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Customer Support: Consumer Information: Special Needs


Hearing Aid Compatibility

Digital wireless telephones sometimes cause interference because of electromagnetic energy emitted by the telephone’s antenna, backlight, or other components. To address this interference, the FCC has adopted specific hearing aid compatibility rules for digital wireless telephones. The standard for compatibility of digital wireless phones with hearing aids is set forth in American National Standard Institute (ANSI) standard C63.19.

Hearing aids operate in one of two modes – acoustic coupling or telecoil coupling. Thus, the ANSI standard C63.19 contains two sets of standards: an "M" rating from one to four for reduced radio frequency (RF) interference to enable acoustic coupling with hearing aids that do not operate in telecoil mode, and a "T" rating from one to four to enable inductive coupling with hearing aids operating in telecoil mode. A digital wireless handset is considered hearing aid-compatible for acoustic coupling if it meets an "M3" rating and for inductive coupling if it meets a "T3" rating.

Please be aware that some Cincinnati Bell Wireless mobile phones allow users to make voice calls over a wireless broadband internet connection (i.e. Wi-Fi) using what's known as Unlicensed Mobile Access or UMA technology. These phones are identified with "Yes w/ UMA" in the Wi-Fi interface column in the chart below. Please note that such phones have been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies they use (i.e. GSM). However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in these phones that have not been tested yet for use with hearing aids (i.e. Wi-Fi or UMA). It is important to try the different features of these phones to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult with the Cincinnati Bell service representative or the phone manufacturer for information on hearing aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, please consult with a Cincinnati Bell store representative.

Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Phones

Cincinnati Bell Wireless has devised a good/better/best rating system to assist you in determining which CBW handset will best meet your needs. Handsets are separated into each category based on the following three criteria: 1) the HAC rating, as certified by the handset manufacturer, 2) available handset features (e.g. voice, camera phone, WiFi capability, etc.) and 3) the manufacturer's suggested retail price. It's best to try several models before buying to find the best match for use with your hearing aids. You are welcome to visit a Cincinnati Bell store to test a wireless handset with your hearing aid before making a purchase. Simply look for the M3 or T3 rating on the information card for each handset or ask a store representative to try devices that have been designated as "hearing aid compatible."

MANUFACTURER PHONE
MODEL
FCC ID Functionality
Level
HAC
RATING
Air
Interface
Technology
Operating
Frequency
Bands
Wi-Fi
Interface
Alcatel 665 RAD155 Good M3 GSM 850/1900 No
Alcatel OT-800A Tribe RAD106 Good M3 GSM 850/1800/1900 No
Alcatel Tribe Pro OT-802 RAD133 Better M3 GSM 900/1800/1900 No
Alcatel OT-808A RAD119 Good M3 GSM 850/1900 No
Alcatel OT-880A RAD126 Good M3 GSM 850/1900 No
Alcatel OT-888 RAD173 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
Alcatel 981A RAD149 Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Alcatel 901S RAD162 Better M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Alcatel 909S RAD183 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Cincinnati Bell HALO Z5JA58W Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 No
Cincinnati Bell W110 WLPW110CBW Good M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 No
Alcatel 990S RAD159 Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Dell Venue Pro E2KV02S002 Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
HTC Panache NM8PD15100 Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
HTC Radar PI06110 Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
HTC Sensation 4G PG58100 Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Huawei U7519 Tap QISU7519 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
LG P999 (G2X) BEJP999DW Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Motorola Murano A45 Eco IHDP56KH1 Better M3 GSM 850-1900 No
Motorola WX345 Finch IHDP56LJ5 Better M3/T3 GSM 850,1900 No
Motorola w510 IHDT56HB2 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
Motorola v306 IHDT56GN1 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
Nokia 2720 QTLRM-520 Good M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
Nokia 3710 PPIRM-509 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
Nokia 3555 QMNRM-257 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
Pantech C530 JYCc530 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 No
RIM 8220 L6ARBY40GW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 Yes
RIM 8900 L6ARBZ40GW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 Yes
RIM 9100 L6ARCX70UW Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
RIM 9300 L6ARDB70UW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes w/ UMA
RIM Onyx 9700 L6ARCN70UW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
RIM 9780 L6ARCN70UW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes w/ UMA
RIM 9810 L6AREN71UW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
RIM 9860 L6ARDQ70UW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
RIM 9900 L6ARDV70UW Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Samsung Nexus S 9020 A3LGTI9020T Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Samsung SGH-T369 A3LSGHT369 Good M3/T4 GSM 850-1900 No
Samsung SGH-T459A A3LSGHT459 Better M3 GSM 850-1900 No
Samsung t406 A3LSGHT409 Better M3/T3 GSM 850-1900 Yes w/UMA
Samsung t749 A3LSGHT749 Better M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 No
Samsung t759 A3LSGHT759 Best M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Samsung t959 Vibrant A3LSGHT959 Best M3/T3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes
Sharp Jump APYNAR0065 Better M3 GSM 850-1900, 1700/2100 Yes