Safety
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 |
| modified the exception of |
| wireless phones under the |
| Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of |
| 1988 (HAC Act) to require |
| digital wireless phones be |
S af | compatible with |
The intent of the HAC Act is to | |
e | ensure reasonable access to |
ty | 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.
