Quick start guide

88
Safety
for the public and to account for any
variations in measurements.
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