AG Bell Concerns About Digital Cell Phones

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AG Bell Advocates-Help Impact a Continuing Problem for Users of Hearing Technology
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Editor: We've previously mentioned incompatibilities between digital cell phones (PCS phones) and hearing aids or cochlear implants. Some combinations of equipment are not usable, because of a static-like noise produced within the hearing device by the digital cell phone. Several years ago AG Bell and other hearing loss organizations fought (to no avail) the exemption that allows these problems to occur.

Now that the entire industry is going digital, AG Bell is concerned that people who use hearing aids and cochlear implants will soon be shut out of cell phones; furthermore, if digital technology spreads to standard wired phones, people who use hearing aids or cochlear implants may even be unable to use standard telephones!

The following AG Bell press release states their concerns in some detail. The recommended date for responses has passed (sorry about that), but I think comments to the FCC would still be beneficial. Even if you choose not to let the FCC know your position on this issue, it's critically important that you understand what it's all about; it will come up again, and we all need to be able to discuss it intelligently.

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AG Bell, working in coalition with several other organizations concerned with the needs of people with hearing loss, recently joined the "Wireless Access Coalition" to address the continuing problem that hearing aid and cochlear implant users have with digital wireless telephones. When a digital wireless telephone (as opposed to the older analog telephones) is placed near a hearing aid or cochlear implant, the user often hears a loud buzzing noise. The extent of the problem varies by type and age of hearing aid, severity of hearing loss, and type of telephone technology. Nonetheless, interference is a problem for most hearing aid and cochlear implant users who use voice telephones.

Five years ago when digital wireless telephones (also known as Personal Communications Systems, or PCS) were first introduced into the United States, AG Bell teamed with SHHH and the Wireless Communication Council to petition the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to revoke the exemption for wireless telephones under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act. Then FCC Chairman Reed Hundt declined to stop the rollout and instead directed the wireless industry to work with consumers on the problem. Since that time, hearing aid manufacturers have increased immunity in their products to such interference but this has been insufficient to eliminate the interference. Consumer advocates, and even providers of telephone services, feel that the wireless manufacturers haven't taken this problem seriously.

Some of you may wonder why this issue matters since we still have the analog alternative. Analog service is often inferior and more expensive than digital service. Further, analog networks are not being expanded and will likely go out of use in the next decade. Some countries, such as Australia, have already abandoned analog. Wireless phones have now become an integral part of our lives. Indeed, many companies now provide wireless telephones for their employees. Some futurists expect that we will all be using wireless telephones for most of our calls within the next twenty years or so. We don't want adults or children to settle for anything less than full access to all of the latest telecommunications improvements!

We need your help to draw attention to this serious access concern. Parents, adults with hearing loss or professionals-the FCC staff have requested that our members send in accounts of any problems you have encountered. We need your letters as soon as possible but preferably no later than October 20. Send information about your experiences to: Access@FCC.gov (email) or via regular mail to:

Federal Communications Commission
Consumer Information Bureau, Disabilities Rights Office
445 12th Street, SW
Washington, DC 20554

Please include the following information in your letter:
1. Your name, address, and telephone number.
2. A daytime telephone number or email address.
3. The type of hearing aid (behind the ear, in the ear, in the canal) or cochlear implant you or your child use.
4. The make and model of the digital telephone that caused the buzzing sound.
5. Describe the interference if possible. What seemed to set it off (i.e., use of telecoil, regular setting).
6. What you did when you encountered the problem. Did you contact the telephone service provider, manufacturer of the phone, hearing care provider?

Could you also please email or send me a copy of your letter to the FCC. AG Bell will keep you informed about our efforts via our web page and in Volta Voices. Thank you for helping advance this important advocacy initiative.

Donna L. Sorkin
Executive Director, AG Bell