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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 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.
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.
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 phone
l Fcc Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/hearing.html
l Gallaudet University, RERC
http://tap.gallaudet.edu/DigWireless.KS/DigWireless.htm
l Self Help for Hard of Hearing People Inc. [SHHH]
www.hearingloss.org/hat/TipsWirelessPhones.htm
l The Hearing Aid Compatibility FCC Order
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/
FCC-03-168A1.pdf
FCC HEARING-AID COMPATIBILITY (HAC)
REGULATIONS FOR WIRELESS DEVICES
FCC HEARING-AID COMPATIBILITY (HAC)
REGULATIONS FOR WIRELESS DEVICES