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96 Appendix
FCC Hearing-Aid Compatibility (HAC) Regulations for
Wireless Devices
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 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 others 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 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 rated. M4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.
T-Ratings: Phones rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements and are likely to be more usable with a hearing aid’s
telecoil than phones that are not rated. T4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.
CEDA100 complies with the FCC’s requirements for hearing aid compatibility when using the CDMA air
interface. The M rating in this mode is M3 and the T rating in this mode is T3.
Please power off the Bluetooth function while using hearing aid devices with your CEDA100.
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 better use. A sum of 8 is considered for best use.
In the above example, if a hearing aid meets the M2 level rating and the wireless phone meets the M3 level
rating, the sum of the two values equal M5. This should provide the hearing aid user with “normal usage” while
using their hearing aid with the particular wireless phone. “Normal usage” in this context is defined as a signal
quality that is acceptable for normal operation.
This methodology applies equally for T ratings. The M mark is intended to be synonymous with the U mark. The
T mark is intended to be synonymous with the UT mark. The M and T marks are recommended by the Alliance
for Telecommunications Industries Solutions (ATIS). The U and UT marks are referenced in Section 20.19 of the
FCC Rules. The HAC rating and measurement procedure are described in the American National Standards
Institute (ANSI) C63.19 standard.
For information about hearing aids and digital wireless phones
FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control:
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/hearing.html
Gallaudet University, RERC:
https://fjallfoss.fcc.gov/oetcf/eas/reports/GenericSearch.cfm
CEDA100 has not been shown to comply with any hearing aid compatibility requirements when using the GSM
air interface and is not configured to use the GSM air interface in the United States. Hearing aid or cochlear
implant users should note this fact and consult the service provider about return and exchange policies should
such operation prove to be unacceptable.
SAR Information
0.213 W/kg @ 10g ( CE )
1.03 W/kg @ 1g ( FCC )