1) Where can I view my captions? I am hard of hearing. I can still hear, but the extra help from the captions would be very helpful.
A) Yes. We aim to alleviate frustrations on the phone by provide text captions of your phone calls. You can use the web to view your captions, or, a Cisco IP Phone, or a BlackBerry Device.

2) I am profoundly deaf with no speaking capacity. Can I benefit from PhoneCaption?
A) PhoneCaption caters to individuals who have hearing loss or are hard of hearing. It enables you to read the captions of the other party’s voice, but you need to speak back to them.  If, however, you are deaf and use American Sign Language (ASL), let me suggest our Video Relay Service, americanVRS. Please go to www.americanVRS.com for more information.

3) I tried to register but it wouldn’t process because my e-mail address already exist. What do I do now?
A) If you are already registered, then all you need to do is Login. Your Login is the number you included during registration. So, it’s probably your home, cell phone, or work number. If you forgot your password, click “Forgot My Password” and it will be sent to your email automatically.  Try logging in with the number you provided during registration, and clicking the “Forgot My Password” option. After you receive your password via email, try logging in.

4) What is the difference between the number I sign up with and the PhoneCaption number I am provided with by you?
A) The number you sign up with is your User ID. This can be your cell phone, your home phone, or your work phone, whichever phone you will be predominantly using to make and receive from. This is the number that rings when people call the number we provided you during sign up. The number we assigned to you is a toll- free dedicated number. When individuals dial this dedicated number, the phone line you registered with, will ring.

5) I don’t understand the message “Clear Your Cache”. Can you clarify what this means and how to do it?
A) Your browser will save web pages that you have visited in a file on your hard drive in order to increase the speed at which your browser opens that same site again. If you clear your cache, you delete all of those old web pages. Clearing your Cache frees up space.  To clear cache, you go to your Toolbar under Tools. Then, you go to Clear Recent History. Then, your computer may have a scroll down menu, and under the scroll down, you will see “Cache” checked. Once this is checked, you may click “Clear Now” and your Cache will be cleared.

6) I haven’t registered for PhoneCaption yet.  I need to know if your services are a government backed, free, program where I am not charged for anything.  I cannot register until I am certain that there are no additional fees.
A) There are no fees whatsoever for this service. We are funded by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)

7) Can I use this service for a cell phone? A work phone? Does the phone have to be near a computer?
A) The service can be used from any phone- a cell, home or work phone. This means you can make a call from any of the aforementioned phones and receive calls on them too. Upon signing up, you receive a dedicated toll free number that links to the phone line of your choice. Then, when other people call your toll free number- the number you assigned to it (cell, home work) will ring.
No, the phone does not be near a computer

8 ) How long does the Sign-Up Process take?
A) The process takes approximately 30 seconds – 1 minute. Upon signing up, you receive an activation email with your toll-free PhoneCaption number. After you activate your account, you may begin making and receiving calls.

9) Where do I view the Captions of my Phone Calls? Somewhere on your website?
A) You read the captions by going to our website- www.phonecaption.com. To view your captions, just login with your username (your phone number) and the numerical password you chose during sign up. You will then be directed to your View Captions page.

10) What is my password? Do you provide that, or do I choose it?
A) Your password is a numerical one that you chose during Sign- Up.

11) I just signed up for your service. When I clicked on the Terms and Conditions, I received an error. But, I signed up anyways. Can you please send me the terms and conditions?
A) Yes. Please contact support@phonecaption.com and request to be sent the Terms and Conditions.

12) How can I chat with a representative at PhoneCaption? Is there a Chat option?
A) Yes, you may go to www.PhoneCaption.com and click on “Live Chat”. One of our representatives will be available to assist you.

13) Is there any additional software or equipment that I need to use PhoneCaption?
A) No. There is no additional software that you need to purchase to use our service. Only the comfort of your own computer, Internet, and any phone (your home phone, your mobile phone, or your cell phone)

14) When dialing out, can I use any phone? Or, do I have to use the Phone line I registered with?
A) When dialing out, you have to make the call from the phone line that you’ve assigned to your PhoneCaption account.  This is your User ID phone number.  If you call your PhoneCaption number from any other line, it will automatically ring on your User ID phone number line.

15) Can I change the phone I make calls to? As in, can I update my information or change it? Is this done on your website?
A) Yes, updating your information is done at www.PhoneCaption.com. You can change the number assigned to your PhoneCaption account at any time; go to the home page and click on the link UPDATE INFO.  This will allow you to log in and change the phone line you’ve designated your calls to go to.  Remember, this will change your User ID number.

