Safety
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 hearing
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 best use.
In the above example, if a hearing aid meets the M2 level
rating and the wireless phone meets the M3 level rating,
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