[Ann Reflection] Using (Cell) Phones: FCC mandates ANSI C63.19
the following info comes from Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
FCC Mandates Cell Phone Compatibility with Hearing Aids- ANSI C63.19
FCC Mandates Cell Phone Compatibility with Hearing Aids- ANSI C63.19 March 22, 2007 // Published as a news service by IHS Mobile phone manufacturers have one year to comply with a US Federal Communications Commission (FCC) mandate requiring mobile handsets built or used in the US to comply with the American national standard for cell phone-hearing aid compatibility. Issued in 2003, the mandate is intended to ensure that new mobile phones available on the market are accessible to individuals using hearing aids. According to the American National Standards Institute (ANSI), mobile phone manufacturers and service providers will have to ensure that at least 50% of all handsets marketed in the US meet the requirements of ANSI C63.19:2006 - Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between Wireless Communications Devices and Hearing Aids by Feb. 18, 2008. Approved as an American national standard in 2001, ANSI C63.19 was developed by the ANSI Accredited Standards Committee (ASC) C63 on electromagnetic compatibility, a group administered by the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE). A measurement standard for hearing aid compatibility with wireless communications devices, ANSI C63.19-2006 aims to achieve an acceptable level of performance between cell phones and hearing aids by reducing the interference of radio frequency emissions. The standard defines emissions and immunity-to-interference requirements, as well as test methods to determine the level of interoperability between the devices. The standard is intended to apply to all types of hearing aids with acoustic output. According to ANSI, an estimated 28 million Americans have some degree of hearing impairment; by 2030, this number is expected to double. The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act) directed the FCC to ensure that all telephones manufactured or imported for use in the US, and all "essential" telephones - including phones provided for emergency use, coin-operated phones and phones in the workplace, hospitals, nursing homes and hotel rooms - be hearing aid-compatible. The increasing reliance on wireless mobile phones for business and personal use, coupled with the growing number of technologically-savvy baby boomers, led the FCC to put pressure on wireless carriers and equipment manufacturers to increase the number of hearing aid-compatible wireless phones available on the market.
IEEE C63.19 2007-JAN-01 • Active/Current • Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between Wireless Communications Devices and Hearing Aids This standard applies to both wireless communications devices (WDs) and hearing aids. It sets forth uniform methods of measurement and parametric requirements for the electromagnetic and operational compatibility and accessibility of hearing aids used with WDs, including cordless, cellular, personal communications service (PCS) phones, and voice over internet protocol (VoIP) devices, operating in the range of 800 MHz to 3 GHz. However, this version is focused on existing services, which are in common use. Accordingly, in this version tests are provided for services in the 800 MHz to 950 MHz and 1.6 GHz to 2.5 GHz frequency bands. Future versions may add test for other frequency bands, as they come into more common use. This standard is intended to apply to all types of hearing aids with acoustic output, including, as examples, behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), and completely-in-the-canal (CIC) types. Test methods are provided for hearing aids operating in acoustic (microphone input) mode or in T-Coil input mode. The field levels called for in various places shall be maintained within the limits for radio frequency (RF) safety, set forth in ANSI C95.1-1999.1
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[Ann Reflection] Using (Cell) Phones: How to buy one that is
hearing aid compatible and adapt hearing aids to it
How to Buy a Hearing Aid Compatible Cellphone
The following info come from Western Institute of Deaf and Hard of Hearing.
