User's Manual

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 hearing 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. 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.

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.)

C5620 is rated M4.

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.)

C5620 is rated T4.

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 better use. A sum of 8 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. This methodology

applies equally for T ratings. 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 phones

FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control:

http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/hearing.html