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SAFETY AND WARRANTY
(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 hear-
ing 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.
Hearing 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 added together. A sum of 5 is considered
acceptable for normal use. A sum of 6 is considered
for best use.
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FCC HEARING-AID COMPATIBILITY
FCC HEARING-AID COMPATIBILITY
(HAC) REGULATIONS FOR WIRELESS DEVICES
In the above example, if a hearing aid meets the M2 level rating and the
wireless phone meets the M3 level rating, the sum of the two values equal
M5. This should provide the hearing aid user with "normal usage" while using
their hearing aid with the particular wireless phone. "Normal usage" in this
context is defined as a signal quality that is acceptable for normal operation.
The M mark is intended to be synonymous with the U mark. The T mark is
intended to be synonymous with the UT mark. The M and T marks are
recommended by the Alliance for Telecommunications Industries Solutions
(ATIS). The U and UT marks are referenced in Section 20.19 of the FCC Rules.
The HAC rating and measurement procedure are described in the American
National Standards Institute (ANSI) C63.19 standard.
For information about hearing aids and digital wireless phone
•
Fcc Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/hearing.html
•
Gallaudet University, RERC
http://tap.gallaudet.edu/DigWireless.KS/DigWireless.htm
•
Self Help for Hard of Hearing People Inc. [SHHH]
www.hearingloss.org/hat/TipsWirelessPhones.htm
•
The Hearing Aid Compatibility FCC Order
http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/
FCC-03-168A1.pdf
SAFETY AND WARRANTY
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