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.

Learn more about hearing aid compatibility and wireless - Brochure (PDF)

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:

Make	Model	3G	Wi-Fi	FCC ID	Rating	Level of Classification**
AT&T (ZTE)	R225			Q78-GR225	M3, T3	Good
AT&T (ZTE)	F160			Q78-ZTEF160	M3, T3	Better
HTC	HD7S (T9295)*			NM8PD29150	M3	Best
HTC	Freestyle (F5151)			NM8PD53100	M3	Better
HTC	Inspire 4G*			NM8PD98120	M3	Best
HTC	Status (PH06130)*			NM8PH06130	M3, T3	Best
HTC	Surround*			NM8PD26100	M3, T3	Best
LG	CF360			BEJCF360	M3, T3	Better
LG	Neon II			BEJGW370	M3	Better
LG	Prime			BEJGS390	M3,T3	Good
Motorola	ATRIX 4G*			IHDP56LS1	M3, T3	Best
Motorola	Flipside (MB508)*			IHDT56LE2	M3, T3	Best
Motorola	Tundra™ (VA76r)			IHDP56HM1	M3, T3	Better
Nokia	6350			QMNRM-455	M3, T3	Better
Palm	Pixi Plus (P121UNA)*			08F-PIXUW	M3, T3	Best
Pantech	Breeze II (P2000)			JYCP2000	M3, T4	Better
Pantech	Breeze III (P2030)			JYCP2030	M3, T4	Better
Pantech	Crossover (P8000)*			JYCP8000	M3, T3	Best
Pantech	Ease (P2020)			JYCP2020	M3, T4	Better
Pantech	Impact™ (P7000)			JYCP7000	M3, T3	Better
Pantech	Link (P7040)			JYCP7040	M3, T3	Better
Pantech	Pursuit (P9020)			JYCP9020	M3, T3	Better
Pantech	Pursuit II (P6010)			JYCP6010	M3, T3	Better
RIM BlackBerry®	Torch (9800)*			L6ARCY70UW	M3, T3	Best
RIM BlackBerry®	Torch (9810)*			L6ARDM70UW	M3, T3	Best
RIM BlackBerry®	Curve (9300)*			L6ARDA70UW	M3, T3	Best
RIM BlackBerry®	Pearl (9100)*			L6ARCV70UW	M3	Best
Samsung	A107			A3LSGHA107	M3, T3	Good
Samsung	A777			A3LSGHA777	M3, T3	Better
Samsung	Captivate (i897)*			A3LSGHI897	M3	Best
Samsung	Focus (i917)*			A3LSGHI917	M3	Best
Samsung	Infuse 4G (i997)*			A3LSGHI997	M3	Best
Samsung	Jack (i637)*			A3LSGHI637	M3	Best
Samsung	Rugby II (a847)			A3LSGHA847	M3, T4	Better
Samsung	Strive (a687)			A3LSGHA687	M3, T4	Better
Sharp	FX			APYNAR0068	M3, T3	Better
Sharp	FX PLUS*			APYNAR0074	M3, T4	Better

* 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 for the customer to try the different features of this phone thoroughly and in different locations, using their hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if they hear any interfering noise.  The customer may request additional information from AT&T sales/Care representative or the manufacturer of this phone concerning hearing aid compatibility. The customer also may have questions about return or exchange policies, so sales/Care representatives need to be prepared to address those.

**The levels are "Good" which depicts devices with basic technology on entry level data speeds, “Better” which depicts devices with advanced technology and/or with advanced functionality, and “Best” which depicts devices with new technology and/or with new functionality that operate on faster data speeds.

Note: The list of hearing aid compatible phones change from time to time. For the most updated list, please contact the National Center for Customers with Disabilities at:
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 and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m. ET.

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 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:

Available TAP plan options for Smartphone and Blackberry Devices:

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