Cricket Communications A100 - Manual (Page 52)

52
Additional safety information
01-309 modified the exception of
wireless phones under the Hearing
Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC
Act) to require digital wireless phones
be compatible with hearing-aids. The
intent of the HAC Act is to ensure
reasonable
access to
telecommunications services for
persons with hearing disabilities.While
some wireless phones are used near
some hearing devices (hearing aids
and cochlear implants), users may
detect a buzzing,humming, or whining
noise. Some hearing devices are
more immune than others to this
interference noise, and phones also
vary in the amount of interference
they generate.The wireless telephone
industry has developed a rating
system for wireless phones, to assist
hearing device users find phones
that may be compatible with their
hearing devices. Not all phones have
been rated. Phones that are rated
have the rating on their box or a label
located on the box. The ratings are not
guarantees. Results will vary depending
on the user’s hearing device and
hearing loss. If your hearing device
happens to be vulnerable to
interference, you may not be able to
use a rated phone successfully. Trying
out the phone with your hearing
device is the best way to evaluate it
for your personal needs.
M-Ratings: Phones
rated M3 or M4 meet
FCC
requirements
and are likely to
generate
less
interference to hearing devices
than phones that are not labeled.
M4 is the better/higher of the two
ratings. Hearing devices may also
be rated. Your hearing device
manufacturer or hearing health
professional may help you find this
rating. Higher ratings mean that the
aring device is relatively immune to
interference noise. The hearing aid
and wireless phone rating values
are then added together.A sum of 5
is considered acceptable for normal
use. A sum of 6 is considered for