Hearing Aid Compatible
Understanding Phone Ratings
On July 10, 2003, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) report and order in WT docket 01-309 modified the exception of wireless phones under the hearing aid compatibility act of 1988 (HAC act) to require digital wireless phones to be compatible with hearing-aids.
The intent of the HAC act is to ensure reasonable access to telecommunications services for persons with hearing disabilities.While some wireless phones are used near some hearing devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants), users may detect a buzzing, humming, or whining noise. Some hearing devices are more immune than other to this interference noise, and phones also vary in the amount of interference they generate.The wireless telephone industry has developed a rating system for wireless phones, to assist hearing device users to find phones that may be compatible with their hearing devices. Not all phones have been rated.
Phones that are rated have the rating on their box or a label located on the box.The ratings are not guarantees. Results will vary depending on the user’s hearing device and hearing loss. If your hearing device happens to be vulnerable to interference, you may not be able to use a rated phone successfully. Trying out the phone with your hearing device is the best way to evaluate it for your personal needs.
M-ratings:
Phones rated m3 or m4 meet FCC requirements and are likely to generate less interference to hearing devices than phones that are not labeled. M4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.
T-ratings:
Phones rated t3 or t4 meet FCC requirements and are likely to generate less interference to hearing devices than phones that are not labeled. T4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.Hearing devices may also be rated. Your hearing device manufacturer or hearing health professional may help you find this rating.
Higher ratings mean that the hearing device is relatively immune to interference noise. The hearing aid and wireless phone rating values are then added together. A sum of 5 is considered acceptable for normal use. A sum of 6 is considered for best use.
For more information about hearing aids and digital wireless phones:
Previous Phone Ratings
Motorola W315 - M3
Motorola L7C - M4/T4
Kyocera M1000 - M3 / T4
Kyocera KX12 - not rated
Kyocera KX5 - not rated
Samsung A870 - M4/T4
UT Starcom 6700 - M3 (wifi)
Treo 755p - M3 /T4
Treo 700wx - M3
Motorola t720 - not rated
Motorola t731 - not rated
Kyocera 2325 - not rated
LG 355/357 - M3