143FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)Regulations for Wireless DevicesOn July 10, 2003, the U.S. Federal Communications Commission(FCC) Report and Order in WT Docket 01-309 modified theexception of wireless mobile devices under the Hearing AidCompatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act) to require digital wirelessmobile devices be compatible with hearing aids.The intent of the HAC Act is to ensure reasonable access totelecommunications services for persons with hearingdisabilities. While some wireless mobile devices are used nearsome hearing devices (hearing aids and cochlear implants),users may detect a buzzing, humming, or whining noise. Somehearing devices are more immune than others to thisinterference noise, and mobile devices also vary in the amount ofinterference they generate.The wireless telephone industry has developed a rating systemfor wireless mobile devices to assist hearing device users findmobile devices that may be compatible with their hearingdevices. Not all mobile devices have been rated. Mobile devicesthat are rated have the rating on their box or a label located onthe box.The ratings are not guarantees. Results will vary depending onthe user's hearing device and hearing loss. If your hearing devicehappens to be vulnerable to interference, you may not be able touse a rated mobile device successfully. Trying out the mobiledevice with your hearing device is the best way to evaluate it foryour personal needs.M-Ratings: Mobile devices rated M3 or M4 meet FCCrequirements and are likely to generate less interference tohearing devices than mobile devices that are not labeled. M4 isthe better/higher of the two ratings.T-Ratings: Mobile devices rated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirementsand are likely to generate less interference to hearing devicesthan mobile devices that are not labeled. T4 is the better/higherof the two ratings.Hearing devices may also be rated. Your hearing devicemanufacturer or hearing health professional may help you findthis rating. Higher ratings mean that the hearing device isrelatively immune to interference noise. The hearing aid andwireless mobile device rating values are then added together.A sum of 5 is considered acceptable for normal use. A sum of 6is considered for best use. If a hearing aid meets the M2 levelrating and the wireless mobile device meets the M3 level rating,the sum of the two values equal M5. This is synonymous for Tratings. This should provide the hearing aid user with “normalusage” while using their hearing aid with the particular wirelessmobile device.