[Ann Reflection] Which cell phone in Canada have hearing aid compatibities?
Beside microphone volume, and sound clarity, radio frequency
interference from the cellular phone with hearing aids is a huge
obstacle for hearing aid users.

Some cell phone create a magnetic field that can be coupled with a
telecoil-equipped hearing aid while some other fails. In the United
States, the Federal Communications Commission ( FCC ) has mandated that
cell phones have to test for hearing aid compatibilities and report
microphone ( M ) rating and the telecoil coupling ( T or t - coil )
rating. The scale for hearing aid compatibility ranges from one to four
providing four possibilities: shaky ( M1 or T1 ), fair ( M2 or T2 ),
good ( M3 or T3 ), and excellent ( M4 or T4 ). Canada does not have
this regulation.

In preparation to get myself a new cellular phone, to replace the one
that I lost, I asked telus, who still carries my contract, for a list
of dealer who have workable demo. So I can go and test them with my
hearing aids before spenting money. The link of dealer that the
representative sent me was not accompanied with information of which
dealers have workable demo. I went to dealers and they have dummy phone
only. As a person with hearing impairment, I have difficulty phoning
the dealers one by one to ask if they have workable demo. Plus, I am
not allowed to "test" the phone without actually buying the phone,
which is very inconsiderate.

I did some internet research and find that both motorola krzr and
BlackBerry(r) Pearl(tm) Flip 8230 smartphone have hearing aid
compatibility (HAC) of M3, which is great.

However, the dealer was unheard of this terminology.

Due to the bad experience with cell phones, I was not willing to commit
more of my money before having trials on them. Therefore, I chose
Motorola krzr, which is a "pay and talk" phone on sale. However, I
would like to make use of the text-based communication (email,
messaging) which is offered by BlackBerry(r) Pearl(tm) Flip 8230, and
are much more useful for me, if I can have trial on them first before
being committed for another 3-year contract.

Oh, there are some links I found from my internet research.

Western Institute for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Page on how to buy
hearing aid compatible phone

http://widhh.blogspot.com/2008/09/how-to-buy-hearing-aid-compatible.html




Motorola's page on HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY

http://direct.motorola.com/ens/accessibility/Hearingaid.html



Experience No Interference by Using Hearing Aid Compatible Cell Phones

http://www.articlesbase.com/diseases-and-conditions-articles/experience-no-interference-by-using-hearing-aid-compatible-cell-phones-514101.html




Hearing loss group complains to FCC about iPhone:
They want Apple to make it usable for those with hearing aids

http://www.computerworld.com/action/article.do?command=viewArticleBasic&articleId=9037999



iPhone and M3/M4 hearing-aid compatibility?

http://theappleblog.com/2007/02/26/iphone-and-m3m4-hearing-aid-compatibility/


I strongly suggest that Telus mobility put a summary page on their web
site about hearing aid compatibility (HAC) on their line of phone.
Since they are one of the two CDMA providers in Canada, hearing-aid
users turn to CDMS providers for their portable communication needs.
(Yes, CSM providers are rule out, because of the interference of the
phones with hearing aids). Please be considerate for hearing aids user.
They are a growing consumer population and willing to spend money on
accessories to make their phone works for them. People who posted on
the above website have buy bluetooth device, conducing neckloops,
captioning service, and visual voicemail. By introducing hearing aid
compatible phone and making their informationeasier to find, the
business of Telus or Bell business will expand despite the depression.


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Posted By Ann Chou to Ann Reflection at 4/12/2009 10:12:00 PM