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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.
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.
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