HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY (HAC) FOR WIRELESS
TELECOMMUNICATIONS DEVICES
PCD'S COMMITMENT
PCD believes that all of our customers should be able to enjoy the benefits of
digital wireless technologies.
We are committed to providing a selection of compatible devices for our
customers who wear hearing aids.
THIS PHONE HAS A HAC RATING OF M4/T4.
WhAT IS hEARING AID COMPATIBILITY?
The Federal Communications Commission has implemented rules and a rating
system designed to enable people who wear hearing aids to more effectively
use these wireless telecommunications devices. The standard for compatibility
of digital wireless phones with hearing aids is set forth in American National
Standard Institute (ANSI) standard C63.19. There are two sets of ANSI standards
with ratings from one to four (four being the best rating): an "M" rating for
reduced interference making it easier to hear conversations on the phone when
using the hearing aid microphone, and a "T" rating that enables the phone to be
used with hearing aids operating in the telecoil mode thus reducing unwanted
background noise.
hOW WILL I kNOW WhICh WIRELESS PhONES ARE hEARING AID
COMPATIBLE?
The Hearing Aid Compatibility rating is displayed on the wireless
phone box.
A phone is considered Hearing Aid Compatible for acoustic
coupling (microphone mode) if it has an "M3" or "M4" rating.
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A digital wireless phone is considered Hearing Aid Compatible for inductive
coupling (telecoil mode) if it has a "T3" or "T4" rating.
This phone has been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the
wireless technologies that it uses. However, there may be some newer wireless
technologies used in this phone that have not been tested yet for use with
hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of this phone thoroughly
and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to
determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult your service provider about its
return and exchange policies and for information on hearing aid compatibility.
hOW WILL I kNOW IF MY hEARING AID WILL WORk WITh A PARTICULAR
DIGITAL WIRELESS PhONE?
You'll want to try a number of wireless phones so that you can decide which
works the best with your hearing aids. You may also want to talk with your
hearing aid professional about the extent to which your hearing aids are immune
to interference, if they have wireless phone shielding, and whether your hearing
aid has a HAC rating.
FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT hEARING AIDS AND DIGITAL WIRELESS
PhONE
• FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control –
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/hearing.html
• Hearing Loss Association of America –
http://www.hearingloss.org/learn/cellphonetech.asp
• CTIA –
http://www.accesswireless.org/Disability-Categories/Hearing.aspx
• Gallaudet University, RERC –
http://tap.gallaudet.edu/voice
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