The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC)

HAC Information

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 the 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.

Good: Handsets provide lower cost voice service. Typically include basic texting, limited web browsing and e-mail capability.

Better: Handsets offer upgraded voice. Advanced web browsing with e-mail, camera and video capability, social media and download functionality.

Best: Handsets incorporate new technologies and high data speeds, advanced voice/web browsing and e-mail capability, as well as increased storage, high-resolution display, enhanced camera with video capability, social media and download app functionality. Feature phones can operate on 3G and 4G networks.

This phone has been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that it uses. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in this phone that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of this phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult your service provider or the manufacturer of this phone for information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, consult your service provider or phone retailer.

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

Manufacturer Tier Model FCC ID Number HAC Rating
Atel Better VoLTE Flip 2AXKS-FR150 M4/T3
Apple Best iPhone 14 BCG-E8138A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 14 Plus BCG-E8139A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 14 Pro BCG-E8140A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 14 Pro Max BCG-E8141A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone SE 2022 BCG-E4082A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 13 BCG-E3997A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 13 Mini BCG-E3994A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 13 Pro BCG-E4000A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 13 Pro Max BCG-E4003A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone SE 2020 BCG-E3501A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 11  BCG-E3309A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 11 Pro BCG-E3305A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 11 Pro Max BCG-E3306A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 12 Mini BCG-E3542A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 12 BCG-E3543A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 12 Pro BCG-E3545A M3/T4
Apple Best iPhone 12 Pro Max BCG-E3549A M3/T4
LG  Better Stylo 6 ZNFQ730TH M4/T3
LG  Better  K31 ZNFL355DL M3/T3
Motorola Better G Stylus XT20434 IHDT56YN1 M3/T3
Motorola Better G Power IHDT56ZH1 M3/T3
Orbic Better Journey 2ABGH-RC2250L M3/T3
Samsung Better Galaxy A03s ZCASMA037U M3/T3
Samsung Better Galaxy A13 5G A3LSMA136U M3/T3
Samsung Better Galaxy A13 LTE A3LSMA135U M3/T3
Samsung Better Galaxy A53 5G A3LSMA536U M3/T3
Samsung Better A21 ZCASMA215U M4/T3
Samsung  Best  A51 A3LSMS515U M3/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy S20 A3LSMG981U M3/T3
Samsung  Best  Galaxy S20 Plus A3LSMG986B M4/T3
Samsung Best  Galaxy S20 Fan Edition A3LSMG781B M4/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy S21 Fan Edition A3LSMG990U M3/T3
Samsung Best Note 20 A3LSMN981B M3/T3
Samsung Best Note 20 Ultra A3LSMN986B M3/T3
Samsung  Best Galaxy S10 A3LSMG973U M4/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy S10 Plus A3LSMG975U M4/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy S21 A3LSMG991U M3/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy S21 Plus A3LSMG996U M3/T3
Samsung Best  Galaxy S22 A3LSMS901U M3/T3
Samsung Best  Galaxy S22 Plus A3LSMS906U M3/T3
Samsung Best  Galaxy S22 Ultra A3LSMS908U M3/T3
Sonim Better XP3 Flip WYPPG2223 M3/T4
Samsung Better Galaxy A12 A3LSMA125U M3/T3
Samsung Better Galaxy A32 A3LSMA326U M3/T3
Samsung Better Galaxy A42 A3LSMA426U M3/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy A52 A3LSMA526U M3/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy Z Fold3 A3LSMF926U M3/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy Z Flip4 A3LSMF721U M3/T3
Samsung Best Galaxy Z Fold4 A3LSMf936U M3/T3
Samsung  Best Note 10 A3LSMN97OU M4/T3

 

Information on hearing aid compatibility is available from the Federal Communications Commission at

https://www.fcc.gov/hearing-aid-compatibility-wireless-telephones

General information regarding hearing aid-compatible and non-hearing aid compatible handset models is available at

http://gari.info/

Update 1-11-2023

    
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