Cell Phones Most Compatible with Hearing Aids
As a service to hearing aid owners we are providing to our knowledge a complete list of U.S. phones which are most compatible with hearing aids. By compatibility we mean they carry the very highest rating of M4/T4:
- M4 indicates there is the least likelihood of microphone interference and
- T4 means there is the greatest likelihood of telecoil coupling compatibility with the cell phone.
The following is a list of the most hearing aid compatible cell phones.
To find out more about a specific model go to www.phonescoop.com or click on the model.
To learn more about cell phone compatibility with hearing aids:
How to buy a cell phone:
http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_solutions/VoltaVoice-CellPhoneBuyingGuide1_09.pdf
For tutorials on wireless access visit: http://www.accesswireless.org/
Sep 4, 2009 at 12:35 PM While I always look for M4/T4 phones (and it is increasingly easy to find them because the ratings are generally right on the phone labels in the wireless store outlets), I do find that finding a good phone is about more than just the compatibility rating. Some phones have better sound quality and for someone with a hearing loss, this intangible is also a very important factor. I think it is important to emphasize that people should TRY phones. I routinely borrow friends' phones to test them if I'm in the market. I also take along my normally hearing husband and let him try them for me. If he thinks a phone sounds less than clear to him, I generally will not like it.
Sep 4, 2009 at 12:55 PM Thank you for your article about cell phones and M4T4 Capability.
It would also be useful to have information about SIDETONE. Most mfrs do not have any idea what this is. But it is the ability of a phone to loop the voice of the user back to the hearing aids when the user speaks. For example, I have a profound loss and need to hear with both ears and use my telecoils. When I turn them on, I do not hear through the outside mics as you are aware, and therefore cannot monitor my own voice when I speak. I use a HATIS set of silhouettes with a mic.
There are only a very small number of phones that have effective sidetone that allow me to hear my voice.
I have heard that Nokia has a line of phones with sidetone, however.
Thomas
Sep 4, 2009 at 5:00 PM In the past 4 years I have purchased 2 different M4/T4 cell phones hoping I would find 'the' one that really worked for me. I've had minimal success. I use both a CI and a hearing instrument and find they work wonders for me when working together. Using a neck loop that allows me to use both technologies works best. However, I've had bad luck with the neckloops for cell phones. Sprint is my carrier, and I'm under my husband's plan, however, I am eligible for a new phone now. He is not. I'm reading everything I can because I don't want to make another mistake this time! Do you have any advice about the type of input jack that works best? My RaZor phone (motorola) had a usb port, and I never did find a loop that worked without an adaptor. (That was a pain to use each time and it diminished the power when connected. The phone also had a serious battery life issue, which was verified by Sprint, although they did not offer to replace the phone.) I'm now using my granddaughter's old cell phone with a small input jack. When I add an adaptor to my neckloop it diminishes the power. I have a loop that fits, but it is too weak to benefit me unless I put it behind my hearing devices on my ears, which I do in an emergency. I've settled on a life of texting at this point, but I know there is something out there that will work. Any help will be appreciated. Note: I've always had great success with other ALDs and regular phones, so this is a frustrating surprise to me.
Sep 8, 2009 at 1:32 PM Another point that I should have included in the article is that some people have found that the clam shell style phone works better for them then the candy bar style phone.
Why is T-Mobile still not posting the hearing aid compatible ratings under the phone's features and instead posting the information in tiny print in the lower right hand corner of the card below the phone?
Dec 20, 2010 at 8:09 AM Here is an update on my cell phone story. In October, we switched our carrier to Verizon. It took me 2 hours in the Verizon Store with a very patient sales person to find a phone that would work with a standard neckloop. I prefer a non-amplified neckloop to one that uses batteries. For some reason, the Blackberry phones that worked so well for me at the national HLAA convention exhibits, would not work with the same neckloop I had used at the convention. I now believe there is a setting on those phones that no one knew to activate. In the process, the sales manager came out and asked me to try the Motorola Droid. It has a 3.5mm input jack, and it worked well for me. I also hear it quite well w/o the loop when using my CI. This phone is rated M3 T3, which surprised me. In fact, I probably would not have tried it if they had not asked me to. Most of the other phones I tried cut out when I plugged in the loop. I could hear the person on the other end, but they could not hear me. Amplified loops also have microphones in them, which would allow both parties to connect. My fussiness on this issue, and desire to use the standard basic WS neckloop (which has sufficient power for me) is that fiddling with 4 different battery powered devices at once is just too frustrating....one battery goes low...which one is it? Phone, neckloop, CI or hearing aid. By the time I figure that out the opportunity for the call has ended. I am happy with the Motorola Droid. Now if I can just get into the habit of carrying it with me all the time!
Jun 8, 2011 at 8:12 PM Why is T-Mobile still not posting the hearing aid compatible ratings under the phone's features and instead posting the information in tiny print in the lower right hand corner of the card below the phone?
Jun 9, 2011 at 8:00 AM I don't know. But I do need to update the list of cellphones which are M4/T4 on the BHI website from Phonescoop.com
Jan 5, 2012 at 7:51 PM This web site is a joke! Nothing about function for those of us with hearing aids. Reviews are about everything else.
I will not shop for my next aid with your company!
Jan 9, 2012 at 10:41 AM Max, We are an educational organization and do not sell hearing aids; nor do we review hearing aids. We do list technology updates under PRESS and conduct national research on customer satisfaction with hearing aids.
Jan 10, 2012 at 9:52 PM Is this updated information?
Jan 11, 2012 at 11:00 AM The most up to date list is at this link: http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_treatment/cellphones.cfm
Jan 21, 2012 at 3:28 PM No mention of Apple iPhone on you list, why not?
Jan 23, 2012 at 10:21 AM Apple is on this updated link:
http://www.betterhearing.org/hearing_loss_treatment/cellphones.cfm