RF tests cover new FCC hearing aids specs

There are several upcoming deadlines which should be noted by all manufacturers of digital wireless devices being manufactured in or imported into the USA. The deadlines have been set by the FCC (Federal Communications Commission) to ensure that hearing aid users are provided with compatible wireless devices. To support manufacturers in fulfilling the requirements set out by the FCC, TUV Product Service has recently invested in new equipment to enable it to provide digital wireless device manufacturers, network operators, and regulators with HAC test services covering RF emissions testing and telecoil/magnetic coupling testing using the IndexSAR HAC test system.

Progression in the development of hearing aid technology coupled with wireless devices, which are categorised by the FCC as hearing aid compatible, is paving the way forward for users of wireless devices that use hearing aids or cochlear implants.

To ensure that hearing aid users are provided with compatible wireless devices, the FCC requires that digital wireless phones which are manufactured or imported for use in the USA be capable of being effectively used with hearing aids and meet the requirements of the current ANSI C63.19:2006 standard.

Manufacturers of digital wireless handsets for use or imported for use in the USA must offer at least two ANSI U3T or M3Trated hearing aid-compatible handset models for each air interface to service providers by 18th September 2006 Tier I digital wireless service providers must make available to consumers, per air interface, five ANSI U3T or M3Trated digital wireless handsets, or 25% of the total number of handsets they offer nationwide by 16th September 2006.

Each provider also must make all of these models available for testing in each retail store it owns or operates.

Digital wireless service providers and manufacturers must both ensure that fifty% of all handsets offered meet the ANSI U3 or M3 hearing aid compatibility requirement for each air interface offered by 18th February 2008.

Hearing aids are also tested under the current ANSI C63.19:2006 standard for RF immunity to radiated electromagnetic fields originating from a wireless device.