User's Manual

41
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 out the phone
with your hearing device is the best way to evaluate
this.
M-Ratings: Phones rated M3 or M4 meet FCC
requirements and are likely to generate less