User's Manual

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 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 d evice
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 rated. M4 is the
better/higherofthetworatings.
M4.
T-Ratings: Phones rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements
and are likely to be more usable with a hearing aid’s
telecoil than phones that are not rated. T4 is the
better/higherofthetworatings.
for hearing aid compatibility with respect to the Wi-Fi
capability. Please power off the Bluetooth function while
devices may also be rated. Your hearing device
manufacturer or hearing health professional may help you
find 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
This phone is rated
This phone is rated T3.
The handset has not been rated
using hearing aid devices with your phone Hearing