Using Your Phone With A Hearing Aid Device - Alcatel OneTouch B3G User Manual

Using Your Phone With a Hearing Aid
Device
A number of phones have been tested for hearing aid device compatibility. When some wireless phones
are used with certain hearing devices (including hearing aids and cochlear implants), users may detect a
noise which can interfere with the effectiveness of the hearing device.
Some hearing devices are more immune than others to this interference noise, and phones also vary in
the amount of interference noise they may generate. ANSI standard C63.19 was developed to provide a
standardized means of measuring both wireless phone and hearing devices to determine usability rating
categories for both.
Ratings have been developed for mobile phones to assist hearing device users find phones that may be
compatible with their hearing device. Not all phones have been rated for compatibility with hearing
devices. Phones that have been rated have a label located on the box. Your ALCATEL ONETOUCH
RETRO has an M4/T4 rating.
These ratings are not guarantees. Results will vary depending on the user's hearing device and individual
type and degree of hearing loss. If a hearing device is particularly vulnerable to interference noise; even a
phone with a higher rating may still cause unacceptable noise levels in the hearing device. 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 for hearing aid compatibility and are likely to
generate less interference to hearing devices than unrated phones. (M4 is the better/higher of the two
ratings.)
T-Ratings: Phones rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements and are likely to be more usable with a
hearing device's telecoil ("T Switch" or "Telephone Switch") than unrated phones. (T4 is the better/higher
of the two ratings. Note that not all hearing devices have telecoils in them.)
Note: New Technologies. This phone has been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the
wireless technologies that it uses. However, there may be newer wireless technologies used in this phone
that have not been tested for use with hearing aids.
Hearing aid devices may also be measured for immunity to interference noise from wireless phones and
should have ratings similar to phones. Ask your hearing healthcare professional for the rating of your
hearing aid. Add the rating of your hearing aid and your phone to determine probable usability:
●
Any combined rating equal to or greater than six offers excellent use.
●
Any combined rating equal to five is considered normal use.
●
Any combined rating equal to four is considered usable.
Thus, if you pair an M3 hearing aid with an M3 phone, you will have a combined rating of six for "excellent
use." This is synonymous for T ratings.
It is further suggested you experiment with multiple phones (even those not labeled M3/T3 or M4/T4)
while in the store to find the one that works best with your hearing aid device. Should you experience
interference or find the quality of service unsatisfactory after purchasing your phone, promptly return it to
Regulatory Information 43