There are so many cellphones on the market these days, it can be overwhelming when it comes to finding a phone appropriate for you. Following are some tips on what to look for in a cellphone so that it will be hearing aid compatible. Look for a Cellphone with a rating of AT LEAST M3/T3 In the US all cellphones are tested for hearing aid compatibility. The M# represents how well the cellphone will work with a hearing aid in microphone mode. M1 is the lowest rating and is an indication of high interference. M4 is the highest rating and indicates low interference. The T# rating represents how well the cellphone will work with a heairng aid in T-Coil mode. Again T1 is the lowest rating and T4 is the highest. The whereabouts of this information differs with all cellphone manufacturers. Commonly it can be found on the display card next to the device, on the product packaging, or in the phone manual. Some websites such as PhoneScoop maintain a database of this information. (note: when you go to the website, type in the name of the phone in the Jump to a phone box - top right of main screen. When the phone information comes up scroll down to features and click on 'show missing features'. You will find the M/T rating under Accessibility, Hearing Aid Compatible) Choose a Provider that Uses CDMA rather than GSM In Canada, both Telus and Bell operate on the CDMA network. Rogers, Fido and all other carriers operate on the GSM network. Phones connected to the CDMA network will interfere less with your hearing aid. Choose a "Flip" Style Phone A cellphone's antenna is a significant source of interference. Generally speaking, the antenna on a flip phone will be positioned farther from the speaker than on a candy bar phone. Be wary of phones with no visible antenna. Find a Phone with a Smaller LCD Screen The screen is also a significant source of interference. Often phones with very large or multiple LCD screens (such as iPhones etc)will have low M# ratings. Look for a phone with one small screen. Be Mindful of the Cellphone's Outer Casing There is a growing trend towards manufacturing metallic phones. The idea being that a metal phone is stronger when dropped than a plastic phone. While this is all well and good, metal phones will not work as well with your hearing aid. Try Before You Buy In the US it is mandatory that all phone retailers have a 'live' phone in store for you to try. Unfortunately, this is not the case in Canada. Still, many retailers will have working phones to demo. Test that the volume is adequate, and that you can hear clearly on microphone and T-Coil modes. Know the Return Policy In store testing is no substitute for the real world. Be sure to try the phone in a variety of listening situations: at home; in the car; at a noisy restaurant etc. Usually the return policy is based on both days and usage. Ensure that you have adequate time to do your own testing, and can exchange the phone if it is unsuitable for your needs. Look for a Headset Jack and Bluetooth Connectivity There are several accessories designed to assist you in hearing on a cellphone. Almost all of these rely on either a 2.5mm headset jack or Bluetooth connection. If your phones has these useful features, you will have a lot more options to assist you. Two of the most common accessories that you can plug into the 2.5mm jack are: 1. Silhouette cord - a small thin piece of plastic is worn behind your ear, beside your behind-the-ear hearing aid. It emits a magnetic field and transmits the signal from the phone to your hearing aid when the hearing aid is on the t-coil setting. The silhouette cord has a microphone for handsfree operation. 2. Neckloop - a 'necklace' style cord you wear around your neck. The neckloop emits a magnetic field and transmits the signal from the phone to your hearing aid while the hearing aid is on the t-coil mode. The neckloop as a microphone for handsfree operation. Note custom hearing aids with t-coils are not always stong enough to use with a neckloop - you may have better success with a silhouette cord in these cases.
