Hearing & Accessibility Guide
What Does “Hearing Aid Compatible” Mean on a Mobile Phone?
If you’ve ever answered your phone call only to be met with buzzing, whistling or muffled sounds through your hearing aids, you’re far from the only one. Hearing aid compatibility with mobile phones is a critical feature in mobile phones for the hard-of-hearing community and an essential thing to understand.
Let us cover the basics of what constitutes a hearing aid compatible phone, and how a simple feature can make a world of difference to call quality, comfort and confidence in the user.
What “Hearing Aid Compatible” Actually Means
You may have heard the term, but be wondering to yourself, in function, what does hearing aid compatible mean? We’re here to help.
A hearing aid compatible (HAC) phone is a mobile phone that has been designed especially to work more effectively with hearing aids. The goal is to reduce the interference that can occur when a hearing aid and mobile phone are used together.
Without the functionality of a HAC-rated phone, users can experience distracting noises, reduced clarity and difficulty understanding speech during calls.
Good to know
Rather than being a special type of phone, hearing aid compatibility (HAC) is a design standard that helps ensure better communication between the phone and your hearing aid.
Why Some Phones Cause Interference
Remember those buzzing, whistling and muffled sounds we touched on earlier? Any number of them could be from hearing aid interference. Mobile phones generate electromagnetic signals as they communicate with mobile networks, and in some cases, hearing aids can pick these up too.
The interference and/or distracting noises you experience can differ significantly, and depend on your hearing aid model, what phone is being used and even the positioning of your device to your ear.
A hearing aid compatible phone is designed especially to reduce this interference, so that everyone has access to clear and comfortable phone calls.
How Hearing Aid Compatibility Ratings Work
Phones for hearing aid users, or HAC phones, are commonly assessed using two rating systems: what’s called M ratings and what’s called T ratings.
M
M rating · Microphone
Relates to how well a phone works with hearing aids that use their ‘microphone’ setting. A higher M rating generally indicates better resistance to interference and clearer sound quality.
T
T rating · Telecoil
Relates to ‘telecoil compatibility’. A telecoil (sometimes called a T-coil) is a small component found in many hearing aids that can receive sounds directly from compatible devices. This can reduce background noise and improve speech clarity during phone calls.
As performance improves, ratings typically follow a course: a higher number generally means a better experience when using the phone with a hearing aid.
Please note: because HAC phone models and specifications change over time, it’s always worth checking the manufacturer’s current product information before comparing M and T ratings.
Telecoil vs Microphone Modes
Many hearing aids offer both microphone and telecoil modes, but understanding their functions and differences could be critical in helping you get the clearest possible call quality.
Microphone mode
The hearing aid functions as normal. The microphones pick up sound from the speaker as well as sounds from the surrounding environment. For some users, this can be enough to establish a clear connection, especially when background noise is minimal.
Telecoil mode
Telecoil mode works differently. When activated, the hearing aid receives sound directly from a compatible phone’s magnetic signal. This helps reduce competing background noise and can make conversations significantly easier to understand.
The best option for you depends on your preferences, as well as the type of hearing aid you use. Generally speaking, however, many people find telecoil mode particularly useful in noisy environments or when they need maximum speech clarity during calls.
What to Look for When Buying
If you’re looking for a hearing aid compatible phone, but not sure what to look for, consider our curated ‘key features’ checklist:
Key features checklist
- Check the hearing aid compatibility rating (the higher the better)
- Look out for clear and adjustable call volume controls
- Prioritise strong call clarity and speech clarity
- Choose a phone with an easy-to-read display and simple navigation
- Consider larger buttons if ease of use is important
- Look for a loudspeakerphone option for hands-free conversations (test this in-store if possible)
- Make sure the phone feels comfortable to hold and use
For many older Australians, simplicity is just as important as performance. Opel Mobile phones are designed with accessibility and ease of use in mind, including hearing aid compatibility and features that support everyday communication. Explore our range to find a phone to support your unique hearing needs and lifestyle.
Other Features That Help People With Hearing Loss
Having an HAC-rated phone is an excellent start to addressing your needs or those of a loved one; however, oftentimes having a hearing aid accessible phone is only addressing one part of a larger picture.
Consider some other features to improve the overall accessibility of your device:
- Loud and clear ringtones to ensure incoming calls are not missed
- Adjustable volume settings to suit specific hearing needs
- Vibration alerts to add an extra means to notify the owner of incoming calls and notifications
- Loudspeakerphone functionality
- Large screens and buttons for ease of use
Together, these features can create a wholly accessible experience that supports the user in every environment.
Finding the Right Phone
Finding the right hearing aid accessible phone can make a significant change in your life. Clearer conversations, reduced interference and easier controls can lead to a lot less frustration and a lot more connection with friends, family and essential services.
To maximise the benefits of your phone, be sure to look beyond the basic specifications and consider how well it works with your hearing requirements and personal hearing aids. Consider hearing aid compatibility, adjustable volume and accessibility as essential areas to assess before making your choice.
Opel Mobile’s range of hearing aid-compatible devices and big button phones is a great place to start.