Phones which are not designed specifically to accommodate the acoustics of a hearing aid may make usage of said phone difficult. Several groups representing the wireless industry and consumer groups have been working on drafting guidelines and continue to study the matter in depth to find perfect and complete solutions. As of current the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has mandated several requirements for wireless carriers, and manufacturers. There are currently several Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) Mobile Devices which are available to all subscribers.

Each and every phone along with the individual who uses them will have their own results and experiences with a phone. For that reason, we recommend you try several HAC phones until you find one which works well for you.

There are two types of ratings which effect HAC Devices and their direct impact on the quality of phone calls you will make or receive.

• M-Ratings (Reduced Hearing Aid Device Interference)
• T-Ratings (Compatible with Telecoil based Hearing Aids)

M-Ratings [Reduced hearing Aid Device Interference]

With various hearing aids, one may experience interference, a buzz or a whine when using their wireless phone or device. This occurs when the electronic signals emitting from your wireless phone or device are picked up and demodulated by your hearing aid. Wireless Phones with an M Rating of M3 or M4 qualify as being HAC Compatible Devices - M4 being the higher of the two ratings.

Hearing Aid Devices may also show susceptible resistance to this interference [Radio Frequency / Electro Magnetic Interference], and can easily be tested to see how well they can resist it. The more resistant your device is, the less likely you are to experience wireless phone or device interference. Your health care professional will be able to help you find how your device rates, or help you find a more suitable hearing aid.

T-Ratings [Compatible with Telecoil Based Hearing Aids]

Some hearing aids contain a small device called a telecoil. They are also found in some assistive listening devices. If your hearing aid devices contain one, a HAC Wireless Phone or Device with a rating of T3 or T4 will meet the requirements of being a HAC wireless phone or device - T4 being the higher of the two ratings.

Nexus offers hearing aid-compatible handsets as required by the Federal Communications Commission ("FCC"). The FCC also requires each service provider that operates a publicly-accessible Web site to make available on its Web site a list of all hearing aid-compatible models currently offered, the rating of those models, and an explanation of the rating system. As required, Nexus provides the following information:

Wireless phones and devices are rated according to their hearing aid compatibility in terms of radio frequency (RF) interference or telecoil coupling capability.

Wireless phones using acoustic coupling technology are tested for reduced RF emissions according to the ANSI C63.19 standard. Cell phones with a rating of "good" or "excellent" are considered to be compatible for use with hearing aids set in microphone mode and are assigned a rating of M3 or M4.

Wireless phones using inductive coupling technology are tested for telecoil coupling capability according to the ANSI C63.19 standard. Wireless phones with a rating of "good" or "excellent" are considered compatible for use with hearing aids set in telecoil mode and are assigned a rating of T3 or T4.

The higher the "M" or "T" rating, the less likely the hearing aid user will experience interference while using a wireless phone.

Service providers must also specify on their Web site, based on the levels of functionality that the service provider has defined, the level that each hearing aid-compatible model falls under as well as an explanation of how the functionality of the handsets varies at the different levels. Nexus basis its functionality level on the following criteria:

Good - Basic Feature Phone
Better - Basic QWERTY/Touch Screen Phone
Best - Smartphone (Devices that support both data and voice functions)

Nexus currently offers the following hearing aid-compatible handsets/devices. Cell phones/devices using acoustic coupling technology are rated at M3 or better. Cell phones/devices using inductive coupling technology are rated at T3 or better.