Wireless phones receive a rating when manufactured that relate to the magnetic coil they are compatible with. If it receives a T3 or T4 rating, it means the wireless phone is hearing aid compatible. An M3 or M4 rating indicates there is noise reduction. The M rating and noise reduction is used for people to turn off their hearing aids when answering the phone or do not use hearing devices when using telephones but have a hearing disability. 

Wireless Phones and Hearing Aid Compatibility under HAC

Telephones that follow the standards of hearing aid compatibility include all coin operated and credit care operated telephones, telephones set up for emergencies, places of employment and places of public accommodation, all telephones manufactured or imported for use in the United States 

Application of HAC Phones in the United States

All phones need to be compatible with magnetic coils (telecoils and T-coils) which are found in hearing aids. Not accommodating these creates excess noise that interferes with clarity. There must also be volume controls that fall between the set limits

Michigan State University

47 U.S.C. § 610. This legislation requires that the FCC enforces all telephones to be compatible with hearing aids and cochlear implants in the sense that there is a minimum of unwanted noise. 

The Hearing Aid and Compatibility Act (1988)

Telecommunications Act (1996)

Communications Act. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.nad.org/resources/civil-rights-laws/communications-act/


Telecommunications & Hearing Aids

Phones that are Hearing Aid Compatible According to the HAC

The FCC filed a $819,000 USD forfeiture order against T-Mobile after finding that they failed to provide the minimum number of hearing aid compatible handset models during the time period of November 2009 and December 2010. 

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