-    -    -    -     -    -    -    -     -    -    -    -     -    -    -    -    
Hearing Loss Products and Services
Advertise on Hearing Loss Web
Search This Site or the Web

Free Email Newsletter

Jobs, Jobs, Jobs

Hearing Loss Web Banner
Discussion Forum
In the News!
Last Update: Feb 15
-    -    -    -     -    -    -    -     -    -    -    -     -    -    -    -    
 
Home
About Us
Search
New to Hearing Loss?
In the News
Discussion Forum
HOH-LD-News
Advertise
Contact Us
Glossary
 
Issues
Access
Oral Communications
Emergency Planning
Employment
Family
Hearing Aid Affordability
Identity
Law Enforcement
Psychological
Services
 
Medical
Audiology
Causes
Cures
Meniere's Disease
Tinnitus
 
Local Resources
Employment Opportunities
 
Education Opportunities
 
Hearing Loss Products and Services
Government
Hearing Aids
Hearing Aid Batteries
Hearing Dogs
Hearing Loss Organizations
Hints and Tips
Publications
 
Technology
Alerting Devices
Assistive Listening Devices
Cochlear Implants
Hearing Aids
Speech Recognition
Telephones
Two Way Pagers
TTYs (TDDs)
Visual Communications
Links
 

Cell Phones for People with Hearing Loss

These days, it seems that everyone is using a cell phone. You see people using them in their cars, in restaurants, walking down the street, etc. Do any of these people have hearing loss?

Below are links to several articles regarding compatibility between mobile phones and hearing aids or cochlear implants. For additional information, please see the Mobile Phone Access portion of our Issues section.

December 2012 - Wireless carriers to accelerate availability of text-to-911 services

September 2012 - Apple Confirms "Made for iPhone" Hearing Aid Compatibility

June 2012 - HLAA Convention: Cell Phone or Mobile Device to Meet Your Needs

June 2012 - Clarity Releases Amplified Cell Phone Designed for Seniors

October 2011 - The Best Phone Apps to Measure Noise Levels

September 2011 - Cell Phones Which Are Compatible with Hearing Aids

March 2011 - iPhone 4 scores High on Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Testing

March 2011 - Updated Website Helps Consumers Choose Accessible Wireless Devices and Services

December 2010 - Choosing and Using a Cell Phone with Your Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant

November 2010 - Hearing Loss Organizations File Mobile Phone Comments with FCC

September 2010 - FCC Adopts Rules on Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility

September 2010 - Prolonged mobile phone use may be linked to tinnitus

August 2010 - FCC Moves to Improve Cell Phone Accessibility

August 2010 - FCC Takes Strong Action on Accessibility of Wireless Phones

August 2009 - 2009 HLAA Convention: The Wireless Industry: What's Available? What's Right for You?

April 2009 - Doro Launches New Mobile Phones Designed for Baby Boomers & Active Seniors

February 2009 - How to Buy a Cell Phone when You Have a Hearing Loss

April 2008 - Clarity unveils cell phone for seniors

February 2008 - Analog Cell Phone Sunset

February 2008 - Study of Cell Phone Accessibility Published

November 2007 - FCC Supports Adoption of ATIS Hearing Aid Compatibility Incubator Recommendations

July 2007 - Here's our report on the cell phone workshop at the 2007 HLAA convention.

July 2007 - Hearing Aids to Indicate Cell Phone Compatibility Rating

June 2007 - Why would anyone want an inaudible ringtone?

May 2007 - TIA Publishes Standard for Improving HAC

April 2007 - More HAC Cell Phones Coming

April 2007 - Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) and Wireless Devices

October 2006 - ALDAcon 2006 Presentation - Introduction to mobile phones

October 2004 - There's been a long controversy regarding cell phone use causing cancer. Now there seems to be some evidence that long term cell phone use can cause acoustic neuromas - which cause deafness!

November 2003 - OK, so some cell phones will become compatible with some hearing aids in the next two or three years. What does this mean to you? Here's Linda Kozma-Spytek of the Gallaudet Telecommunications RERC with answers to your questions!

July 2003 - The FCC FINALLY did it! They mandated digital wireless phones that are accessible to people with hearing aids and cochlear implants!

