Hearing Aid Compatibility

Information for Customers Who Are Deaf or Hard of Hearing.

Last Updated: 01/13/2022

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted specific hearing-aid compatibility rules for cell phones to ensure that manufacturers develop phones that are compatible with hearing aid devices and assist hearing device users in finding those phones. Specifically, the FCC relies on standards developed by the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) to help consumers identify which cell phones are compatible with hearing aids. Under the 2019 ANSI Standard, a phone is hearing aid compatible if it is labeled as such. The 2011 ANSI Standard uses a rating system: compatibility with telecoil hearing aids is based on a ‘T’ rating (T1 through T4), while compatibility with microphone hearing aids is based on an ‘M’ rating (M1 through M4). The higher the M or T rating assigned to a phone, the less interference there is to hearing aid users—phones that receive a rating of 3 or 4 are deemed to be hearing aid compatible.

Today, most cell phones are designed to be compatible with hearing aids under the ANSI Standards, and therefore reduce or completely eliminate interference that some hearing aid device users may experience when using a cell phone. Interference occurs when the electronics within the hearing aid device pick up and demodulate radio frequency (RF) or electromagnetic interference (EMI) emitted by the cell phone or other sources, which may result in a buzzing, humming, or whining noise for users with hearing aid devices while using certain cell phones. In addition to the hearing aid compatibility of the device, the amount of interference experienced will vary depending on the design of the hearing aid.

While the ANSI Standards are a useful tool for consumers when choosing the right cell phone, they do not guarantee that a phone will not cause interference with a particular hearing aid. Additionally, while phones have been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that they use, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in phones that have not yet been tested for use with hearing aids. If you use a hearing device, it is important that you try the different features of your phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Your hearing device manufacturer or hearing health professional can help you with questions about your hearing device. You can also consult the manufacturer of your phone for more information on hearing aid compatibility. Additionally, if your cell phone is not working with your hearing aid device, please contact Assist Customer Service or your wireless phone retailer about phone return or exchange policies.

Assist Wireless ensures that a certain portion of the wireless phones it offers are hearing aid compatible and sources current, industry standard devices. The devices it offers vary over time. Assist Wireless currently offers the following hearing aid compatible wireless phones:

Make M Rating T Rating FCC ID Level of Functionality ANSI Standard
Alcatel 4044C 4 4 2ACCJN012 Flip 2019
Alcatel 4052R 4 4 2ACCJN032 Flip 2019
Alcatel 5002 4 3 2ACCJH118, 2ACCJH120, 2ACCJH124 Smartphone 2019
Alcatel 5044C 4 3 2ACCJB079, 2ACCJH062, 2ACCJH063, 2ACCJB090 Smartphone 2019
Apple IPhone 5s 3 4 BCG-E2642A Smartphone 2019
Apple iPhone 6 3 4 BCG-E2816A Smartphone 2019
Apple iPhone 6 Plus 3 4 BCG-E2817A Smartphone 2019
Apple iPhone 6S 3 4 BCG-E2946A Smartphone 2019
Apple IPhone 6S Plus 3 4 BCG-E2944A Smartphone 2019
Apple iPhone 7 3 4 BCG-E3091A, BCG-E3085A Smartphone 2019
Apple iPhone 8 3 4 BCG-E3159A, BCG-E3172A Smartphone 2019
Apple iPhone X 3 4 BCG-E3161A, BCG-E3175A, BCG-E3176A Smartphone 2019
Apple iPhone 11 3 4 BCG-E3309A Smartphone 2019
Coolpad Catalyst 4 3 R38YL3622A Smartphone 2019
HTC U11 4 3 NM82PZC100, NM82PZC500 Smartphone 2019
LG K10 3 3 ZNFX410AS, ZNFX410CS Smartphone 2019
LG K30 3 3 ZNFX410PM Smartphone 2019
LG G4 3 3 ZNFUS991, ZNFLS991, ZNFVS986 Smartphone 2019
LG Stylo 2 Plus 3 4 ZNFK550BN, ZNFK557,ZNFK550BN Smartphone 2019
LG Stylo 4 Plus 4 3 ZNFQ710AL Smartphone 2019
Lush MINT 4 4 2AQ4GMS5414G Smartphone 2019
Maze Speed 4 4 2AL40-SPEED
MAZE SPEED 4 4 2AQ4G-MS5514G Smartphone 2019
Motorola E5 4 3 IHDT56XF2, IHDT56XF4, IHDT56XF5, IHDT56XF6 Smartphone 2019
Samsung Galaxy A10 3 4 A3LSMA105M Smartphone 2019
Samsung Galaxy J7 3 A3LSMJ700F, A3LSMJ700H, A3LSMJ700M, A3LSMJ700T Smartphone 2019
Samsung Galaxy Grand Prime 3 3 A3LSMG530AZ, A3LSMG530T, A3LSMG531H Smartphone 2019
Samsung On5 3 3 A3LSMG550FY, A3LSMG550T Smartphone 2019
Samsung Note 7 4 4 A3LSMN930U, A3LSMN930F Smartphone 2019
SOHO Style 4 4 2AL40-K5016C Smartphone 2019
SOHO STYLE 5 4 4 2AQ4GMS5414G Smartphone 2019
SOHO Style 5.5 4 4 2AQ4G-SSB554R Smartphone 2019
UMX U693CL 4 3 P46-U683CL Smartphone 2019
Wiko U307 3 4 2AM86WU300AS Smartphone 2019

