Hearing Aid Compatibility
When some mobile phones are used with certain hearing devices (including hearing aids and cochlear implants), users may detect a noise which can interfere with the effectiveness of the hearing device.
Some hearing devices are more “immune” than others to this interference noise, and mobile phones can also vary in the amount of interference noise they may generate at any given time. ANSI standard C63.19 was developed to provide a standardized means of measuring both mobile phone and hearing aids to determine usability rating categories for both.
Ratings have been developed for mobile phones to assist hearing device users find phones that may be compatible with their particular hearing aid. Not all mobile phones are rated for compatibility with hearing aids, but mobile phones that are rated should have the rating available. Your MOTOKRZR K1m by Motorola has an M4 T4 rating.
Results will vary depending on a user’s hearing device and individual type and degree of hearing loss. If a hearing aid is particularly vulnerable to interference noise, even a mobile phone with a higher rating may still cause unacceptable noise levels in the hearing aid. Evaluate your personal needs by trying out the mobile phone with your hearing aid.
“M” Rating: Mobile 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” or higher of the two ratings.)
“T” Rating: Mobile phones rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements for compatibility with
Hearing aids may also be rated for immunity to interference noise from mobile phones. In some cases, hearing aids can be
