Section 4A: Important Safety Information 135
Sprint PCS Service
Using Your Phone With a Hearing Aid
Device
Your Sprint PCS® Phone has been tested for hearing aid device
compatibility. When 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 ratings for some of their
mobile phones, to assist hearing device users in finding phones that may
be compatible with their hearing devices. Not all phones have been rated.
Phones that have been rated will have an “M3” or “M4” rating on the box.
Your Sprint PCS Vision Phone A420 by Samsung has an M3 rating.
The M3/M4 ratings do not guarantee successful interoperation between
your phone and hearing aid device. Results will vary depending on the level
of immunity of your hearing device and degree of your hearing loss.
The more immune your hearing aid device is, the less likely you are to
experience interference noise from your wireless phone. Hearing aid
devices should have ratings similar to phones. Ask your hearing healthcare
professional for the rating of your aids. Most new hearing aids have at
least an M2 immunity level. Add the “M” ratings of your hearing aid and
your phone to determine probable usability:
ⅷ Any combined rating equal to or greater than six offers best use.
ⅷ Any combined rating equal to five is considered normal use.
ⅷ Any combined rating equal to four is considered usable.
Thus, if you pair an M3 hearing aid with an M3 phone, you will have a
combined rating of six for “best use.”
Sprint further suggests you experiment with multiple phones (even
those not labeled M3 or M4) while in the store to find the one that
works best with your hearing aid device. Should you experience
interference after purchasing your phone, promptly return it to the store.
With the Sprint® 14 Day Risk Free Guarantee you may return the phone
within 14 days of purchase for a full refund.
Note:
Phones rated M3 or M4 meet FCC requirements and may generate less
interference to hearing devices than phones that are not labeled. M4 is
the better/higher of the two ratings.