Hearing Aids and Cell Phones
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
Updated June 4, 2008 |