User's Manual

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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 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.
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 rated. M4 is the
better/higher of the two ratings.
i130 is rated M3.
T-Ratings: Phones rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements
and are likely to be more usable with a hearing aid’s telecoil
than phones that are not rated. T4 is the better/higher of
the two ratings.
i130 is rated T3.