16) Do you support multi-line telephones?
a) No, we do not support multi-line telephones. To my knowledge, there is no one out there who supports the same.

17) Can I use a calling card with PhoneCaption?
A) No. For any PhoneCaption call, the number you’re dialing out from has to be your Username, and for this reason, you cannot use a Calling Card. Remember, though, all your calls are at no charge with your dedicated toll-free PhoneCaption number. So, you don’t need to use a calling card.

18) I never received an activation e-mail. What can I do?
A) You should receive an activation email as soon as you Sign Up. However, if you haven’t received an activation email, please contact support@phonecaption.com and let them know of this. Our technical department will look into the matter immediately, and send you an activation email.

19) What happens if I get the message, “All Operators are Busy, Please Call Again Later?”
A) If you receive this message, this means that all our Communications Assistants are currently handling other calls. Please call back, and your call will be handled accordingly.

20) I need order one a CapTel phone today. Can you help me?
A) We are not Captel. You may contact them for a CapTel phone, as they are the provider.

21) Is PhoneCaption a device?
A) No. PhoneCaption is a service that converts your phone calls into text captions so you can read what the person you are speaking with is saying. We provide captioned text for individuals who are hard of hearing. So, if you are hard of hearing and make a call to a hearing individual, you will receive their end of the line via text captions.

22) I especially am concerned with my ability to handle conference calls and wondered how you handle this.  Can you type all voices on the conference call except mine?
A) As far as the conference is concerned, unfortunately, our service only supports captioning one voice at a time.

23) For the text communication, does this work through a public URL or a specific IP address behind your firewall?
A) PhoneCaption works through a public URL, as you must come to our website to see the captions.

24) Is your service available in Canada?
A) No. PhoneCaption is available to all United States residents.

25) Do I need to open an IM account to Sign Up?
A) No. Opening up an IM account is optional.

26) If I leave the View Captions page with no activity, how long until the session expire? Will it sign me out after a certain period of time?
A) The session will log you out after 20 minutes of no activity.

27)  Does the Hard of Hearing person hear the voice of the caller while reading the captions at the same time?
A) Yes. The PhoneCaption user hears the voice of their caller while reading the captions at the same time.

28) I just learned about your BlackBerry PhoneCaption application. How can I download this to my BlackBerry?
A) You may download the BlackBerry application by going to m.phonecaption.com . Upon doing so, click on “Download PhoneCaption App”

29) Is the Cisco phone an internet-based phone that requires a Ethernet connection and a phone line similar?
A) The Cisco Phone solely requires an internet based connection. It is does not require a separate phone line.

30) How is the PhoneCaption funded?  I’m assuming that since all of American Networks’ services are internet-based services and as a result American Network is reimbursed by NECA at this point.  Correct?
A) Yes, that is correct. The service is funded by TRS under the Federal Communications Commission.

31) Does PhoneCaption provide Caller ID? Is the Caller ID Pass Through Caller ID?
A) Yes, we do provide caller ID pass through. For example, if you get a call from someone you will receive their caller ID instead of the call center’s caller ID. Similarly when you make an outbound call through PhoneCaption’s service, you will be sending your caller ID, as in the phone line you registered with.

32) During sign- up, why do you ask for my address?
A) We request address details for emergency purposes so that we can provide your location to the appropriate emergency personnel if you need immediate attention. If you provide an invalid address, emergency personnel will be unable to assist you in a crisis situation. We keep your information confidential and employ safe guards to keep your information secure.

33) Is there any cost for a call?
A) There is no cost for the call; the service is funded by TRS under FCC guidelines.

34) Can I save a conversation?
A) You can save your conversation by selecting your text and copy/pasting it into a Word document. For privacy reasons, PhoneCaption does encourage you to notify the other caller should you choose to save your conversation.

35) How can I find out more about PhoneCaption?
A) Please email us at: support@phonecaption.com or visit www.PhoneCaption.com. We encourage you to check back the site from time to time, where new information will be posted as it becomes available.

36) Can I call anyone in the United States?
a) Yes. With PhoneCaption, you can call anywhere in the nation.

37) Can I download the desktop client at no charge?
A) Yes. The desktop client is available for you to download for free. You may do so on the homepage of www.PhoneCaption.com.

38) Does PhoneCaption have any video capability?
A) No. PhoneCaption converts voice to text, solely.

