STS Speech-to-Speech

Speech-to-Speech allows speech-disabled persons to voice their conversation.  A specially trained Nordia Relay CA repeats the words of the person with a speech disability or synthesizer output to the other person.  You do not need a TTY or text display equipment to use this service, only a regular telephone is needed.

The CA is specially trained to be a “voicer”, someone who understands a wide range of speech patterns. The CA facilitates the call between the caller and the called party by listening to the words spoken by the person with the speech disability, and then revoicing what was said word-for-word when required.  All three parties are able to hear one another during an STS call. The caller or called party can request that the CA revoice all the words spoken by the person with the speech disability, or just those words or phrases that were not understood.

A specially trained Nordia Relay CA serves as the speech-disabled user’s voice and repeats his/her responses to the called person. A STS user may be asked to repeat his/her message to transmit it correctly. 

1.  Dial 1-866-734-2305 to reach a dedicated Speech-to-Speech CA.

2.  You will connect to a CA who has been specifically trained to provide assistance to people with mild to severe speech disabilities, as well as people using voice synthesizers, voice enhancers and other devices.

3.  Verbally inform the CA of the area code and telephone number you are calling. Choose the role that you want the CA to take in your call: ACTIVE ROLE: the CA will repeat everything you say to the other party. PASSIVE ROLE: the CA will intervene only upon request from you or the person you have called.

4.  The CA will dial your call. You will be able to hear the line ringing and everything the person you have called says once the call is answered.

5.  Speak to the person you have called directly. The CA will repeat your conversation for you as you previously requested.

6.  The CA will disconnect the call when you are finished. Let the CA know if you wish to make another call.

Speech-to-Speech callers can store a list of frequently called names and telephone numbers on their Customer Profile.  This list allows you to call someone without having to provide their telephone number each time you place a call. 

STS users also have the possibility to specify the numbers at which they can be reached at different times during the day and on different days of the week. This allows speech-enabled users to call Nordia’s Relay Service and request to speak to the speech-disabled person by name.  Nordia’s customer care specialists will be able to reach the speech-disabled person at the number they provided for that particular day and time.  This service is provided because many speech-disabled persons have trouble saying numbers and because asking them to give the STS 800 number and their own telephone number may discourage telephone use. 

For people who do not have a provider of choice when dialing 711 in California, the calls are distributed among 3 different Relay Service providers. 

If you want your provider of choice to be Nordia, simply fill in a 711 choice form, which is accessible from our homepage.  You can also talk to a CA who will do this for you - just dial 1-866-734-2833 (TTY/Voice) and tell the CA you would like to create a 711 choice form and select Nordia as your provider of choice.  You may also dial any of our 800 numbers to connect directly to the call type of your choice.