Affinity Cellular Hearing Aid Compatibility

Information For Customers That Are Deaf Or Hard Of Hearing

Last updated August 30, 2019


Hearing Aid Compatible Phones

Some people that use hearing aid devices may experience difficulties when using a wireless phone. The wireless industry and consumer groups representing the hard of hearing have been working for years to study this matter and develop standards and solutions to reduce the likelihood of such difficulties. In addition the Federal Communications Commission has set forth requirements for wireless carriers and the wireless device manufacturers. Much progress has been made and there are now a large number of hearing aid compatible (HAC) devices available to customers. To see a list of hearing aid compatible devices from Affinity Cellular, see below. These HAC ratings can also be found on Affinity Cellular's web site. There are two different ratings to consider when picking a hearing aid compatible device:


M-Ratings - Reduced Hearing Aid Device Interference

Some people with a hearing aid device experience a buzzing or whining noise when using a wireless phone. This noise is caused when the electronics within the hearing aid device pick up and demodulate radio frequency (RF) and/or electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted by the phone. 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 and other sources of RF/EMI such as computer monitors and florescent lighting.


T-Ratings - Compatible 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. T4 is the better/higher of the two ratings. More information about hearing aid compatible cell phones can be found here.


Try Before You Buy

Because user experiences are varied and highly individualized, Affinity Cellular recommends customers try several hearing aid compatible phones to determine which phones will work best for them.

Brand Model M3 M4 T4 T3 Type
Alcatel A30 SMART
Alcatel A30 Plus SMART
Apple iPhone 4 SMART
Apple iPhone 5 SMART
Apple iPhone 5C SMART
Apple iPhone 5S SMART
Apple iPhone 6 SMART
Apple iPhone 6 PLUS SMART
Apple iPhone 6S SMART
Apple iPhone 7 SMART
Apple iPhone X SMART
Apple iPhone XR SMART
Apple iPhone XS SMART
Apple SE SMART
Apple iPhone 8 SMART
HTC 6330 Rhyme SMART
HTC 6525 ONE M8 SMART
HTC 6535 ONE M9 SMART
Keocera Cadence S2720 FLIP
LG VN220 Exalt FLIP
LG VN251 QWERTY
LG VS415 SMART
LG VS880 G Vista SMART
LG VW820 Lancet SMART
Motorola XT1254 Droid Turbot SMART
Pantech ADR910 Marauder SMART
Pantech ADR930 Perception SMART
Samsung B3111 Gusto 3 FLIP
Samsung G360 Galaxy Core Prime SMART
Samsung G900 Galaxy S5 SMART
Samsung Galaxy S6 SMART
Samsung Galaxy S6 Edge SMART
Samsung Galaxy S7 SMART
Samsung Galaxy S7 Edge SMART
Samsung Galaxy S8 SMART
Samsung I110 Illusion SMART
Samsung I500 Fascinate SMART
Samsung Galaxy SM-G960U1-W (S9) SMART
Samsung U360 Gusto FLIP
Samsung U365 FLIP
ZTE 233 Cymbal FLIP
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