Cordless Phones and Hearing Aid Compatibility

by Dana Mulvany

Editor: You probably know that all phones (except cell phones) in the US are required to be hearing aid compatible. That includes cordless phones. To be sure we're on the same page, those are the ones that have a base that plugs into your phone line and a hand piece without a cord that you can use as you walk around your house.

Well, it seems that people are reporting compatibility problems with some cordless phones. Dana Mulvany of SHHH sent this great note to one of the email lists, and she graciously allowed us to share it. So if you have a cordless phone that isn't hearing aid compatible, here are some suggestions.

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All cordless phones sold in the U.S.A. are covered by the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act and have been required to be hearing aid compatible since 1991. However, we've heard that at least one manufacturer is issuing a disclaimer stating that certain cordless phones may not be compatible with hearing aids. I've talked about this problem with Brenda Battat, the Director of Public Policy at Self Help for Hard of Hearing People, and she STRONGLY advised everyone who has not been able to use a cordless phone due to interference FROM THE PHONE to take action about this. Contact the manufacturer of the phone and let them know that the phone is supposed to be compatible with your hearing aid. Keep a record of your contacts and write down the responses you receive. If you do not get a satisfactory response, report this problem to the FCC.

(Do make sure that the interference is from the phone itself and not from other nearby sources of electromagnetic interference (EMI), like a computer monitor. To determine this, turn off and disconnect the phone and leave your telecoil on; if you still hear the same kind and degree of interference, the EMI is from your environment. Do also make a distinction between wireless phones/aka cell phones and cordless phones; wireless phones have different requirements.)

If you want to read more about the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act, go to: http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro/da990792.html (Don't worry about the applicability of this law if you use just a CI with the phone; the phone still should not interfere with your CI.)

It is very important and rather easy to file a complaint about incompatible phones, but if no one files a complaint, the FCC staff won't be able to do anything on your (and our) behalf. Please also inform Brenda Battat of your efforts even if you're not a member of SHHH; her email address is battat@shhh.org. Do look to see if there is a disclaimer in the manual about the phone being incompatible with some hearing aids; it is especially important to take action if there is such a disclaimer and to notify the FCC about this disclaimer.

To file the complaint with the FCC:

go to http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html

(this has additional info)

Or email

fccinfo@fcc.gov

Or call

1-888-CALL-FCC (v) TELL-FCC (TTY)

Details to Provide the FCC

Name, address, and daytime phone number

Name of all companies involved with the complaint

Names and telephone numbers of the company representatives that you have contacted, the dates you spoke to them or emailed/wrote to them, and any other helpful information

Model, make, and type of phone (also include same info about your CI or hearing aid)

When and where purchased

What is the problem (start off by saying that the phone appears to be in violation of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act, and then provide specifics)

What type of resolution you are seeking

For more information about SHHH, see http://www.hearingloss.org/ .