So thanks to my fun version of cancer, I had a total larynjectomy. My voice box was removed. Amongst all the other things I will never be able to do again, I can’t speak on the phone.

I have been trying to find an app that lets me type words and it speaks them INTO THE PHONE to the person on the other end. However much I try, I can’t seem to find the right words to make Google understand what I’m looking for. I don’t need something that speaks typed words out loud to the person standing next to me. I don’t need an app that reads texts to me. I need to communicate over the phone line to the person on the other side.

Can anyone here unlock the magic phrase that finds what I need? I am starting to suspect there’s some law against it or something, which is why it’s seemingly not a thing. I can’t imagine mine is the only use case for such an app.

Right now my poor wife is the one who has to make all my doctor appointments, order all my drug refills, call the plumber, whatever. I’d love to be able to help with that again. Can you fine folks help me out?

  • drdoggophd@lemmy.world
    3·
    1 year ago

    Hi there. I saw this post come up on my “all” feed. I am not sure how much help this would be or if you’ve looked into it yet or not, but maybe try looking into TTY? I admittedly have no experience with it and I’m just aware it’s a thing that exists, but perhaps it could be a possible solution. From one of the search results I got when googling “TTY phone”: “TTY stands for “teletypewriter,” a device initially created to allow individuals with hearing or speech impairments to communicate by sending typed text over standard telephone lines. In modern smartphones, TTY mode replicates this functionality, enabling text-based communication during a voice call.”

    I hope this helps, or at least points you in a good direction. I hope you are doing well, all things considered.

    • ickplant@lemmy.world
      2·
      1 year ago

      This. I was an independent living aid to a young man with selective mutism, and this is what he used.

      • Stillhart@lemm.eeOP
        1·
        1 year ago

        Thanks. Did they need an external TTY device for this to work? I tried placing a TTY call and it just went through like a normal call without a keyboard or anything. Maybe I’m doing something wrong…

    • Stillhart@lemm.eeOP
      1·
      1 year ago

      Thanks, this definitely got me pointed in a good direction. It seems that TTY is being phased out for RTT as suggested by the person above. I have a lot more research to do but this definitely helped a ton. Thank you!