Accessibility services - Hearing Carry Over

If you can hear, but must use a TTY to type what you need to say, you may request Hearing Carry Over. Hearing Carry Over allows you to hear what the other party is saying while a Bell Relay service operator speaks for you by reading what you type to the other person.

  • Placing a Hearing Carry Over call

    1. Dial 711 and ensure that the handset of the phone is inserted into the TTY handset receptacle.
    2. When the Bell Relay operator answers, "Bell Canada Relay service" will appear, along with the operator's name & operator number, followed by GA (for Go Ahead).
      Please note that you will be communicating via only text until the operator gets the person you are calling on the line.
    3. Type HCO ON PLEASE followed by GA. The Bell Relay operator will update you on the status of the call (ringing, busy, and who has answered) by typing to you.
    4. When the operator has the person you have called on the line, the operator will type (NAME) IS ON THE LINE, HCO IS ON GA.
    5. When you see the GA you can begin typing. The Bell Relay operator will read your text to the person you have called.
      Remember to type GA when you are done.
    6. Lift the phone handset off the TTY and listen to the other person's spoken response. When they say GO AHEAD, place the handset back down on the TTY and type your response.
    7. Type GA to SK (stop keying) when you are ready to end the call.

  • Receiving a Hearing Carry Over call

    1. Answer the call (identified as Bell Canada Relay service on your call display).
    2. Immediately place the handset on your TTY, type your greeting and HCO ON PLEASE, followed by GA.
    3. The Bell Relay operator will type who they have on the line to speak with you and also type HCO ON GA.
      Note: You will be communicating only via text until the Bell Relay operator initiates Hearing Carry Over.
    4. Type your response, followed by GA. Lift the handset off the TTY and listen to what is said. When you hear the caller say "Go ahead", place the handset back on the TTY and type your response.
    5. Type GA to SK (stop keying) when you are ready to end the call.

    Note: Since a Hearing Carry Over phone cannot be used to receive text and to speak at the same time, the correct use of "Go ahead" is necessary for smooth conversations.