Hearing Aid Compatible Phones

Affinity4 has included in its wireless phone line-up handsets that meet or exceed the ANSI (American National Standards Institute) hearing aid compatibility standard. We offer HAC-compliant handsets and devices in all major price categories, including low-cost ("C" level; basic handsets; <$100); moderate-cost ("B" level; medium handsets, camera/text/some media; $100-$250); and high-end/feature-rich ("A" level; advanced, smartphones and similar handsets; >$250). Costs generally correlate with the number of features, but, if though experience, Affinity4 finds that a certain handset contains features that work well with hearing aids, such as volume control, it will be labeled accordingly with an "A" level for functionality. Affinity4’s sales staff is trained to assist all existing and prospective customers looking for a HAC-compliant device/handset. HAC-compatible handsets and devices vary in their inherent "levels of functionality," but typically at least one (1) HAC-compliant handset/device with features and services typical of its price category can be found that meets each customer’s price range.

Ratings:

Hearing aids do not always function well with wireless handsets. Hearing aids operate by using a microphone to pick up sound waves, converting the sound waves into electrical signals to be amplified. Distortion or amplification of unwanted sound (noise) often occurs.
The FCC’s hearing aid compatibility requirements address hearing aids that operate in either of two modes – acoustic coupling ("M" rating) or inductive coupling ("T" rating). Hearing aids operating in acoustic coupling mode receive through a microphone and then amplify all sounds surrounding the user, including both desired sounds, such as a telephone’s audio signal, and unwanted ambient noise. Hearing aids operating in inductive coupling mode turn off the microphone to avoid amplifying unwanted ambient noise, instead using a telecoil to receive only audio signal-based magnetic fields generated by inductive coupling-capable telephones. The FCC’s "M" and "T" ratings indicate whether a handset can be expected to function well with a hearing aid and are generally marked clearly on the handset packaging. The "M" or "T" rating does not guarantee that the handset will function without distortion or noise. Please contact Affinity4 Wireless Customer Service at 1-800-800-7550 with any questions or concerns regarding your handset.

M-Ratings – Microphone Standard: Reduced Hearing Aid Device Interference

M3 rating indicates the phone has met the ANSI standard;

M4 rating indicates the phone has exceeded the ANSI standard.

T-Ratings – Telecoil Standard: Compatible with Hearing Aids with Telecoils

T3 rating indicates the phone has met the ANSI standard;

T4 rating indicates the phone has exceeded the ANSI standard.

A list of Affinity4 devices and their ratings is shown below.
HAC ratings are also available under each phone description. Go to Phones, click on the phone you are interested in, click on the tab "Features".

These handsets have been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that they use. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in these phones that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of these phones thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Contact Affinity4 or the manufacturer of the handset for information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, please contact Affinity4 Customer Service at 1-800-800-7550.