Cell Phones and Hearing Aids

If you have patients or family members who wear hearing aids, you may know that they often have trouble using cell phones. Some cell phones cause radiofrequency interference with hearing aids, so the user hears high-pitched whistling sounds through the hearing aid, or static, or thumping sounds.

But all cell phones aren't alike in this respect. Some of the phones have lower radiofrequency emissions or different technology that can reduce the unwanted effects on hearing aids. So you should advise hearing aid wearers shopping for a cell phone to try several brands and models before they decide. Some hearing aids may be so susceptible to interference that they simply won't work with any of the cell phones available, while others are designed to be resistant to interference. So the same trial and error approach is also important when shopping for hearing aids.

Fortunately, hearing aids are improving and before long it's going to be much easier for hearing aid wearers to find a compatible phone. Also, FDA has begun working with the hearing aid industry on ways to help clinicians and consumers choose hearing aids and cell phones that are likely to work together. The phones will be improving, too. The Federal Communications Commission recently announced that they'll require cell phone manufacturers to make at least some models usable by hearing aid wearers within the next two years.