scope:

This standard applies to both wireless communications devices (WDs) and hearing aids. It sets forth uniform methods of measurement and parametric requirements for the electromagnetic and operational compatibility of hearing aids and WDs, including cellular phones, personal communications service (PCS), and voice-over-Internet-protocol (VoIP) devices, operating in the range of 614 MHz to 6 GHz.² TIA-1083, Telecommunications Communications Products Handset Magnetic Measurement Procedures and Performance Requirements [B87],³ has become the recognized standard for measurement procedures and performance requirements for handset-generated audio band magnetic noise of wireline communications devices, including cordless telephones (cordless handsets with wireline-connected base units). Ongoing communications between the TIA TR-41.3.14 accessibility working group⁴ and ANSI C63.19 working group have been maintained with the objective of harmonizing the two standards to the maximum extent possible.

This standard is intended to apply to all types of hearing aids with acoustic output, including, as examples, behind-the-ear (BTE), in-the-ear (ITE), in-the-canal (ITC), completely-in-the-canal (CIC) types, and receiver-in-the-canal (RIC). Test methods are provided for acoustic (microphone input) mode and tele-coil (T-Coil) hearing aid modes of operation.

Users of this standard are cautioned to maintain the field strength called for in various places in the document within the limits for radio-frequency (RF) safety specified in IEEE Std C95.1™ [B65].

Purpose

The purpose of this standard is to provide tests and establish requirements for hearing aids and for WDs that allow a hearing aid user to effectively use a WD when both the hearing aid and WD meet the requirements of this standard. The various parameters required in order to demonstrate compatibility are measured. The design of the standard is such that when a hearing aid and a WD achieve the specified requirements, as measured by the methodology of this standard, the user of a hearing aid can effectively use a WD.

In order to provide for the usability of a hearing aid with a WD, several factors are coordinated, as follows:

- The field strength emitted by a WD must not exceed the RF immunity of the hearing aid.

- The T-Coil baseband H-field transmission of the WD must be compatible with the T-Coil mode of the hearing aid.

- The magnetic noise from the WD in the T-Coil band must not degrade the reception quality to unacceptable levels.

Both the WD's RF and audio-band emissions are measured. Hence, the following measurements are made for the WDs:

a) RF amplitude modulation characteristics and power level or, optionally, near-field E-field emissions

b) T-Coil mode, magnetic signal strength in the audio band

c) T-Coil mode, magnetic noise in the audio band

d) T-Coil mode, magnetic signal frequency response in the audio band

Corresponding to these quantities, the hearing aid is measured for the following:

1) RF immunity in microphone mode

2) RF immunity in T-Coil mode

This standard describes preferred test methods and test facilities. If alternative test methods or facilities are employed, every effort shall be made to establish correlation with the preferred ones. Any deviation from the preferred test methods, as specified in this standard, shall be fully described in the test report.

² This version of ANSI C63.19 provides detailed procedures up to 3 GHz, although the scope has been expanded up to 6 GHz. The guidance provided goes as far as well-researched methods are available and covers the primary bands relative to this topic.

³ The numbers in brackets correspond to those of the bibliography in Annex J.

⁴ TIA-1083 is administered by TIA Engineering Committee TR-41 Performance and Accessibility for Communications Products.