| Evaluation instructions |
Source |
| Hardware |
Input/controls |
Verify that the user can turn the microphone ON/OFF to intermix speech with TTY use. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.51(d)] |
| Verify that TTY functionality is provided or that a standard non-acoustic connection point for TTYs is provided (e.g., RJ-11 jack) by inspecting the control options for the device. |
EITAAC, 1999;Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.51(d)] |
| Verify that the product contains a built-in inductive loop by inspecting the internal construction of the product. |
|
| Verify that the product supports use of cross-manufacturer non-proprietary standard signals used by TTYs. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.51(e)] |
| Verify that microphones have a muting function. |
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| Test microphone sensitivity and verify that it is adjustable within a range of ± 9-10 dB. |
|
| Inspect the mounting of microphones and verify that the effects of the echo, sound, and reverberation from the expected usage environment have been minimized. |
|
| Output/displays |
Verify that, when product delivers audio output through an external speaker, an industry standard connector for headphones or personal listening devices (e.g., phone-like handset or ear cup) is provided which cuts off the speaker when used. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(g)] |
| Verify that spoken messages automatically repeat or that the hardware has a mechanism for requesting their repetition. |
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| Verify that reduction of audio interference with hearing technologies is possible (to the lowest possible level where the product may still be utilized). |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(h), Advisory Guidance] |
| Verify that hardware volume can be adjusted (dynamic range is 18-25 dB), and that the volume indicator is visual and easily located. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)(2)(a), Advisory Guidance] |
| Determine whether there are any connection points for external devices. Verify that existing connection points for external audio processing devices have industry standard connectors. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.51(b)] |
| Determine whether there are any connection points for external devices. Verify that existing connection points for external audio processing devices provide auditory signal at standard signal level. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.51(b)] |
| Inspect the device. Verify that connection points exist for external audio processing devices (for customer premises equipment). |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.51(b)] |
| Verify that auditory information is presented continuously or periodically until the desired message is confirmed or acted upon. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)(2)(d), Advisory Guidance] |
| Inspect the device for a method of adjusting volume. Verify that at least one mode of operation enhances auditory functioning via increased amplification or increased signal-to-noise ratio or combination. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)] |
| Use a sound meter to inspect volume control increments and verify that the maximum volume is 97 dB SPL (sound pressure level) or greater and at least one intermediate step of 12 dB gain is provided. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)] |
| Test sound quality throughout the range of volume and inspect the coupling (speaker output) between the signal source and the user in order to verify that sound is intelligible at all volumes. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)(2)(a), Advisory Guidance] |
| Shutdown and restart machine. Test volume settings after shutdown and verify that volume settings exceeding 120 dB SPL automatically reset to a safer volume after every use. |
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| Modify volume settings. Turn off main power and restart the machine. Review volume settings after restarting the hardware and verify that volume settings are maintained after the machine has been shut down. |
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| Inspect the impact of hardware noise on the acquisition of auditory information and verify that it has been minimized. |
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| Inspect the frequency composition of all hardware sounds and verify that the product uses sounds that have strong mid- to low-frequency (500-3000 Hz) components. |
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| If a headphone jack is provided, inspect volume control using headphones and verify that there is separate volume control and volume cut-off switch in the headphone jack. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(g)(2), Advisory Guidance] |
| If a headphone is provided, inspect each side of the device and verify that a headphone jack is provided and efficiently located (a 9-mm miniature plug-in jack is recommended). |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)(2)(f), Advisory Guidance] |
| If a headphone jack is not possible, verify that sound sources are placed in front of the device and away from loud mechanisms. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)(2)(e), Advisory Guidance] |
| Identify when beep signals occur. Verify that beep signals contrast with expected environmental sounds. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)(2)(b), Advisory Guidance] |
| Identify all types of audio output and measure pitch for each. If pitch cannot be selected by the user, verify that high pitch sounds ( > 4,500 Hz) are not used. |
EITACC, 1999 |
| Verify that a gain adjustable up to a minimum of 20DB is provided for transmitted voice signals. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)] |
| Verify that television displays are 13" or larger and computer equipment that includes TV receiver circuitry are equipped with caption decoder circuitry which receives and properly decodes and displays closed captions from broadcast, cable, videotape, and DVD signals. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that monitors less than 13" or monitors not equipped with built-in tuners are equipped with separate closed caption decoders that comply with EIA-608. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that individuals using TTYs can use all voice mail, auto-attendant, interactive voice response systems, and special services (e.g., automatic # id, automatic location id) without additional assistive devices by testing product functions with users who use a TTY. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that individuals using TTYs can conduct conversations with mixed voice and TTY and control all aspects of the product, by testing product functions with users who use a TTY. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that if a telephone handcup or ear cup is used that it is compatible with hearing aids by testing the intelligibility of the signal with users who have a hearing aid. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(e)(2)(f), Advisory Guidance] |
| Verify that for phones the tones used can travel through the compression circuits undistorted (particularly in the range of 390-2300 Hz) by testing it with users who use a TTY. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.51(e)(3), Advisory Guidance] |
| Verify that digital TV displays contain decoder circuitry as defined in EIA-708-A and can receive and properly decode closed captions from digital TV and from compatible auxiliary video sources. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that digital television displays are equipped with ancillary audio playback capabilities as defined by the Advanced Television Systems Committee. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that analog TV displays are equipped with Secondary Audio Program Playback circuitry as defined by the Multi-channel Television Sound specification. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that analog TV displays and receivers in computer components comply with FCC Part 15 rules regarding specifications for TV receivers. |
EITAAC, 1999 |
| Verify that a means is provided for effective wireless coupling to hearing aids. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(i)] |
| If TTY is used, verify that the product provides interactive communication using speech and video (i.e., a method and channel for allowing non-speech like text conversation), in parallel with the video. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(d)(2)(e), Advisory Guidance] |
| If the product is a telephone, verify that it has built-in telecoil compatibility or some other means of providing the necessary electromagnetic signal by testing it with users who use a T-coil. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(i)(4), Advisory Guidance] |
| Manipulations |
Verify that additional visual or tactile cues are used when auditory cues are used to attract a users attention to product alerts/messages. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(d)(2)(a), Advisory Guidance] |
| If a built-in tactile cue is not readily achievable, verify that an auxiliary vibrating signaler has been provided. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.43(d)(2)(b), Advisory Guidance] |
| Software |
|
Verify that, if an automated voice response system is used, then an automated TTY response system is also used. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.33(b)(2)] |
| Verify that software volume is adjustable and that software sounds are customizable. |
Microsoft, 1999 |
| Test volume and sound settings after the application has been closed and verify that customized settings are maintained after shutdown. |
Microsoft, 1999 |
| Websites |
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Verify that text transcriptions/descriptions for all audio output are provided. |
Section 255, Telecommunications Act [1193.33(17)(b), Advisory Guidance] |
| Test the website with the audio turned off and verify that captions or transcripts of important audio content are provided and useful. |
University of Washington, 2000 |