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found on the Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) website at http://
www.ctia.org/
* In the United States and Canada, the SAR limit for mobile phones used by the public
is 1.6 watts/kg (W/kg) averaged over one gram of tissue. The standard incorporates a
substantial margin of safety to give additional protection 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 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.
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