168What about wireless phone interference withmedical equipment?Radio frequency energy (RF) from wireless phones caninteract with some electronic devices. For this reason, FDAhelped develop a detailed test method to measureelectromagnetic interference (EMI) of implanted cardiacpacemakers and defibrillators from wireless telephones. Thistest method is now part of a standard sponsored by theAssociation for the Advancement of Medical instrumentation(AAMI). The final draft, a joint effort by FDA, medical devicemanufacturers, and many other groups, was completed onlate 2000. This standard will allow manufacturers to ensurethat cardiac pacemakers and defibrillators are safe fromwireless phone EMI.FDA has tested hearing aids for interference from handheldwireless phones and helped develop a voluntary standardsponsored by the Institute of Electrical and ElectronicEngineers (IEEE). This standard specifies test methods andperformance requirements for hearing aids and wirelessphones so that no interference occurs when a person uses a“compatible” phone and a “compatible” hearing aid at thesame time. This standard was approved by the IEEE in 2000.FDA continues to monitor the use of wireless phones forpossible interactions with other medical devices. Shouldharmful interference be found to occur, FDA will conducttesting to assess the interference and work to resolvethe problem.
