The FCC has established rules regarding Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC), which all wireless carriers must follow.   HAC ratings were developed to assist hearing device users in finding handsets that may be compatible with their hearing devices. Handsets must meet or exceed the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) ratings to meet the FCC requirements for Hearing Aid Compatibility.

There are two different standards or  ratings:

M rating:
Wireless phones which have an M3 or M4 rating meet the FCC requirements to be compatible with hearing devices which operate in acoustic coupling mode, also referred to as microphone mode.  These devices amplify all sounds surrounding the user, both desired and undesired.  A phone with an M3 rating meets the HAC requirement set by the FCC.  A phone with an M4 rating exceeds the HAC requirement. 

T rating: 
Phones that are designated T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements to be compatible with hearing devices which operate in inductive coupling or telecoil coupling mode.  These hearing devices avoid unwanted noise by turning off the microphone and using a telecoil, which picks up magnetic fields generated by the phone and converts them to sound.  A phone with a T3 rating meets the HAC requirement set by the FCC.  A phone with a T4 rating exceeds the HAC requirement.  

Handsets Currently Offered By Custer Telephone Wireless:      
Handset Maker
Model Name (s)
Air Interface Technology
Operating Frequency Bands
M Rating
T Rating
Wi-Fi Interface
Functionality Level*
Motrorola
W845
CDMA
850,1900
M4
T3
No
3
Nokia
1006
CDMA
850, 1900
M3
T3
No
1
Nokia
6019i
CDMA
850, 1900
M3
-
No
1
LG
300
CDMA
850, 1900
M3
T3
No
1
LG
Rumor 2 265
CDMA
850, 1900
M3
T4
No
2
Motorola
W385
CDMA
850, 1900
M4
T4
No
2
LG
700Volt
CDMA
850, 1900
M4
T3
No
3
Motorola
V3M Razr
CDMA
850, 1900
M4
T4
No
3
LG
840
CDMA
850,1900
M4
T4
No
3

 

*Custer Telephone offers hearing aid compatible handsets with different levels of functionality.  These

levels are described as follows:

Level 1:

 

 

 

These are basic phones with limited features and have no camera.  The price for these phones is under $130.

Level 2:

 

 

 

These are mid-range phones that have features such as blue tooth and a VGA camera.  The price for these

phones is under $180.

 

 

Level 3:

 

 

 

These are higher end phones that have features such as blue tooth, MP3 player, 1+megapixel camera,

qwerty key board, memory card and touch screen.  The price for these phones is over $180.

 

 

©2008 Custer Telephone Cooperative, Inc.