| After February 18, 2008 most major wireless | | | | provide more distance between the users hearing aid |
| companies will have switched to an all digital network | | | | and the transmission components of the cell phone |
| in the US. This switch spelled the end of the oldest US | | | | thus reducing interference. |
| cell phone technology, "Advanced Mobile Phone | | | | Consider a cell phone that offers a built in vibrating |
| Services", otherwise known as AMPS. The newer | | | | alert which is often preferred by those with hearing |
| digital phones which the majority of cellular customers | | | | impairment. |
| already had, allow services to handle a significantly | | | | Select a cell phone with a high "M" rating. Both cell |
| larger volume of simultaneous calls, provide better | | | | phones and hearing aids have an "M" (microphone |
| voice quality, and give users the ability to transfer data | | | | setting) and a "T" (telecoil setting) rating. Users should |
| via e-mails, text messages, and so forth. | | | | compare ratings based on which setting they use on |
| Unfortunately, these newer phones also use higher | | | | their hearing aid while using the cell phone. The higher |
| frequencies which are more likely to interfere with | | | | the rating, the better the device should work with the |
| hearing aids. The interference often creates a buzzing | | | | other. Optimally, a cell phone would have a rating of at |
| sound, making cell phone signals more difficult to hear. | | | | least M3/T3 or M4/T4. Shoppers can add the rating of |
| With AMPS disappearing, hearing aid wearers will | | | | the prospective cell phone to that of their hearing aid |
| generally be unable to make use of this lower | | | | to get a combined rating. The preferred combined |
| frequency option any longer. | | | | rating should be 6 or better for satisfactory results. |
| However, some digital phone models do offer a viable | | | | For those who use a "T", telecoil, setting on their |
| alternative. Determining which cell phone will be a good | | | | hearing aid, a neckloop should be consider which would |
| choice for those wearing a hearing aid has been made | | | | allow handsfree use in the car, and, would provide the |
| easier based on rating systems that have been | | | | added benefit of creating more distance between the |
| implemented industry wide. | | | | transmission components of the cell phone and the |
| Here are some considerations: | | | | hearing aid itself. Use of the "T" setting on the hearing |
| Select a cell phone with an easy to use volume | | | | aid by itself can help to reduce feedback and |
| control. | | | | background noise. |
| Select a phone which allows the backlighting to be | | | | Sources:consumeraffairs.com/news04/2006/10 |
| turned off, as backlighting itself can create additional | | | | cell_phones_amps.htmlfcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts |
| interference for anyone using the telecoil setting on | | | | analogcellphone.htmltap.gallaudet.edu/voice |
| their hearing aid. | | | | DigitalCellFAQ.aspaccesswireless. |
| Select a "clam shell" or "flip" phone. These phones | | | | |