Monday, September 18, 2006, is the deadline by which you should be able to go into a phone store and purchase a wireless phone that is TELECLOIL compatible. According to FCC requirements a percentage of wireless phones should be telecoil compatible by that date.
Specifically the FCC rule states that ..............
"By September 18, 2006, Nationwide Tier 1 Service Providers must offer at least two handset models for each air interface that comply with a minimum of T3 rating as set forth in the ANSI C63.19 standards, and make available in each retail store owned/operated by the provider all of these handset models for consumers to test in the store."
T = telecoil and 3 is the minimum C63.19 standard rating required by the FCC. Ratings may be T3 or T4 - the higher the better.
Although there may be some telecoil compatible phones already in the stores, by September 18, 2006, there MUST be.
To remind you, the last important deadline was August 1, 2006. That was the date when Tier 1 Service Providers had to offer at least five handset models that are microphone compatible. The phone should comply with a minimum of M3 rating for use with microphone settings on hearing aids and cochlear implants.
M = microphone and 3 is the minimum rating allowed by the FCC.
Taken from www.hearingloss.org/advocacy/index.asp
