User's Guide

Important Safety Information 154

Ratings have been developed for mobile phones to assist hearing device users in finding

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 Hydro XTRM has an M3 and a T3 rating.

These ratings are not guarantees. Results will vary depending on the user’s hearing device

and the individual’s 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: 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 some newer wireless

technologies used in this phone that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids.

It is important to try the different features of this phone thoroughly and in different

locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any

interfering noise. Consult your service provider or the manufacturer of this phone for

information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or

exchange policies, consult your service provider or phone retailer.

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.

More information about hearing aid compatibility may be found at: www.fcc.gov,