Abstract: A method is disclosed for controlling the monitoring of telephone status changes by an associated processor. A status change inquiry message is transmitted from the associated processor to the telephone and is utilized to set an interrupt mode within the telephone. The status change inquiry message may also include a timer setting value which is utilized, in a preferred embodiment of the present invention, to determine a maximum duration for the interrupt mode. In response to a change in telephone status, or the termination of the timed interrupt mode, a single phone status message is sent to the associated processor and the interrupt mode is terminated. In this manner, a change in phone status may be determined by the associated processor without the necessity of continuously polling the telephone. Further, any transmission of a phone status change terminates the interrupt mode and prohibits the telephone from continuously interrupting the associated processor with status change messages.