Hearing Aid Compatibility - Frequently Asked Questions

When someone is using a mobile phone near to a hearing aid user:

1. What is the background to the problem?
With the introduction of digital mobile phones it has become apparent that they may cause interference to a range of audio equipment including hearing aids.

The interference is caused by the type of radio signals that are transmitted from the digital mobile phone being picked up by the hearing aid amplifier. The interference decreases rapidly as the distance between the mobile phone and the hearing aid increases. For this reason there has been no reported problem from the base stations that transmit signals to mobile phones.

2. Will mobile phone users near to a hearing aid wearer cause interference to that user?
The chance of a hearing aid wearer getting interference from a mobile phone will depend upon a number of factors such as:

1. The distance the phone is from the hearing aid,
2. The level of the radio signal the phone is transmitting
3. The immunity of the hearing aid i.e. its ability to reject interference to such signals.

There is now an international standard that sets the level of immunity for hearing aids, and all new models of hearing aids will comply with this. This means that users of new hearing aids being used 2 metres or more away from a digital mobile phone should find any interference reduced to levels low enough to allow their aid to be used with little difficulty. The new products of all EHIMA member companies meet these specifications. However older hearing aids may have problems as they were made before this difficulty was apparent.

3. What can be done about any interference from mobile phones being used by other people?
In most situations it is a case of being practical about the problem. If the interference lasts just a few moments then it may be possible to let it pass. If however you are in a situation where someone is using their phone close to you for long periods of time you have a number of options:

1. Move a short distance away if you can, this should reduce or remove the interference
2. Politely inform the user that they are causing a problem with your aid and could they move a short distance away
3. If this is a constant problem you should contact your hearing aid clinic or dispenser for advice on a new aid, as it is unlikely that anything can be done with your existing one.