February 2002 - It's pretty common knowledge that many digital cell phones are not hearing aid compatible, but fewer people are aware that many cell phones are not currently TTY-compatible. It seems that the TTY compatibility issue is an easier one to solve, because the resolution will be in place by June 30 of this year. (No resolution of the hearing aid compatibility issue is currently in sight.) Here's more on TTY compatibility from CNET News.

November 2001 - Wireless phones - hmmmm? can people with hearing loss use wireless phones? Even someone who's totally deaf can put a wireless phone to good use - just not for transmitting voice! Learn how a wireless phone can help you in the wireless wave.

August 2001 - Have you tried using a cell phone with your hearing aid? How about with a TTY? Did it work well or not? Did you know that there are compatibility issues between some devices for people with hearing loss and some cell phones? This article about cell phone compatibility with aids and TTYs should help you learn more about a very complicated topic.

August 2000 - It looks like cell phones are here to stay!! Here's a writeup by Cheryl Heppner of NVRC of the Cell Phone and Hearing Aids workshop at the recent SHHH convention.

Until recently, people who rely on their telecoil (T-coil) have not been able to use a cell phone, because they don't produce enough magnetic flux to drive the T-coil.  However, Nokia has introduced a neckloop that provides T-coil compatibility with some of their cell phones. Our buddy Curtis has researched this and reports on HA Compatible Cell Phones.

More on this and related topics

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Wireless carriers to accelerate availability of text-to-911 services

December 2012

The Federal Communications Commission(FCC) has announced that the nation's four largest wireless carriers have committed to speeding up the availability of text-to-911services. Major deployments of the services are expected to occur in 2013, and the carriers have committed to nation-wide availability by May 15, 2014. The ability to text 911 will benefit people with disabilities such as hearing loss or speech impairments, or people who are in danger and unable to speak. The FCC says the Text-to-911 will complement rather than replace voice technology, and recommends that consumers use the voice system when possible. Sprint Wireless recently announced that it has started a four-week trial of the new 911 texting technology in Vermont, says Urgent Communications.  Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Apple Confirms "Made for iPhone" Hearing Aid Compatibility

September 2012

In Apple's latest list of new features for the just released "iOS6" operating system for iPhones and iPads, Apple has confirmed earlier reportsthat iOS6 has greater support for hearing aids designated as "Made for iPhone." On its iOS6 new features page, Apple writes in the accessibility section, "And Apple is working with top manufacturers to introduce Made for iPhone hearing aids that will deliver a power-efficient, high-quality digital audio experience." In a footnote, the company states that Made for iPhone hearing aids will require iPhone 4S or iPhone 5. Therefore, hearing aid users will need to own or purchase the two most recent iPhone models. The older iPhone 3, iPhone 3GS, and iPhone 4 will not be able to take advantage of the new hearing aid features. So far, no hearing aid manufacturer has publicly revealed that it is working with Apple or the details of what a Made for iPhone hearing aid actually means. Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

The Best Phone Apps to Measure Noise Levels

October 2011

Every day, we encounter a variety of sounds that hum, buzz, and ring and at safe noise levels.  However, individuals of all ages sometimes risk exposure to harmful noises that damage the sensitive structure of the inner ear and cause permanent or temporary Noise Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL).  Inside the ear, small hair cells transmit electrical signals to the brain.  These hair cells are often harmed or completely destroyed by extremely loud noises at home, in the workplace, and as we go about living our lives.  Common activities like attending rock concerts, working with shop tools, and operating lawn mowing equipment, as well as one-time occurrences like explosions, can destroy these delicate hair cells, resulting in hearing loss and even annoying tinnitus, or ringing in the ears. Luckily, with modern technology comes help in measuring the decibel level of sounds around us. We found some great smart phone apps that raise a red flag when users enter situations that reach noise levels that may contribute to hearing problems.  The mobile nature of the smart phone makes it easy to take control of your health and hearing wherever you are, and avoid activities and locations that may be detrimental to healthy ears.  Read on to learn more about our favorite iPhone and Android apps for measuring noise levels.  Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Cell Phones Which Are Compatible with Hearing Aids

Sept 2011

As a service to hearing aid owners BHI is providing a complete (to their knowledge) list of U.S. phones which are most compatible with hearing aids. By compatibility we mean they carry the very highest rating of M4/T4:

* M4 indicates there is the least likelihood of microphone interference and

* T4 means there is the greatest likelihood of telecoil coupling compatibility with the cell phone.

