Frequently Asked Questions
C Spire offers a wide selection of phones meeting the Federal Communications Commission's standards for wireless device use with hearing aids.
Hearing Aid-Compatible Devices
*The 2019 ANSI Standard includes a volume control test that ensures that hearing aid-compatible handsets meet certain amplification requirements—referred to as conversational gain. (source)
Accessibility support for your C Spire device
To learn more about accessibility features and options, explore these helpful resources.
Revised March 24, 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
The FCC rules currently measure HAC using a technical standard to objectively test whether wireless phones are compatible with hearing-aid devices. The tests help ensure that handsets will not cause interference with the hearing aid, can be coupled with a hearing aid, and allow consumers to adjust the hearing aid volume.
In general, wireless phones released after December 2023 are tested to the 2019 ANSI Standard. The 2019 ANSI Standard updated the previous 2011 ANSI Standard, which had been the test for phones for several years. A phone is considered compatible with hearing aids if it is certified as hearing aid-compatible under either standard. (source)
The FCC, accessibility advocates, the hearing aid industry, and wireless industry representatives collaborated to develop a system to help consumers who use hearing aids and cochlear implants find compatible wireless handsets. Specifically, the box for hearing aid-compatible phones will be labeled "hearing aid compatible," "HAC," or will have an M/T rating, such as M3/T3.
Newer handsets, which were tested under the 2019 ANSI Standard, will be labeled "Hearing Aid Compatible" or "HAC." The label on the box will also include information about volume control: the handset's actual conversational gain both with and without hearing aids.
While the ANSI Committee eliminated the numerical M/T rating system for the 2019 ANSI Standard to make purchasing a hearing aid-compatible handset more consumer friendly, older phones, tested with the 2011 ANSI Standard, will be labeled using a rating system that shows various levels of how wireless handsets and hearing aids can work together in acoustic mode (M) and in telecoil or T-coil mode (T) on a scale of 1-4. For both wireless handsets and hearing aids, a higher "M" rating means your hearing aid is more likely to work with a wireless handset when set to acoustic or microphone mode. A higher "T" rating means a better chance that your hearing aid will work with a wireless handset when set to telecoil mode. The FCC considers mobile handsets to be HAC for acoustic mode if they are rated at least M3 and HAC for telecoil mode if they are rated at least T3. (source)
While your hearing healthcare professional can tell you if your hearing aid is immune to RF interference, you may need to contact or visit the website for the manufacturer of your hearing aid to determine its RF immunity rating. (source)
Yes, our return and exchange policy allows ample time to determine if a wireless device works with your hearing aid.