Monday, April 29, 2013

How to Buy a Hearing Aid Compatible Cell Phone

Buying a cell phone that works well with hearing aids is a valid concern for many hearing instrument users. The Better Hearing Institute has published some great information on how to buy a cell phone that is compatible with hearing aids. Here's some tips they offer:

  • Buy a cell phone that has M3 or M4 and T3 or T4 ratings
    • The "M" rating represent microphone interference potential 
    • The "T" rating represents the telecoil coupling capability of the cell phone
  • Purchase a hearing instrument and cell phone combination with an "M" score that adds up to "5."
    • This will help ensure that the cell phone will not interfere with the programming of the hearing aids.
  • Purchase a cell phone with CDMA transmission technology. 
    • Cell phones with this type of transmission technology will have a M3 or M4 rating.
    • Cell phones equipped with GSM transmission technology are limited to a M3 rating.
For a list of BHI's hearing aid compatible cell phones, click here.

For BHI's publication entitled "How to Buy a Cell Phone When You Have a Hearing Loss" (the article from which this information is taken), click here.




Image provided courtesy of graur codrin of freedigitalphotos.net

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