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.
Testing has shown that the following devices tend to perform better with hearing aids:
The Levels of Functionality explanation is as follows: “Good” depicts devices with basic technology on entry level data speeds; “Better” depicts devices with advanced technology and/or with advanced functionality; and “Best” depicts devices with new technology and/or with new functionality that operate on faster data speeds.
| Make | Model | 3G | Wi-Fi | FCC ID | Rating |
Level of Classification
|
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| HP | IPAQ Glisten (KB1) |  |
|
B94HHP21C | M3, T3 |
Best
|
| HTC | Tilt 2 | |
|
BEJCF360 | M3, T3 |
Best
|
| LG | CF360 | |
BEJCF360 | M3,T3 |
Better
|
|
| Motorola | Backflip (MRUQ7) | |
|
1HDP56KD1 | M3 |
Best
|
| Motorola | EM330 | IHDP56JJ1 | M3, T3 |
Good
|
||
| Motorola | Karma™ (QA1) | |
IHDT56KE1 | M3 |
Better
|
|
| Motorola | Tundra™ (VA76r) | |
IHDP56HM1 | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| Nokia | 2720 | QTLRM-520 | M3, T3 |
Good
|
||
| Nokia | 6350 | |
QMNRM-455 | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| Nokia | Mural™ (6750) | |
QMNRM-381 | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| Pantech | Breeze™ (C520) | JYCC520 | M3, T3 |
Good
|
||
| Pantech | Impact™ (P7000) | |
JYCP7000 | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| Pantech | Reveal™ (C790) | |
JYCC790 | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| RIM BlackBerry® | Bold™ (9700) | |
|
L6ARCM70UW | M3, T3 |
Best
|
| RIM BlackBerry® | Curve™ 8310 | L6ARBN40GW | M3, T3 |
Better
|
||
| RIM BlackBerry® | Curve™ 8320* | |
L6ARBJ40GW | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| RIM BlackBerry® | Curve™ 8900 | |
L6ARBZ40GW | M3 |
Better
|
|
| Samsung | a167 | A3LSGHA167 | M3, T3 |
Good
|
||
| Samsung | a777 | |
A3LSGHA777 | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| Samsung | Strive (a687) | |
A3LSGHA687 | M3, T4 |
Better
|
|
| Samsung | Flight (a797) | |
A3LSGHA797 | M3, T3 |
Best
|
|
| Samsung | Jack (i637) | |
A3LSGHI637 | M3 |
Better
|
|
| Samsung | Mythic (a897) | |
A3LSGHA897 | M3 |
Best
|
|
| Samsung | Propel™ (A767) | |
A3LSGHA767 | M3, T4 |
Better
|
|
| Samsung | Propel™ Pro (i627) | |
|
A3LSGHI627 | M3 |
Best
|
| Samsung | Rugby™ (A837) | |
A3LSGHA837 | M3, T3 |
Better
|
|
| Sony Ericsson | W518a | |
PY7A3880017 | M3, T4 |
Better
|
*NOTE: This phone has been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that it uses. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in this phone that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of this phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult the NCCD about its return and exchange policies and for information on hearing aid compatibility.
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 8 a.m. to 1 a.m. ET, Monday through Friday and on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 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.
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.
Using Hearing Aid Mode on the Nokia 6102h
The Nokia 6102h has a special hearing aid setting that you can choose to optimize performance with a hearing aid. To enable this mode:
- Select the Menu key.
- Navigate to the "Settings" icon and press the Select key.
- Scroll down until "Enhancements" is highlighted and press the Select key.
- Scroll down until "Hearing aid" is highlighted and press the Select key.
- "Hearing aid mode" will be highlighted. Press the Select Key.
- "On" will be highlighted. Press the Select key.
- You will see a confirmation box display "Hearing aid mode activated."
- An ear icon always displays when hearing aid mode is active.
NOTE: Operating the Nokia 6102h in hearing aid mode reduces transmit power and may reduce coverage.
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 offer our Text Accessibility Plans (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.
Available TAP plan options for non-Smartphone/iPhone/Blackberry devices:
|
TAP
|
TAP M2M
(Mobile to Mobile) |
TAP Unlimited
|
|---|---|---|
| $29.99 Monthly Charge | $34.99 Monthly Charge | $40.00 Monthly Charge |
| National Coverage | National Coverage | National Coverage |
| Unlimited Internet Usage | Unlimited Internet Usage | Unlimited Internet Usage |
| 5000 Text Messages | 5000 Text Messages | Unlimited Text Messages |
| Unlimited M2M Text Messages | ||
| $.40 pay-per-use voice | $.40 pay-per-use voice | $.40 pay-per-use voice |
Available TAP plan options for Smartphone and Blackberry Devices:
|
BlackBerry®/Smartphone Unlimited Text plus 200MB Internet & E-Mail
|
BlackBerry®/Smartphone Unlimited Text plus 2GB Internet & E-Mail
|
BlackBerry®/Smartphone Unlimited Text plus 2GB Internet & E-Mail
|
|---|---|---|
| $35.00 Monthly Charge | $45.00 Monthly Charge | $65.00 Monthly Charge |
| DataPlus 200MG Internet & E-Mail ($15 200MB Overage)* | DataPro 2GB Internet & E-Mail ($10 1GB Overage)* | DataPro 2GB Internet,E-Mail, and Tethering ($10 1GB Overage)* |
| Unlimited Text Messages | Unlimited Text Messages | Unlimited Text Messages |
| Visual Voicemail | Visual Voicemail | Visual Voicemail |
| $.40 per minute for voice calls | $.40 per minute for voice calls | $.40 per minute for voice calls |
These TAP plans are available on select consumer devices. Please check with our National Call Center for Customers with Disabilities for available devices. For information on TAP plans available for iPhone™, see Text Accessibility Plan for iPhone.
*Existing Smartphone subscribers who already have a Smartphone data unlimited plan on their account will be allowed to keep their existing data plan should they choose, even if upgrading their device to another Smartphone and/or extending their contract. However, should they choose to move to a new lower-priced option, they can not go back to their old unlimited plan in the future. All NEW activations or new-to-smartphone upgrades must choose one of the above.
All customers interested in any of the TAP plans will need to qualify for these plans by completing the Text Accessibility Plan (TAP) Application and Certification Form, (TAP_disability_certification_form.PDF, 115 KB).
Handset availability and pricing is subject to change.
To learn more about TAP, contact AT&T at NCCDSupport@att.com or call our National Center for Customers with Disabilities at:
1-866-241-6567 (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 two 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