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[Ann Reflection] Using (Cell) Phones: Voicemail for Deaf People
(Telus Relay Service)
Voicemail for Deaf People
The following is the info from Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing:
Hi my name is Janice Jickels. I work at the Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing as head of the interpreting department. I'd like to share with you some information, maybe its information you already know about, but I want to make sure the word gets out. Many deaf people have cell phones or blackberries, or devices from Telus, Bell, Fido, Rogers etc. Deaf people have been frustrated with voicemail. You know what voicemail is, it's like the answering machine function on a TTY, except it is spoken language left on your cell phone, we can't hear the message and we tend to ignore them. Cell phones and blackberries also have feature on a called voicemail. Now how can you use your voicemail feature? First you need to set up a voicemail account, contact your provider, and ask to have voicemail added to your phone. There is a small monthly charge for that service. Once you have added voicemail you need to open the account and personalize it. You can do that by calling TRS, ask the operators to call the number provided to you by your cell phone company to access your voicemail. The operator will then call the voicemail number, and you will have several options to choose from. The option you choose is “I want to set up my voicemail” you will be given an option to record a greeting, the TRS operator will do that for you. You can pick a standard greeting or personalized greeting. You will find that you already have a password as part of setup the voicemail, use that password. The TRS operator will set up the greeting then your voicemail is activated and ready to go. If a hearing person calls your phone they will leave a voice message in the normal way and you will see on your phone “new voicemail.” To retrieve that message, call 711 (Telus Relay Service) give the Telus operator the phone number the company provides to access voicemail, and your name and password. Then the operator will type the messages that are recorded on your voicemail. And that's all! The TRS operator will ask you if you want to delete or save the current message. You have the ability to save the message as long as you want on your cell phone. This is a great feature for deaf people because hearing people will be able to leave voicemail messages in the normal way, and we have the ability to retrieve those using TRS or any other relay service. It is great to share this information because we're all trying to get equal access, and you know how many of us get frustrated explain how to use TRS services, but now we can retrieve our own messages directly. It's a great thing! Many hearing people feel uncomfortable with having to go through a two step process. But now you don't have to bother with that explanation. You just give them your cell phone number. It becomes the deaf persons responsibility to collect their messages, But that's already a big improvement, imagine if your trying to leave a contact number for a family member or employer, you just have to give them one phone number they can leave their message. If you have any questions or want to share any tips with me, you can e-mail me at jjickels@telus.net or you can contact me through videophone it is 24.85.225.129
Thank you!
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[Ann Reflection] How to Make Paper Balloon Lanterns
As fans of lantern making and lantern-making, I bet you already know how to make paper balloon lanterns. If you don’t, you can follow the instruction here, or attending our workshop:
Once you master this basic balloon lantern, you can make lovely puffy fish, angry bird, monkey, rabbit, bee, flower, eerie robot or insect! You name it.
Here are some examples what others start with balloon lantern:
Send us the picture of your creation too so we can post it here :>
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-- Posted By Blogger to Ann Reflection at 8/31/2011 05:14:00 PM
[Ann Reflection] Communition Strategy for hearing impaired:
Visualizing the S...
Tuesday Tips: Planning Ahead – Visualizing the Scenario
Imagine you were visiting Montreal and you know some French, enough to get by. However, you haven’t used your French in eons. You want to go to a local boulangerie to buy some fresh baguettes. If you’re like me, you would practice in your head exactly what you want to say (I want one baguette, please – en francais, of course). Then you are going to practice what they might say back to you (That will be $4.95 – again, en francais). Of course, you may want to practice something that’s totally off topic (Where did you get that dress), but that wouldn’t fit the context (or maybe it will). Visualization is a technique that is often used by athletes in preparation for difficult maneuvers. We can use the same when approaching difficult communication situations.
- Envision the scenario that is about to happen. Important visual and aural cues are missing with hearing loss, but the brain can fill in the gaps if you know what is happening. - Anticipate what is going to be said. In a place like boulangerie, there are certain phrases that are commonly used. Practice those phrases. The practice would help your brain to be prepared for what is about to be said. - Different situations means different possibilities. So what you might expect in the bakery would be different from what is said in a doctor’s office from what is said in a restaurant. Context is everything. Visualize the scenario and anticipate the speech and your brain will be warmed up for each and every difficult situation. Just like many things, planning ahead can help you to avoid unwanted pitfalls.
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-- Posted By Blogger to Ann Reflection at 8/30/2011 07:00:00 AM
[Ann Reflection] Ann's fish lantern will be at fringe
festival in Centenn...
Ann's fish lantern will be at fringe festival in Centennial Square tonight :> See the full gallery on Posterous
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-- Posted By Blogger to Ann Reflection at 8/23/2011 03:03:00 PM
[Ann Reflection] How technologies shape our health care? Health
avatar? Tailo...
How technologies shape our health care? Health avatar? Tailored therapy according to dna? Doc get paid by outcome? shaphttp://www.fastcompany.com/1773215/six-major-disruptions-still-to-come-in-health-care Posted via email from Ann Reflection
-- Posted By Blogger to Ann Reflection at 8/16/2011 11:53:00 AM
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