Instruction Manual

HealthandSafetyInformation
HealthandSafetyInformation
HealthandSafetyInformation155
154HealthandSafetyInformation
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modied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nd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 or hearing health
professionalmayhelpyound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.
1008301_GreatCall_jB_HowToGuide_R11.indd 154-155 3/9/2011 10:23:41 AM