same as the Basic Amplified Phone but has more powerful amplification and tone control. Some phones have enhancement controls that may eliminate background noise and increase clarity. Some phones include volume control which adjusts up to 65+ dB, tone control, and noise reduction which removes unwanted background noise, memory dial, redial and flash buttons. Cordless phones, which are included in this category and may be amplified up to 65+ dB, are convenient and mobile for use by individuals with hearing loss who enjoy amplification for clear conversations. Some corded and cordless enhanced amplified phones have a speaker, built-in loud/flashing ringers, and a Caller ID display (Caller ID service is available through your telephone company).
Enhanced Amplified Phone with Headset or Neckloop
Same as the Enhanced Amplified Phone but includes a headset or neckloop. Either headset or neckloop may be T-coil compatible.
Adapts your existing standard telephone into an amplified phone so individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss can hear better over the telephone. Provides some amplification through volume control.
Captioned Phone
The captions are displayed on this phone’s built-in screen so the user can read the words through the Captioned Relay Service while listening to the voice of the other party. This phone is amplified up to 40dB. Captions are provided for incoming and outgoing calls. For more information on the Captioned Telephone Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website, www.relayiowa.com. Read more about captioned telephones here.
Alerts Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to the ringing of the telephone either visually (a built-in flashing light or can be connected to a lamp), by a loud ringing tone or both at the same time. A ringer can be connected directly to a phone or jack in a separate room if desired. A ringer can be requested along with a selection of telephone equipment.
Tactile Ringer
Alerts individuals to the ringing of the telephone by a vibrating signal that can be worn on the body. Some tactile ringers come in kits which may include a receiver, transmitter, battery charger, and a dual phone plug.
Text Telephone (TTY)
Transmits and receives typed messages to the TTY/Hearing Carry Over/Voice Carry Over user or to the Relay Service. For more information on the Relay Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website www.RelayIowa.com . There are TTYs with different features; see below for more types of TTYs.
Non-Printing TTY
Has no printer. Portable or compact.
Printing TTY
Has a built-in printer using 2.5 inch paper rolls.
Voice Carry Over (VCO) Phone
Allows the VCO user to receive typed messages through the Relay Service and verbally reply to a caller. For more information on the Relay Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website, www.RelayIowa.com.
VCO with TTY
Phone includes a keyboard that can be used as a TTY and has a microphone attachment or handset for the person to speak directly to the other caller using the Relay Service. It may have a printer to print the text portion of the call.
Voice-Activated Speaker Phone with Adaptive Features
A voice activated phone that allows you to dial pre-programmed numbers and answer calls either using a remote control, voice recognition, or an adaptive switch or mouthpiece as an alternative method to traditional telephone use. It may have some amplification. These phone options are good for people who have some hearing loss, diminished motion control, or other mobility limitations that restrict or prevent standard phone use.
Voice-Activated Speakerphone with Adaptive Features, Accessories
Same as the Voice Activated Speakerphone with Adaptive Features but includes accessory options such as a pillow switch, air switch, lapel microphone (helps those with weak voice), or headset with microphone.
Alerts Deaf and Hard of Hearing individuals to the ringing of the telephone either visually (though a built-in flashing light or a connection to a lamp), by a loud ringing tone or both at the same time. A ringer can be connected directly to a phone or jack in a separate room if desired. A ringer can be requested along with a selection of telephone equipment.
Tactile Ringer
Alerts individuals to the ringing of the telephone by a vibrating signal that can be worn on the body. Some tactile ringers come in kits which may include a receiver, transmitter, battery charger, and a dual phone plug.
Text Telephone (TTY)
Transmits and receives typed messages to the TTY/Hearing Carry Over/Voice Carry Over user or to the Relay Service. For more information on the Relay Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website www.RelayIowa.com . There are TTYs with different features; see below for more types of TTYs.
Non-Printing TTY
Has no printer. Portable or compact.
Printing TTY
Has a built-in printer using 2.5 inch paper rolls.
Voice Carry Over (VCO) Phone
Allows the VCO user to receive typed messages through the Relay Service and verbally reply to a caller. For more information on the Relay Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website, www.RelayIowa.com.
VCO with TTY
Phone includes a keyboard that can be used as a TTY and has a microphone attachment or handset for the person to speak directly to the other caller using the Relay Service. It may have a printer to print the text portion of the call.
The captions are displayed on this phone’s built-in screen so the user can read the words through the Captioned Relay Service while listening to the voice of the other party. This phone is amplified up to 40dB. Captions are provided for incoming and outgoing calls. For more information on the Captioned Telephone Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website, www.relayiowa.com.
Assists individuals who have voice disorders, vocal chord paralysis, or other types of laryngectomy restrictions.
A telephone system combining a standard volume control telephone and an adapted electrolarynx device to assist with speech restrictions.
Hearing Carry Over (HCO) Phone
Assists individuals who can hear, but have difficulty speaking over the phone.
HCO with TTY
Same as the TTY but has a Hearing Carry Over (HCO) attachment for speaker or headset. Will need to use in conjunction with the Relay Service. For more information on the Relay Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website RelayIowa.com. This HCO with TTY may come with a printer to print the text portion of the call.
To be used by individuals with a low volume voice or weak speech. Includes a loudness control switch on the handset, is hearing aid compatible, and may have last number redial button and tone/pulse dialing.
Speech Amplified Phone with Headset or Neckloop
Same as the Speech Amplified Phone but includes a headset or neckloop.
Speech Therapy Device*
The Speech Therapy Device plugs into telephones that have a standard 2.5mm headset jack. This device allows the caller to hear their own voice in both ears and assists in correcting the stuttering effects of communication. The person on the call hears only a normal voice. When adjusted to correct stutterers’ auditory processing underactivity, the device immediately reduces stuttering by approximately 70%, without speech therapy, mental effort, or abnormal sounding speech. The device can also be adjusted to slow down and relax speech motor activity.
*Requires a Special Request. Contact TAI for details.
Text Telephone (TTY)
Transmits and receives typed messages to the TTY/Hearing Carry Over/Voice Carry Over user or to the Relay Service. For more information on the Relay Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website www.RelayIowa.com . There are TTYs with different features; see below for more types of TTYs.
Non-Printing TTY
Has no printer. Portable or compact.
Printing TTY
Has a built-in printer using 2.5 inch paper rolls.
Voice Carry Over (VCO) Phone
Allows the VCO user to receive typed messages through the Relay Service and verbally reply to a caller. For more information on the Relay Service, call Relay Iowa Customer Service at 888-516-4692 or go to the website, www.RelayIowa.com.
VCO with TTY
Phone includes a keyboard that can be used as a TTY and has a microphone attachment or handset for the person to speak directly to the other caller using the Relay Service. It may have a printer to print the text portion of the call.