The following is a list of the most hearing aid compatible cell phones. To find out more about a specific model go to www.phonescoop.com or click on the model.  Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

iPhone 4 scores High on Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Testing

March 2011

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted hearing aid compatibility (HAC) rules for digital wireless phones. This article describes HAC rules and iPhone 4 HAC ratings.  Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Choosing and Using a Cell Phone with Your Hearing Aid or Cochlear Implant

December 2010

Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations require hearing aid-compatible digital wireless telephones. Here are the answers to the most frequently asked questions about cell phones and the FCC regulations. More cell phones are being manufactured with reduced radio frequency (RF) emissions to minimize interference and make them more hearing aid user friendly as a result of Federal Communications Commission (FCC) regulations. If you are a hearing aid or cochlear implant user, the likelihood of finding a relatively interference free cell phone that will work with your hearing devices has increased because of improvements in cell phones and hearing instruments. We expect to see more phones in the 3G network that are compatible with hearing aids and cochlear implants. However, because hearing loss and hearing instruments are highly individualized, it is still advisable to try out cell phones in the store before making a purchase and again at home and work within the provider's return period. Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hearing Loss Organizations File Mobile Phone Comments with FCC

November 2010

Hearing Loss Association of America ("HLAA"), Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, Inc. ("TDI"), Association of Late-Deafened Adults, Inc. ("ALDA"), and Deaf & Hard of Hearing Consumer Advocacy Network ("DHHCAN"), National Association of the Deaf ("NAD"), and Alexander Graham Bell Association for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing ("AG Bell") (collectively, "Consumer Groups") submit these comments in response to the Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking1 ("FNPRM") released by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC" or "Commission") on August 5, 2010 regarding the hearing aid compatibility rules:

1. The Commission proposes to extend the scope of the rules beyond the current category of commercial mobile radio services ("CMRS") to include handsets used to provide wireless voice communications over any type of network among members of the public or substantial portion of the public. It also seeks comment on what transition period is appropriate for applying the requirements to newly covered handsets.

2. The Commission seeks further comment on whether to extend in-store testing requirement beyond retail stores owned or operated by service providers to some or all other retail outlets.

3. The Commission seeks comment on whether to extend to all circumstances the ability to meet hearing aid compatibility radio frequency ("RF") reduction standards for GSM operations in the 1900 MHz band through software that enables the user to reduce maximum power output by up to 2.5 dB.   Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Clarity unveils cell phone for seniors

April 2008

Chattanooga-based Clarity on Tuesday unveiled a cell phone aimed at people over 65 who have vision and hearing loss. "Mobile phones have not been designed to meet the needs of the millions of aging Americans," said Carsten Trads, the company's president. The phone, dubbed ClarityLife, features a large display with prominent buttons. It also amplifies incoming sound by up to 20 decibel, according to the company which debuted the phone at a Las Vegas wireless conference. In addition, the phone is equipped with a one-touch emergency response button. When activated, it will call and send text messages to five pre-programmed numbers.  Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Why would anyone want an inaudible ringtone?

June 2007

The tone, which is similar to the ringing in your ears (called tinnitus) after being surrounded by loud music or machinery, is inaudible to most older ears because of the high frequency of the sound. It's a noise, or more politely, a buzz, which comes from the Bluetooth-enabled cell phones of teenagers who want to text message during class without teacher intervention. . . . Sloan, an incoming sophomore at Deshler High School, says that the tone "hurts after a while" but makes text messaging at school a lot easier.  Full Story

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) and Wireless Devices

April 2007

Are you struggling [with] what those T1 to T4 ratings for cell phone and hearing aid compatibility mean, or how the values are derived? This article is designed to help you understand these issues. The use of wireless devices for both personal and business applications continues to rise exponentially in developed and now in many emerging countries. Mobile phone use now exceeds 2 billion customers worldwide, and the market is rapidly approaching 3 billion. Increased capability is being added everywhere to mobile phones.  Full Story