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Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) regulations for Mobile phones
In 2003, the FCC adopted rules to make digital wireless telephones compatible with hearing
aids and cochlear implants. Although analog wireless phones do not usually cause
interference with hearing aids or cochlear implants, digital wireless phones sometimes do
because of electromagnetic energy emitted by the phone's antenna, backlight, or other
components.
Your phone is compliant with FCC HAC regulations (ANSI C63.19).
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.
T-Ratings: Phones rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements and are likely to be more usable
with a hearing device’s telecoil (”T Switch” or ”Telephone Switch”) than unrated phones. T4 is
the better/ higher of the two ratings. (Note that not all hearing devices have telecoils in them.)
Hearing devices may also be measured.