39) How does “Click to Caption” Work?
A) Upon logging in at www.PhoneCaption.com, you will be directed to your “View Captions” page. On the bottom left on this screen, you will see two spaces. One that says, “Dial To Number”, and one that says “I’m At.” Next to “Dial To Number”, enter the number you wish to dial. Next to “I’m At” enter your UserID, the phone line you are calling from.

40) What happens when I enter the “Dial To” number and the “I’m At?”
A) As soon as you enter this on your computer, your phone line will ring. Pick up the phone, and wait briefly for your call to be connected to your caller. Then, resume having a conversation and the voice of the other person will be conveyed via text captions on the screen in front of you.

41) Is there another way to receive calls besides entering the “I’m At” and “Dial To Number”?
A) Yes. After logging in at www.PhoneCaption.com, dial your dedicated toll free number, followed by the number you wish to call. Then, wait briefly until you are connected to your caller. This is another way to reach your caller.

42) How accurate are your Captions?
A) To ensure that you are receiving accurate Captions during your phone call, PhoneCaption has qualified Communications Assistants transcribing your call. Using a human being instead of a machine or robot increases the efficacy and accuracy of the captions.

43) Do you provide a Text and a Flash version of the “View Captions” Page?
A) Yes. We provide both versions. Pick the option that is best for you.

44) If I forgot my password, how can I retrieve it?
A) On the homepage of PhoneCaption.com, click on “Forgot Password” We will subsequently e-mail you your password.

45) Is my call confidential?
A) Absolutely. PhoneCaption abides by the FCC’s Confidentiality Regulations, and ensures that each call is treated with the utmost professionalism and confidentiality.

46) I am a veteran who has only mild hearing loss. Can I benefit from this service?
A) Yes, you can greatly benefit from PhoneCaption. Whether you slight difficulties hearing on the phone, or you have significant hearing loss, PhoneCaption is here to help you.

47) How do I receive my toll free PhoneCaption number?
A) You receive this via e-mail. We will send you your personalized PhoneCaption number to the email address you provided during sign up.

48) Can I refer a friend who I think would benefit?
A) Absolutely. You can do so by clicking on “Refer A Friend” on the top right corner of the homepage of www.PhoneCaption.com

49) Can I make international calls?
A) Yes. As long as your conversation is in English.

50) Can I leave a voicemail?
A) Yes. You may leave a voicemail if the person you are speaking to doesn’t answer. Remember, you are making a regular phone call.

51) Are the captions similar to Captioned Television?
A) Yes. The captions you receive of the hearing party’s voice are similar to Closed Captions shown on TV.

52) How do I qualify for the service?
A) As long as you are hard of hearing, or have some degree of hearing loss, you are free to use PhoneCaption. This is a self assessment, as there is no legal or medical assessment.

53) Does the person I’m speaking to have to be hearing?
A) Yes. Your caller needs to be a hearing individual as the captioned text is only provided for the individual with hearing loss.

54) How can I request literature or more information on your service?
A) Please contact support@phonecaption.com, and we will send you more information about PhoneCaption.

55) What can I do if I want to purchase a Cisco IP Phone from you? How much does it cost?
A) We will be distributing those phones shortly. The cost is $199 including programming the phone, and shipping it to you.

56) I am Deaf with no speech capacity. Can I benefit from PhoneCaption?
A) Since PhoneCaption requires you to respond to the person you are speaking with on the phone, it is not a service that caters to the Deaf.

57) I live on the east cost, and my mother lives on the west coast. If I make a call using my PhoneCaption number, is the call still free?
A) Yes, the call is free. You can make and receive calls anywhere in the United States.

58) Can I change the font or color of the Captions?
A) Yes. We have made it so you can customize the size and color of your Caption to fit your visual needs. You may do so upon logging in and being directed to your View Captions Page.

59) Can I follow you on Facebook and Twitter?
A) Yes. PhoneCaption is both on facebook and twitter. Follow us or become a fan, today!

60) What are the benefits of using PhoneCaption?
A) 100 % confidentiality on all calls, free TV-Style captioning, personal Toll- free PhoneCaption number, pass- through caller ID, and support capabilities for BlackBerry mobile device, Cisco IP Phone and Flash Client for both PC and MAC Users.

61) Am I obliged to any contract?
A) Not at all. Once we provide you with your toll- free PhoneCaption number, you are liberty to use it whenever you want, for any duration of time. You have no contract or commitment to the company, or to the toll-free number you are provided.

If the answer to your question was not found here, please feel free to check back regularly, as we frequently update our FAQ’s. Or, you may email support@phonecaption.com