advertised. Unlike "hand-free" kits, these so-called "shields"may interfere with proper operation of the phone. The phone maybe forced to boost its power to compensate, leading to anincrease in RF absorption. In February 2002, the Federal tradeCommission (FTC) charged two companies that sold devices thatclaimed to protect wireless phone users from radiation withmaking false and unsubstantiated claims.According to FTC, these defendants lacked a reasonable basis to(IEEE). This standard specifies test methods and performancerequirements for hearing aids and wireless phones so that nointerference occurs when a person uses a compatible phone anda compatible hearing aid at the same time. This standard wasapproved by the IEEE in 2000.FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones for possibleinteractions with other medical devices. Should harmfulinterference be found to occur, FDA will conduct testing to assess
