iPhone: Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)
Summary
The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted hearing aid compatibility (HAC) requirements for digital wireless phones. Both iPhone 4 (GSM model) with iOS 5 and iPhone 4 (CDMA model) meet these requirements.
Products Affected
iPhone 4
Both iPhone 4 (GSM model) with iOS 5 with Hearing Aid Mode activated and iPhone 4 (CDMA model) meet the FCC requirements for hearing aid compatibility. See Identifying iPhone models if you are unsure of your iPhone model. To activate Hearing Aid Mode on iPhone 4 (GSM model) with iOS 5, go to Settings > General > Accessibility. Hearing Aid Mode reduces the transmission power of the cellular radio in the GSM 1900 MHz band, which may result in decreased 2G cellular coverage.
Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) iPhone ratings
| Image | Model | Model # | HAC Rating1 | ||
 |
iPhone 4 (CDMA model) |
A1349 | M4, T4 | ||
 |
iPhone 4 (GSM model) with Hearing Aid Mode in iOS 5 activated |
A1332 | 3G network (850/1900 MHz): M4, T4 | ||
| 2G network (850 MHz): M3, T3 | |||||
| 2G network (1900 MHz): M32, T3 | |||||
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What the HAC ratings mean
The FCC hearing aid compatibility rules require that certain phones be tested and rated under the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) C63.19 hearing aid compatibility standards. The ANSI standard for hearing aid compatibility contains two types of ratings:
- M: For reduced radio-frequency interference to enable acoustic coupling with hearing aids that don’t operate in telecoil mode
- T: For inductive coupling with hearing aids operating in telecoil mode
These ratings are given on a scale from one to four, where four is the most compatible. A phone is considered hearing aid compatible under the FCC requirements if it is rated M3 or M4 for acoustic coupling and T3 or T4 for inductive coupling.
Hearing aid compatibility ratings aren’t a guarantee that a particular hearing aid works well with a particular phone. Some hearing aids may work well with phones that do not meet the FCC requirements for Hearing Aid Compatibility. To ensure that a particular hearing aid works with a particular phone, use them together before purchasing them.
Hearing aid compatibility and newer wireless technologies
This phone has been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that it uses. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in this phone that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of this phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult your service provider or the manufacturer of this phone for information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, consult your service provider or phone retailer.
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