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requirements and are likely to generate less
interference to hearing devices than phones
that are not labeled. T4 is the better/higher of
the two ratings.
Hearing devices may also be rated. 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 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’s acceptable
for normal operation.
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
FCC Hearing-Aid Compatibility (HAC)
Regulations for Wireless Devices
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 to 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 labeled. M4 is the better/higher of
the two ratings.
T-Ratings: Phones rated T3 or T4 meet FCC
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