The FDA has told patients wearing hearing aids to choose cell phones carefully to avoid unwanted effects on hearing aids.
According to the FDA people wearing implanted hearing devices or those who wear hearing aids may experience some difficulties when using various types of cell phones.
“Some cell phones can cause radiofrequency interference with hearing aids, so the user hears high-pitched whistling sounds, buzzes, or static. Fortunately, the compatibility of cell phones and hearing aids is improving. Some phones have lower radiofrequency emissions or use different technologies that can reduce the unwanted effects on hearing aids. The FCC now requires cell phone manufacturers to test and rate their wireless handsets’ hearing aid compatibility using the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) C63.19 standard. These ratings give an indication of the likelihood a cell phone may interfere with hearing aids; the higher the rating, the less likely the cell phone-hearing aid combination will experience undesired interference. Hearing aid users should read and understand these ratings when choosing a cell phone”, the FDA release said.
As a result the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) rules require that if a patient is wearing a hearing aid or cochlear plant, cell phone makers are required to make phones that work better for those wearing hearing aid devices. According to the FCC, these rules include that phones must produce less static, better telecoil connections and less interference.
Patients should look at the labels properly, just as they would do with food, to make sure the phone is compatible. There is a lot of information on the cell phone box, manual and on advertising material, they said. If the phone will work for those with hearing disabilities, the phone should say HAC or Hearing Aid Compatible and buyers can make sure that the phone is activated to have the HAC “switched” on. Additionally, cell phones for the hearing impaired will work well with a microphone (M) rating of M3 or M4 as well as T3 or T4 (telecoil) which will make conversations clearer to the user.
Similarly, hearing aid devices should also be tested to ensure that they work well with cell phones in this digital age where a cell phone may save a life or be useful in an emergency. These device makers also let you know whether your hearing aid will work well with your cell phone.
Most patients will require cell phones where the volume can be controlled. Additional features that are useful include display and keypad lighting controls, different ringers and tones which can be used as alerts along with a flashing screen to alert to a call.
The FDA, like most organizations, is warning that texting and driving can be fatal or lead to injury and suggest that the hearing impaired also have speaker phone adaptability on the mobile phones. However, when not driving, the FCC suggests that the phone is made easier to use when it also has features which include text messaging services and teletypewriter (TTY) or other assistive device mechanisms. Speaker phone reduces interference by putting distance between the phone and the user, reducing interference. The FDA and FCC also highly recommend voice calling combined with speaker phone.
The Caribbean region is however not bound by FDA or FCC rules unless the territory is a US dependency. It is best to shop around and ask questions of your medical practitioner and cell phone provider.
