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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 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.