Hearing Aid Compatibility
Chat Mobility is committed to providing a selection of compatible phones for customers with hearing impairments. Chat Mobility complies with the hearing aid compatibility rules of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), designed to make mobile phones more accessible to persons with disabilities. The FCC has created a rating system to help consumers with hearing disabilities find a phone that will work with their hearing aids. You can find that rating system here. Chat Mobility is also providing you additional information to help you identify devices and features that may assist your particular needs. You may find that information here.
Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) for Wireless Devices
Hearing aids do not always function well with wireless handsets. Hearing aids operate by using a microphone to pick up sound waves, converting the sound waves into electrical signals to be amplified. Distortion or amplification of unwanted sound (noise) often occurs.
Chat Mobility handsets have been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that they use. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in our phones that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of our phones 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 the handset for information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, please consult Chat Mobility.
The FCC’s hearing aid compatibility requirements address hearing aids that operate in either of two modes – acoustic coupling (“M” rating) or inductive coupling (“T” rating). Hearing aids operating in acoustic coupling mode receive through a microphone and then amplify all sounds surrounding the user, including both desired sounds, such as a telephone’s audio signal, and unwanted ambient noise. Hearing aids operating in inductive coupling mode turn off the microphone to avoid amplifying unwanted ambient noise, instead using a telecoil to receive only audio signal-based magnetic fields generated by inductive coupling-capable telephones. The FCC’s “M” and “T” ratings indicate whether a handset can be expected to function well with a hearing aid and are generally marked clearly on the handset packaging. The “M” or “T” rating does not guarantee that the handset will function without distortion or noise, so Chat Mobility, again, recommends that you test the handset before purchasing.
Acoustic Hearing Aids:
M3-rating indicates the handset has satisfied the ANSI standard.
M4-rating indicates the handset has exceeded the ANSI standard.
Induction Hearing Aids:
T3-rating indicates the handset has satisfied the ANSI standard.
T4-rating indicates the handset has exceeded the ANSI standard.
Levels of Functionality
Chat Mobility offers Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) handsets and devices in all major price categories, including low-cost (up to $200), moderate-cost ($200 - $500), and high-end/feature-rich (>$500). Costs generally correlate with the number of features, but, if through experience, Chat Mobility finds that a certain handset contains features that work well with hearing aids, such as volume control, it will be promoted as a phone with a higher level for functionality. Typically at least one HAC-compliant handset/device with features and services typical of its price category can be found that meets each customer’s price range. For information on phones Chat Mobility offers, click here.