Bluegrass Cellular offers many devices that are Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) for the hearing impaired.

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) defines Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) for wireless devices in terms of radio-frequency (RF) emissions and telecoil coupling. Cell phones are tested to see if they comply with the FCC’s definition of hearing aid compatibility.

M refers to the RF emissions level of the handset device, and means the device is intended for use with hearing aids in microphone mode. The higher the “M” rating number on the device, the more likely the device can be used with a hearing aid on the microphone setting.

T refers to the device’s telecoil coupling ability, and means the device is intended for use with hearing aids in telecoil mode. The higher the “T” rating number on the device, the more likely the device can be used with a hearing aid on the telecoil setting. A telecoil is a small device that is built into some hearing aids for use with the telephone as well as assistive listening devices. To use the telecoil, generally either the hearing aid is switched to the “T” position or a button on the hearing aid is pushed to select the telecoil program. Some newer hearing aids will automatically switch to telecoil mode when using a phone. The telecoil picks up magnetic fields generated by telephones and converts these fields into sound. Telecoils are particularly useful for telephone communication because they permit the volume control of a hearing aid to be turned up without creating feedback or “whistling,” and background noise can be reduced especially when using cell phones in noisy places. A hearing health professional can determine whether a hearing aid contains a telecoil and how it is activated.

The above information was taken from the CTIA’s website.  For more information and for downloadable brochures, please visit this site.

Explanation of methodology for determining levels of functionality (e.g. operating capabilities, features, prices) for compliant handsets:

Bluegrass Cellular offers a variety of HAC phone models to meet the needs of wireless users with hearing disabilities. The mobile units are presented here by category of price.

PDAs (smartphones) generally have advanced features such as expandable memory, enhanced camera, Bluetooth, video, Internet access, touch screen UI, faster processing, email, full QWERTY keypads, and in many cases Windows Office Mobile, to meet the demands of mobile business professionals and consumers.

High-Tier Phones have features for demanding users, including Bluetooth, Internet access capability, increased RAM storage or expandable memory, high-resolution color display, enhanced camera/video capability, and music/MP3 player functionality. They typically feature a modern, sleek design, often are slider form factor.

Mid-Tier Phones may have a camera, Bluetooth, or Internet access capability, but are less likely to offer video/music/media player capability. Design is typically less stylish, tends to be clamshell or flip form factor.

Low-Tier Phones offer basic wireless telephone features, may not have a camera, Bluetooth, or Internet access capability, and generally lack such features MP3 players and expandable memory. Typically utilitarian design suitable for customers using voice/text only, tends to be flip or bar form factor.

A listing of Bluegrass Cellular’s handset HAC by current and recently offered models can be found in the table below.

Model	FCC ID Number	HAC Rating	Mhz Frequency	Air Interface	Wifi	Tier
Motorola W845 Quantico	IHDT56KS1	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	No	high
PCD 8635 Coach	PP4COACH	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	low
LG430 Wine2	BEJUN430	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	mid
LG740 Axis	BEJVS740	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Samsung i100 Gem	A3LSCHI100	M4	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Motorola MB809 Milestone X	IHDT56LB1	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Blackberry 9330 Curve	L6ARCL20CW	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	PDA
Samsung i500 Galaxy Showcase	A3LSCHI500	M4	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
HTC 6325 Merge	NM8PD42100	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
HTC 6885 7 Pro	NM8PC93100	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
LG510 Prestige	BEJUN510	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	high
LG200 Saber	BEJUN200	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	low
Samsung R640 Character	A3LSCHR640	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	mid
Samsung R261 Chrono	A3LSCHR261A	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	low
LG270 Exchange	BEJVN270	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	No	mid
Samsung R720 Admire	A3LSCHR720	M4/T3	850/1700/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
BlackBerry 9330 Bold Touch	L6ARDU70CW	M3/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Blackberry 9850 Torch	L6ARDH70CW	M3/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Sonim XP3400 Armor	WYPC21F007AA	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	No	high
LG680 Optimus 2	ZNFAS680	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Motorola MB867 Milestone X 2	IHDT56MJ1	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
LG855 Ignite	BEJLS855	M4/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Sony Ericsson R800X Xperia Play	PY7A6880004	M3/T3	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
BlackBerry 9350 Curve	L6ARDZ20CW	M4/T4	850/1900	CDMA	Yes	PDA
Motorola W835 Crush	IHDP56KB1	M3	850/1900	CDMA	No	mid
Unimax 570 MaxChatz	U46-M570	M3/T4	850/1900	CDMA	No	low

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