About Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) requirements for iPhone - Apple Support (2024)

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has adopted hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) requirements for digital wireless phones. Learn about hearing-aid compatibility under FCC rules for iPhone devices and learn about using iPhone with hearing aids.

Most iPhone devices are hearing-aid compatible with a broad range of hearing aids under the FCC requirements for hearing-aid compatibility (HAC). You can use Made for iPhone hearing aids with many iPhone models as well.

Find information about the hearing-aid compatibility of iPhone devices below. If you're not sure, find out which iPhone model you have.

Hearing Aid Compatibility

Model

Model #

ANSI C63.19 Version

HAC Rating1

Compatible with Made for iPhone Hearing Aids2

iPhone 16 Pro

A3083

Compliance through waiver DA 23-914

Not applicable to 2019 ANSI C63.19

Yes

iPhone 16 Pro Max

A3084

Compliance through waiver DA 23-914

Not applicable to 2019 ANSI C63.19

Yes

iPhone 16

A3081

Compliance through waiver DA 23-914

Not applicable to 2019 ANSI C63.19

Yes

iPhone 16 Plus

A3082

Compliance through waiver DA 23-914

Not applicable to 2019 ANSI C63.19

Yes

iPhone 15 Pro

A2848

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 15 Pro Max

A2849

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 15

A2846

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 15 Plus

A2847

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 14 Pro

A2650

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 14 Pro Max

A2651

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 14

A2649

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 14 Plus

A2632

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone SE (3rd generation)

A2595

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 13 Pro

A2483

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 13 Pro Max

A2484

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 13

A2482

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 13 mini

A2481

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 12 Pro

A2341

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 12 Pro Max

A2342

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 12

A2172

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 12 mini

A2176

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone SE (2nd generation)

A2275, A2296

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 11 Pro

A2160

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 11 Pro Max

A2161

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 11

A2111

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone Xs

A1920

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone Xs Max

A1921

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone XR

A1984

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone X

A1865, A1901

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 8

A1863, A1905

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 8 Plus

A1864, A1897

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 74

A1660, A1778, A1779

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 7 Plus4

A1661, A1784, A1785

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone SE (1st generation)4

A1662, A1723

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 6s4

A1633, A1688

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 6s Plus4

A1634, A1687

2011

M3, T4

Yes

iPhone 64

A1549, A1586

2011

M3, T4

Yes3

iPhone 6 Plus4

A1522, A1524

2011

M3, T4

Yes3

  1. Based on testing conducted by an independent laboratory following the ANSI standard C63.19-2011, "American National Standard for Methods of Measurement of Compatibility between Wireless Communications Devices and Hearing Aids."

  2. Requires iOS 7 or later and a Made for iPhone Hearing Aid. Please confirm support for your model iPhone with your hearing aid manufacturer.

  3. With Hearing Aid mode activated (iOS 5 and later, see below for more information).

  4. Does not support iOS 16 or later.

Learn what the HAC ratings mean

The FCC hearing aid compatibility rules require that certain phones be tested and rated under the American National Standard Institute (ANSI) C63.19 hearing-aid compatibility standards. The 2011 ANSI standard for hearing-aid compatibility contains two types of ratings:

  • M: For reduced radio-frequency interference to enable acoustic coupling with hearing aids that don’t operate in telecoil mode

  • T: For inductive coupling with hearing aids operating in telecoil mode

These ratings are on a scale from one to four, where four is the most compatible. A phone is considered hearing-aid compatible under the FCC requirements if it's rated M3 or M4 for acoustic coupling and T3 or T4 for inductive coupling.

The 2019 ANSI C63.19 standard does not use this rating system.

Hearing-aid compatibility ratings aren't a guarantee that a particular hearing aid works well with a particular phone. Some hearing aids might work well with phones that do not meet the FCC requirements for Hearing Aid Compatibility. To ensure that a particular hearing aid works well with a particular phone, use them together before purchasing.

About Hearing Aid Compatibility and newer wireless technologies

Each iPhone with a HAC rating has been tested and rated for use with hearing aids for some of the wireless technologies that it uses. However, there may be some newer wireless technologies used in the phone that haven't been tested yet for use with hearing aids. It is important to try the different features of the phone thoroughly and in different locations, using your hearing aid or cochlear implant, to determine if you hear any interfering noise. Consult your service provider or the manufacturer of the phone for information on hearing-aid compatibility. If you have questions about return or exchange policies, consult your service provider or phone retailer.

Get the best experience with a hearing aid

Cellular telephones contain radio transmitters that may interfere with hearing aid performance. To ensure that a particular hearing aid works well with a particular phone, use them together before making a purchase. If you already own an iPhone and a hearing aid, here are some tips to ensure that you have the best experience possible.

iPhone and hearing aids generally work best together in "M" or Acoustic Coupling mode. To use your hearing aid in this mode, make sure that your hearing aid is set to "M," or Acoustic Coupling mode, and position the iPhone receiver near the hearing aid’s built-in microphone (or microphones). In other words, hold your iPhone against your head as you would naturally hold the phone when making a telephone call. The hearing aid will receive audio from the iPhone through its built-in microphones. For the best results, try using the iPhone in different positions relative to your hearing aid—for example, placing the receiver slightly above the ear may result in better performance for hearing aids with microphones positioned behind the ear. If you have an iPhone 4 (GSM model), activate Hearing Aid Compatibility (see below).

If Acoustic Coupling does not produce a satisfactory result, try using your hearing aid in "T," or telecoil coupling mode. To use your hearing aid in this mode, make sure that your hearing aid is set to "T," or telecoil coupling mode (not all hearing aids have this mode). If you have an iPhone 5 or later, activate Hearing Aid Compatibility (see below).

Activate Hearing Aid Compatibility

To activate Hearing Aid Compatibility on an iPhone with iOS 13 or later, go to Settings > Accessibility > Hearing Devices. On these iPhone models, Hearing Aid Compatibility modifies the phone’s acoustic settings to improve compatibility with hearing aids set in "T" or telecoil mode.

If you have an iPhone 6 or earlier, you can activate Hearing Aid Mode. To activate Hearing Aid Mode, go to Settings > General > Accessibility. Hearing Aid Mode reduces the transmission power of the cellular radio in the GSM 1900 MHz band, which may result in decreased 2G cellular coverage.

About Made for iPhone hearing aids

Apple has worked with top manufacturers to create hearing aids designed specifically for iPhone. These hearing aids deliver a power-efficient, high-quality digital audio experience and allow you to manage your hearing aid right from your iPhone. Made for iPhone hearing aids also feature Live Listen.

List of Made for iPhone hearing devices

Use Made for iPhone hearing devices

"Bridge" accessories for audio streaming

Some hearing-aid manufacturers offer special "bridge" hearing-aid accessories that receive audio through Bluetooth from the iPhone and retransmit that audio using proprietary wireless audio-streaming technologies built in to some hearing aids. Check with your audiologist or hearing-aid manufacturer for more information.

Information about products not manufactured by Apple, or independent websites not controlled or tested by Apple, is provided without recommendation or endorsement. Apple assumes no responsibility with regard to the selection, performance, or use of third-party websites or products. Apple makes no representations regarding third-party website accuracy or reliability. Contact the vendor for additional information.

Published Date:

About Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) requirements for iPhone - Apple Support (2024)

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