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any other area where you would normally be advised
to turn off your vehicle engine.
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 mobile
devices under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of
1988 (HAC Act) to require digital wireless mobile
devices 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 mobile
devices 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 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
: 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.
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.
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
mobile device 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. If a hearing aid
meets the M2 level rating and the wireless mobile
device meets the M3 level rating, the sum of the two
values equal M5. This is synonymous for T ratings.
This should provide the hearing aid user with “normal
usage” while using their hearing aid with the
particular wireless mobile device.
“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
