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network. In general, the closer you are to a wireless base station antenna, the lower
the power output.
Before a phone model is available for sale to the public, it must be tested and
certified to the FCC that it does not exceed the limit established by the government
adopted requirement for safe exposure. The tests are performed in positions and
locations (e.g., at the ear and worn on the body) as required by the FCC for each
model. The highest SAR value for this model phone when tested for use at the
ear is 1.38 W/Kg and when worn on the body, as described in this user guide,
is 1 W/Kg. (Body-worn measurements differ among phone models, depending
upon available accessories and FCC requirements). While there may be differences
between the SAR levels of various phones and at various positions, they all meet
the government requirement for safe exposure.
The SAR testing for Body-worn operation was performed with a belt clip that
provided a 22mm separation. The User' s Manual indicates that any holsters/clips
used with this device should contain no metallic components.
The FCC has granted an Equipment Authorization for this model phone with all
reported SAR levels evaluated as in compliance with the FCC RF exposure guidelines.
SAR information on this model phone is on file with the FCC and can be found under
the Display Grant section of
http://www.fcc.gov/oet/ea
after searching on PP4ECHO.
Additional information on Specific Absorption Rates (SAR) can be found on the
Cellular Telecommunications Industry Association (CTIA) web-site
at http://www.wow-com.com.
Chapter 7 − Safety and Warranty
122
* 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 sub-stantial margin of safety to give additional protection for the
public and to account for any variations in measurements.
FCC HEARINGAID 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 hear-
ing 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 interfer-
ence, 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.
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 − Chapter 7
123
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