134 Health & Safety
He
alth
& Saf
ety
When your Device is Wet
Do not turn on your device if it is wet. If your device is already on, turn it off and remove the battery immediately (if the device
will not turn off or you cannot remove the battery, leave it as-is). Then, dry the device with a towel and take it to a service
center.
FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Regulations for Wireless Devices
The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has established requirements for digital wireless mobile devices to be
compatible with hearing aids and other assistive hearing devices.
When individuals employing some assistive hearing devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants) use wireless mobile devices,
they may detect a buzzing, humming, or whining noise. Some hearing devices are more immune than others to this interfer-
ence noise, and mobile devices also vary in the amount of interference they generate.
The wireless telephone industry has developed a rating system for wireless mobile devices to assist hearing device users find
mobile devices that may be compatible with their hearing devices. Not all mobile devices have been rated. Mobile devices 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 mobile device successfully. Trying out the
mobile device with your hearing device is the best way to evaluate it for your personal needs.
M-Ratings
: Wireless mobile devices rated M3 or M4 meet FCC requirements and are likely to generate less interference to
hearing devices than mobile devices that are not labeled. M4 is the better/higher of the two ratings. M-ratings refer to enabling
acoustic coupling with hearing aids that do not operate in telecoil mode.
T-Ratings
: Mobile devices rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements and are likely to generate less interference to hearing devices
than mobile devices that are not labeled. T4 is the better/higher of the two ratings. T-ratings refer to enabling inductive cou-
pling with hearing aids operating in telecoil mode.
Hearing devices may also be rated. Your hearing aid manufacturer or hearing health professional may help you find this rating.
Higher ratings mean that the hearing device is relatively immune to interference noise.
Under the current industry standard, American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C63.19, the hearing aid and wireless mobile