Assist Wireless currently offers the following additional phones, which are not hearing aid compatible:

Make FCC ID Level of Functionality
Maxwest Neo Flip LTE 2ASP8NEOFLIPLTE Flip
SKY Elite P55 2ABOSSKYELITEP55 Smartphone
SKY Elite J55 2ABOSSKYELITEJ55 Smartphone
SKY Elite F55 2ABOSSKYELITEF55 Smartphone
SKY Elite C55 2ABOSSKYELITEC55 Smartphone
X-Mobile X1 2A2ERXMOX1 Smartphone

For additional information about hearing aid compatibility with cell phones, see the FCC Guide at www.fcc.gov/hearing-aid-compatibility-wireless-telephones or the wireless industry association’s consumer resource guide at www.accesswireless.org/resources-for-consumers/hearing-resources. For more information about accessibility features available in current and older phones, visit the Global Accessibility Reporting Initiative’s website at www.gari.info.

If you have questions about Assist Wireless’ wireless services, please contact Assist Wireless customer service using the following information:

Email: info@assistwireless.com

Phone: 1-855-392-7747 or 611 from your device during normal business hours: Monday – Friday: 10am – 6pm CT

Mail: Assist Wireless, 3030 Lyndon B Johnson Fwy., Ste 1320, Dallas, TX 75234

Medicaid / Medi-Cal

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Address of the beneficiary, and
  • Date of the award

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary
  • Medical Identification number, OR
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

Federal Veterans Affairs (VA) Veterans & Survivors Pension Benefit

Pension Grant Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Participant’s name
  • Address
  • A decision about the participant’s monthly entitlement amount
  • Payment start date

Federal Public Housing Assistance (FPHA)

FPHA award letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Date of the award,
  • Name of the beneficiary, and
  • Award amount.

Supplemental Security Income (SSI)

Approval Letter or Benefit Statement issued by the SSA, or on SSA letterhead.

  • Consumer’s name
  • Date
  • Eligibility Date
  • Claim number OR Other consumer identification number
  • Payment amount

SNAP / Food Stamps / CalFresh

Program Approval Letter, Benefit Statement, or Verification of Coverage Letter, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

OR

Eligibility Screenshot or printout from an online portal or website tool, should contain the following basic information:

  • Name of the program or state equivalent,
  • Name of the beneficiary,
  • Case number,
  • Eligibility dates, OR
  • Current participation status

Lifeline Program

Due to sharing many of the same eligibility requirements those currently enrolled in the lifeline program may qualify for The Affordable Connectivity Program (ACP) also.