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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.
T-Ratings: Phones rated T3 or T4
meet FCC requirements and are
likely to generate less interference
to hearing devices than phones
that are not labeled. T4 is the
better/higher of the two ratings.
Hearing devices may also be rated.
Your hearing device manufacturer