cell

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.

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