Pursuant
to FCC guidelines, the handsets listed have been tested and rated
for Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC). These HAC ratings, or "M-Ratings" and "T-Ratings," help
hearing aid users find the best phone for their needs.
M-Ratings and Hearing Aid Immunity
Phones with an M-Rating of M3 or M4 meet FCC requirements and are
less likely to generate interference to hearing devices than phones
that are not labeled. M4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.
Hearing devices may also be measured for immunity to this type of
interference. Your hearing device manufacturer or hearing health
professional can help you find results for your hearing device. The
more immune your hearing aid is, the less likely you are to experience
interference noise from mobile phones.
T-Ratings and Compatibility with
Hearing Aids with Telecoils
A telecoil is a small device that is built into some hearing
aids for use with the telephone as well as assistive listening devices.
Not all hearing aids have telecoils. Phones with a T-Rating of T3
or T4 meet FCC requirements and are more likely to work well for
people who use hearing aids with telecoils with telephones. T4 is
the better/higher of the two ratings.
Levels of Functionality
The Levels of Functionality explanation is as follows: “Good” depicts
devices with basic technology on entry level data speeds; “Better”
depicts devices with advanced technology and/or with advanced functionality;
and “Best” depicts devices with new technology and/or with new functionality
that operate on faster data speeds.
The list of compatible handsets changes from
time to time and this web site is updated on a regular
basis.
What Makes a Phone Hearing Aid Compatible?
Hearing aids operate in one of two modes – acoustic coupling or telecoil
coupling. Hearing aids operating in acoustic coupling mode receive
and amplify all sounds surrounding the user; both desired sounds,
such as a telephone’s audio signal, as well as unwanted ambient
noise. Hearing aids operating in telecoil coupling mode avoid unwanted
ambient noise by turning off the microphone and receiving only
signals from magnetic fields generated by telecoil-compatible telephones.
In the United States, about 25-30 percent of hearing aids contain
telecoils, which generally are used by individuals with profound
hearing loss.
A telecoil is a small, tightly-wrapped piece of wire inside the hearing
aid that, when activated, picks up the voice signal from the electromagnetic
field that leaks from compatible telephones. While the microphone
on a hearing aid picks up all sounds, the telecoil will only pick
up an electromagnetic signal from the telephone. Thus, users of telecoil-equipped
hearing aids are able to communicate effectively over the telephone
without feedback and without the amplification of unwanted background
noise. Telecoils can only fit in two styles of hearing aids: “In-The-Ear”
and “Behind-The-Ear” aids. Smaller hearing aids are not large enough
to fit the telecoil. Many people report feedback (or squealing) when
they place a telephone next to their hearing aid. When placed correctly,
telecoils can eliminate this feedback because the hearing aid microphone
is turned off and the hearing aid only amplifies the signal coming
through the telecoil. Some hearing aid users may need to place the
telephone slightly behind the ear rather than directly over the ear
to obtain the clearest signal.
The ability to make wireless telephones compatible with
hearing aids also depends in part on other technical and
design choices made by carriers and manufacturers. For
example, for technical reasons, it is easier to meet hearing
aid compatibility standards on systems that use a Code
Division Multiple Access (CDMA) air interface (including
Verizon Wireless and Sprint Nextel) than on systems that use a Global
System for Mobile (GSM) (such as AT&T Mobility and T-Mobile)
air interface. It is also easier to meet hearing aid compatibility
standards in phones with clamshell (or “flip”) designs than in “candy
bar” or other styles. Therefore, consumers may generally find more
models that meet hearing aid compatibility standards available from
CDMA carriers and in clamshell designs.
What Are the FCC’s Requirements
for Hearing Aid Compatibility for Digital Wireless Telephones?
Analog wireless telephones usually do not cause interference with
hearing aids. Digital wireless telephones, on the other hand, sometimes
cause interference because of electromagnetic energy emitted by the
telephone’s antenna, backlight, or other components. Therefore, the
FCC has adopted specific hearing aid compatibility rules for digital
wireless telephones.
The standard for compatibility of digital wireless phones with hearing
aids is set forth in American National Standard Institute (ANSI)
standard C63.19. ANSI C63.19 contains two sets of standards: an “M”
rating (originally a “U” rating) from one to four for reduced radio
frequency (RF) interference to enable acoustic coupling with hearing
aids that do not operate in telecoil mode, and a “T” rating (originally
a “UT” rating) from one to four to enable inductive coupling with
hearing aids operating in telecoil mode. A digital wireless handset
is considered hearing aid-compatible for acoustic coupling if it
meets an “M3” (or “U3”) rating under the ANSI standard. A digital
wireless handset is considered hearing aid-compatible for inductive
coupling if it meets a “T3” (or “U3T”) rating under the ANSI standard.
In addition to rating wireless phones, the ANSI standard also provides
a methodology for rating hearing aids from M1 to M4, with M1 being
the least immune to RF interference and M4 the most immune. To determine
whether a particular digital wireless telephone is likely to interfere
with a particular hearing aid, the immunity rating of the hearing
aid is added to the rating of the telephone. A sum of four would
indicate that the telephone is usable; a sum of five would indicate
that the telephone would provide normal use; and a sum of six or
greater would indicate that the telephone would provide excellent
performance with that hearing aid.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
If you have a problem using a hearing aid with a digital wireless
phone that is supposed to be hearing aid-compatible, first try to
resolve it with the equipment manufacturer or your wireless service
provider. If you can’t resolve the issue directly, you can file a
complaint with the FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint.
You can file your complaint using an on-line complaint form found
at esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm.
You can also file your complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by
e-mailing fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling 1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322)
voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC (1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232;
or writing to:
Federal Communications Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554.
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