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Safety
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 hear-
ing device users find phones that may be compati-
ble with their hearing devices.
Not all phones have been rated. Phones that are
rated have the rating on their box or a label locat-
ed on the box.
The ratings are not guarantees. Results will vary
depending on the user’s hearing device and hear-
ing loss. If your hearing device happens to be vul-
nerable 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 evalu-
ate it for your personal needs.
M-Ratings: Phones rated M3 or M4 meet FCC
requirements and are likely to generate less inter-
ference to hearing devices than phones that are
not labeled. M4 is the better/higher of the two rat-
ings.
Hearing devices may also be rated. Your hearing
device manufacturer or hearing health profession-
al 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.
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