How is a consumer to know which cell phones work best with their hearing aids?  The terminology and rating system of hearing aids and cell phones can be a bit confusing.  Hopefully this article will help to clarify the issue.  I make no promises though.

Hearing aids and cell phones have an “M” and a “T” rating.  The M rating represents the microphone interference potential, and the T rating represents the telecoil coupling capability.  Without getting too technical, a telecoil is basically a part in many hearing aids that allows them to switch to a phone mode when a telephone comes near.

The M rating can be M1, M2, M3, or M4 with M1 being the least compatible and an M4 being the most.  Likewise a T1 rating is the least telecoil coupling compatibility rating and a T4 the most.  The rule of thumb is you add the M ratings of the cell phone and the hearing aids together.  Similarly, you add the T ratings of the cell phone and the hearing aids together.  In general, if the sum of the M and T ratings is M5 and T5 or better, then you have a good likelihood of success.

Now you are probably asking, “How in the world would I know the M and T ratings of my hearing aids.”  In short, we can help with that.  Just give us a call to set up an appointment with one of our staff members for a free assessment of your hearing aid M and T statistics.

In addition, below are two links.  The first is a list of over 100 cell phones which are known to have the highest hearing aid compatibility rating available.  The second is a link for “How to Buy a Cell Phone when You Have a Hearing Loss”

http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_treatment/cellphones.cfm

http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_treatment/hearing_aids/Cell_phones_and_hearing_aids.pdf