Cellular Phone Access - Part 1
Can you use a cell phone? Seems that the answer depends
as much on the phone as on the person. Some of the new technology works
really well for people with hearing loss; some of it is pretty much
unworkable. We'll keep you up to date with the emerging cell phone
technology.
Below are links to several articles regarding
compatibility between mobile phones and hearing aids or TTYs. For
additional general information, please see the Mobile
Phone portion of our Technology section.
For information regarding specific wireless phones,
visit the Mobile Phone Pages of our
Resource Directory.
October 2000 - Several years ago, a coalition of hearing
loss organizations tried to get the FCC to revoke the exemption that
causes the current problems with digital cell phones and either hearing
aids or cochlear implants. Here's a summary of that situation
from AG Bell and their suggested actions.
October 2000 -
Another option is to come up with devices that provide compatibility
between cell phones and hearing aids. One such device
was recently introduced to the European market.
December
2000 - A recent FCC Report and Order sets deadlines for
digital
cellular networks to provide TTY compatibility. I don't know if the required technical
modifications will provide compatibility with other hearing loss
devices, but at least we know that TTYs will work over digital networks.
November
2001 - FCC Seeks Comments on
Hearing Aid Compatibility with Mobile Phones
June
2002 - Digital Wireless Phones Now TTY-Compatible
July
2002 - FCC Grants Wireless TTY-Compatibility Delays
August
2002 - Kiss Your Analog Cell Phone Goodbye
August
2002 - British Cell Phones are Hearing Aid Compatible
May 2003 - What's going on with wireless
phone/hearing aid compatibility?
July 2003 - The FCC FINALLY did it! They mandated digital
wireless phones that are accessible to people with hearing aids and
cochlear implants!
August
2003 - Do you have a cordless (as opposed to wireless) phone that causes
interference in your hearing aid? Here's what you can do
about it.
Nov 2003 - Here's a great Q&A
from Linda Kozma-Spytek, a research audiologist in Gallaudet
University's Technology Access Program. Linda discusses the current
status compatibility between hearing aids and digital wireless phones.
May
2005 - The cell phone industry reports that it is mostly
in compliance with hearing aid compatibility rules that take effect in
September.
June 2005 - The FCC has denied many of the industry
petitions to loosen requirements for digital wireless phones to be
hearing aid compatible. Here are the details.
June 2005 - The
FDA has a great website on cell phones for people who use hearing aids
or CIs!
September 2005 - The FCC has granted
a partial exemption to the hearing aid compatibility regulations for GSM
phones operating in the 850 MHz cellular band.
October 2005 - Starkey's ELI (Ear Level
Instrument) provides Bluetooth(R) connectivity between hearing aids and
Bluetooth(R)-enhanced mobile phones.
October 2005 - Looking for a hearing aid
compatible cell phone? Here's how to find one!
December 2005 - We're past the September 2005 for the
first phase of cell phones that are hearing aid compatible.
So
how did the industry to in meeting that deadline?
May 2006 - Deadline looms for hearing aid
compatibility
June
2006 - 160 Wireless Devices Compatible with Hearing
Aids
October
2006 - Hearing Aids and Wireless Cell Phones - An
Update
December 2006 - Shopping for a
Hearing Aid/Cochlear Implant Compatible Cell Phone?
January 2007 - Push for Increased
Hearing Aid Compatibility of Wireless Phones
April 2007 - More HAC Cell Phones
Coming
April 2007 - Accord reached on
hearing-aid compatible cellphones
July 2007 -
Hearing Aids to Indicate Cell Phone Compatibility Rating
July 2007 - Hearing Aid
Compatibility for Digital Wireless Phones
September 2007 - HLAA Files
FCC Complaint about iPhone
October 2007 - Is the iPhone
a Rotten Apple? Hearing Loss Group Files Complaint
November 2007 - FCC Supports Adoption
of ATIS Hearing Aid Compatibility Incubator Recommendations
November 2007 - FCC to enforce
50% hearing-aid mandate beginning next year
December 2007 - Everything You Need
to Know about Cell Phones and Digital Hearing Aids
February 2008 - Analog Cell Phone
Sunset
February 2008 - Study of Cell
Phone Accessibility Published
