Hearing Aids and Cell Phones

• Advice for People with Hearing Aids or Implanted Hearing Devices
• Hearing Aid Compatibility Act
• Other Resources

Advice for People with Hearing Aids or Implanted Hearing Devices

Try before you buy!

Before you buy a cell phone, you should try different brands and models to see which phone works best for you.

People who wear hearing aids or have implanted hearing devices may experience some difficulties when trying to use cell phones. Some cell phones cause radio frequency interference with hearing aids, so the user hears high-pitched whistling sounds, buzzes, or static.

Fortunately, both cell phones and hearing aids are improving. Some phones have lower radio frequency (RF) emissions or different technology that can reduce the unwanted effects on hearing aids.

Hearing Aid Compatibility Act

Before long it will be much easier to find phones that will not interfere with hearing aids.

On July 10, 2003, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) modified the exemption for wireless phones under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988. This means that the FCC will require cell phone makers to produce several models that are designed to be compatible with hearing aids.

To learn more about the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act and finding a phone that works with your hearing aid, see:

Hearing Aid Compatibility Compliance for Traditional Telephone Equipment
FCC Consumer Facts
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/hac_wireline.html

Other Resources

Cell Phones and Hearing Aids
Video Webcast of FDA Patient Safety News
http://www.accessdata.fda.gov/scripts/cdrh/cfdocs/psn/transcript.cfm?show=21#9

Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control
Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/hearing.html

CTIA – The Wireless Association
http://www.accesswireless.org