Hearing Aid Compatibility
(HAC) with Mobile Phones
When some mobile 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 are rated have the rating on
their box or a label 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.
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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 for immunity to this type
of interference. Your hearing device
manufacturer or hearing health
professional may help you find
results for your hearing device. The
more immune your hearing aid is,
the less likely you are to experience
interference noise from mobile
phones.
To ensure that the Hearing Aid
Compatibility rating for your phone
is maintained, secondary transmitters
such as Bluetooth® components must
be disabled during a call.