Some people who use hearing aid devices may find it a challenge to use a wireless phone. Advocates in the wireless industry and consumer groups have been working for years to develop standards and solutions to reduce difficulties that the hard-of-hearing can face. In addition, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has set requirements for wireless carriers and wireless device manufacturers.There are now a large number of hearing-aid compatible (HAC) devices available.
Compatible phones
The following table provides information about phones currently offered, or recently offered, by Ting. Ting is continuously updating its inventory of phones, so a phone listed below may be unavailable when you seek to find it for purchase. Phones unavailable for purchase will not be available for testing.
| Phone | Model | FCC ID | M Rating | T Rating | Operating System |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| iPhone 13 Pro Max | A2484 | BCG-E4003A | 3 | 4 | iOS |
| iPhone 13 Pro | A2483 | BCG-E4000A | 3 | 4 | iOS |
| iPhone 13 | A2482 | BCG-E3997A | 3 | 4 | iOS |
| iPhone 13 mini | A2481 | BCG-E3994A | 3 | 4 | iOS |
| iPhone 12 | A2172 | BCG-E3542A | 3 | 4 | iOS |
| iPhone 12 mini | A2176 | BCG-E3539A | 3 | 4 | iOS |
| iPhone SE | A2595 | BCG-E4082A | 3 | 4 | iOS |
| Samsung S21 FE 5G | SM-G990U1 | A3LSMG990U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| Samsung S22 | SM-S901U | A3LSMS901U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| Samsung S22+ | SM-S906U | A3LSMS906U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| Samsung S23 | SM-S911U1 | A3LSMS911U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| Samsung S23+ | SM-S916U1 | A3LSMS916U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| Samsung A14 | SM-A146U | ZCASMA146U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| Samsung A23 | SM-A236U | A3LSMA326U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| Samsung A03s | SM-A037U | ZCASMA037U | 3 | 3 | Android |
| moto g play | XT2271-5 | IHDT56ZP5 | 3 | 3 | Android |
| moto e | XT2052-1 | IHDT56YQ1 | 4 | 3 | Android |
| TCL Flip 5 |
4056W | 2ACCJN048 | 4 | 4 | KaiOS 3.0 |
| Google Pixel 6a |
GX7AS | A4RGX7AS | 3 | 4 | Android |
(last updated July 26, 2023)
Ting does not offer any non-hearing aid-compatible models.
Device Compatibility Ratings
There are two different ratings to consider when picking a hearing aid compatible device:
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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 can be 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 with hearing devices than phones that are not labeled. M4 is the better/higher of the two ratings.
- In addition, hearing devices may be measured for immunity to interference caused by RF demodulation or EMI. Your hearing device manufacturer or hearing health professional can help you find immunity results for your hearing device. The more immune your hearing aid is to this type of interference, the less likely you will be to experience interference from mobile phones and other sources of RF/EMI such as computer monitors or fluorescent lighting.
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T-Ratings: compatibility with hearing aids that have telecoils.
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A telecoil is a small device built into some hearing aids for use with the telephone as well as assistive listening devices. Not all hearing aids have telecoils. The T-Rating measures the device’s effectiveness with a telecoil.
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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.
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Additional information
For additional information regarding hearing aid compatibility:
- Ting Return and Replacement FAQ
- Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative: Visit GARI for in-depth Accessibility information on each device Ting sells.
- FCC Information on Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireless Phones
- Choosing a cell phone that works for you