Hearing Aid Compatibility
AT&T strives to provide hearing aid users with the most compatible wireless device possible.
- About Hearing Aid Compatibility
- Compatible Phones and Devices
- Options for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
About Hearing Aid Compatibility
As wireless carriers move from analog to digital services, accessibility for the deaf and hard of hearing is a concern. Digital technology means more features and improved efficiency—but some digital phones can cause interference for hearing aid users.
To make sure the deaf and hard of hearing can use digital wireless devices, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) updated the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 ("HAC Act”), passing regulations to increase the number of hearing aid-compatible wireless devices.
Along with many others in the wireless industry, we strive to ensure accessibility for all individuals, including deaf and hard of hearing consumers.
Learn more about hearing aid compatibility and wireless.
Compatible Phones and Devices*
We work closely with handset vendors to improve the user experience of customers who have hearing aids. Pursuant to FCC guidelines, the handsets listed below have been tested and rated for Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC). These HAC ratings, or "M-Ratings" and "T-Ratings," help hearing aid users find the best phone for their needs.
The list of compatible handsets changes from time to time and this Web site is updated on a regular basis. For the most current list of phones, please call the National Center for Customers with Disabilities, NCCD:
Voice calls: 1-866-241-6568
TTY calls: 1-866-241-6567
The NCCD is available from 7 a.m. to 9 p.m. ET, Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. ET.
Specialists at AT&T's National Center for Customers with Disabilities (NCCD), 1-866-241-6568 (voice) or 1-866-241-6567 (TTY), can also help you select the best devices for your needs. They may also give you suggestions on how to minimize interference with your particular device.
Testing has shown that the following devices tend to perform better with hearing aids:
| Make | Model | SKU# | Rating | Where to Purchase |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| LG | C2000 | 63986 | M3, T3 | NCCD |
| Motorola | V3i/ | 64449 | M3, T3 | NCCD |
| Samsung | A707 Gray A707 Gray AT&T A707 Red A707 Red AT&T A707 Blue A707 Blue AT&T |
64627 64661 64639 64663 64638 64662 |
M3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Motorola | V3xx Dark Gray V3xx AT&T Dark Gray V3xx Gold V3xx Gold AT&T V3xx Platinum V3xx Bubble Gum Pink V3xx Red |
64631 |
M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Samsung | A717 | M3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
|
| Nokia | 6085 | 64687 | M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Nokia | 6555 Black 6555 Red 6555 Gold |
64731 64767 64766 |
M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Sony Ericsson | Z310a Black Z310a Pink |
64732 64733 |
M3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| LG | CE110 | 64736 | M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| RIM | Curve 8310 Titanium Curve 8310 Red |
64768 64470 |
M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Motorola | V3 Blue V3 Black V3 Pink |
64757 64758 64754 |
M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Sony Ericsson | W580i White W580i Gray W580i Black |
64734 64735 64745 |
M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| LG | CU515 | 64743 | M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Samsung | A737 Blue/Steel A737 Red A737 Orange A737 Lime |
64746 64748 64747 64771 |
M3, T3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
| Samsung | A747 SLM Brown A747 SLM Blue |
64772 64789 |
M3 | NCCD www.wireless.att Company Owned Stores |
M-Ratings and Hearing Aid Immunity
Phones with an M-Rating of M3 or M4 meet FCC requirements and are less likely to generate interference to hearing devices than phones that are not labeled. M4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.
Hearing devices may also be measured for immunity to this type of interference. Your hearing device manufacturer or hearing health professional can help you find results for your hearing device. The more immune your hearing aid is, the less likely you are to experience interference noise from mobile phones.
T-Ratings and Compatibility with Hearing Aids with Telecoils
A telecoil is a small device that is built into some hearing aids for use with the telephone as well as assistive listening devices. Not all hearing aids have telecoils. Phones with a T-Rating of T3 or T4 meet FCC requirements and are more likely to work well for people who use hearing aids with telecoils with telephones. T4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.
Try Before You Buy
Hearing loss and hearing aids are highly individualized so customer who use hearing aids are encouraged to try hearing aid compatible phones at AT&T owned and operated stores to determine which phones will work best for them. Find an AT&T store with Live Bar near you.
Options for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing
Text Messaging
Today's wireless devices are light, mobile, and packed with features to make writing easier. Some have full QWERTY keyboards and almost all have predictive text for faster typing. Bluetooth enabled phones and wireless keyboards are also ideal for high-volume texters.
Learn more about our text messaging solutions.
Text Accessibility Plan (TAP)
AT&T is pleased to announce a new Text Accessibility Plan (TAP). TAP was developed for people who are deaf, hard of hearing, or have a speech disability and/or hearing loss, and was designed with input from the community.
The $29.99 per month Text Accessibility Plan (TAP) includes:
-
5,000 text messages
-
Unlimited Internet usage
-
$.40 pay per use voice
Need more messages? Add unlimited mobile to mobile messaging for an additional $5.00 per month.
With a two-year commitment, AT&T also offers the Nokia E62 model at $199.00. Handset availability and pricing is subject to change. The TAP plan and the TAP plan with unlimited mobile to mobile is compatible with all devices except Blackberry's and the iPhone.
To learn more about TAP, contact AT&T at NCCDSupport@cingular.com or call our National Center for Customers with Disabilities at:
1-866-241-6567 (TTY)
1-866-691-7265 (alternate TTY)
1-866-241-6568 (Voice)
Digital Hearing Aids
New digital hearing aids are designed to be more usable with wireless devices that offer reduced interference.
Up-and-Coming Technologies
Of the more than 2 million hearing aids sold in 2004, sixty to eighty percent (60-80%) were designed to increase immunity to interference.
The wireless industry is exploring new technology solutions for improving communication for deaf and hard of hearing people, such as:
- Mobile videophones for signing
- Interactive text services (character-by-character text recognition)
- Mobile-terminated TTY