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How Does Hearing Carry-Over (HCO) Relay Work?

It’s a snap!

Just dial 711 (or 800-735-2962 for English or 888-825-6570 for Spanish) on your text telephone/teletypewriter (TTY) or VCO phone and the relay operator will answer, “Relay North Carolina”.

Type in the area code and telephone number you wish to call and type “GA” (Go Ahead).  The relay operator will dial the number and connect to the other party.

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    Type your message on your TTY or VCO phone to the relay operator.  Remember to type “GA” (Go Ahead) at the end of each message.  The “GA” indicates that it is the other party’s turn to respond.

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    The relay operator reads your typed message aloud to the other party.

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    The other party listens and speaks directly to you.  The other party says “Go Ahead” to indicate that it is your turn to respond.

To conclude the call, type “SK” (“Stop Keying”) to indicate that you are ready to hang up.


Video: How does a Hearing Carry-Over (HCO) call work?

Here’s how an HCO user, Don, communicates with a standard phone user named Dennis at an auto shop.