The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC)

The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act), requires that all ‘essential’ telephones and wireless telecommunications devices manufactured or imported for use in the United States must be hearing aid compatible according to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC).

Users with hearing devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants may experience interference or a type of feedback when using or in close proximity to wireless devices.

To ensure the compatibility of hearing devices with wireless products, an industry standardized rating system was devised to aid users in finding the most beneficial device that provides the best quality of audible clarity with the least interference.

The ratings should be looked at as a guide or referencing aid and not as a guarantee as the results for each user will vary according to their respective hearing device and individual degree of hearing loss.

Not all wireless devices are rated. Wireless devices that are rated will have the rating displayed on the box along with other relevant information.

For best results, it is recommended that users with a hearing device consult a medical professional for evaluation before purchasing or testing a wireless device.

Ratings

According to the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard C63.19 there are two sets of standardized ratings for digital handsets.

An ‘M’ and ‘T’ rating are used to determine the value of likely interference or immunity of a wireless device in compatibility to a hearing device based on a level of numerical value from 1-4.

An ‘M’ rating is determined by the reduced radio frequency interference to enable acoustic coupling with hearing aids that do not operate in telecoil mode.

A ‘T’ rating is determined by the reduced radio frequency interference to enable inductive coupling with hearing aids that operate in telecoil mode.

To be considered hearing aid-compatible, a digital wireless handset for acoustic coupling must meet a requirement of ‘M3’ under the ANSI standard and ‘T3’ for inductive coupling.

Types of Phones Offered by CWW

PDAs (smartphones) generally have advanced features such as expandable memory, enhanced camera, Bluetooth, video, Internet access, touch screen UI, faster processing, email, full QWERTY keypads, and in many cases Windows Office Mobile, to meet the demands of mobile business professionals and consumers.


High-Tier Phones have features for demanding users, including Bluetooth, Internet access capability, increased RAM storage or expandable memory, high-resolution color display, enhanced camera/video capability, and music/MP3 player functionality. They typically feature a modern, sleek design, often are slider form factor.


Mid-Tier Phones may have a camera, Bluetooth, or Internet access capability, but are less likely to offer video/music/media player capability. Design is typically less stylish, tends to be clamshell or flip form factor.


Low-Tier Phones offer basic wireless telephone features, may not have a camera, Bluetooth, or Internet access capability, and generally lack such features MP3 players and expandable memory. Typically utilitarian design suitable for customers using voice/text only, tends to be flip or bar form factor.

For more information on the requirements for Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) for digital wireless devices, log on to the FCC’s site at http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/hac_wireless.html

A list of current and previously sold Carolina West Wireless handsets and their HAC ratings can be found in the table below.