Almost every smartphone released of late supports hearing aid devices for people with hearing disabilities. However, the phones specifically targeted towards such users should comply to the Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) ratings as per the standards. In this article we have listed phones with compatible HAC ratings which have also got good ratings from expert reviews from around the web.
Hearing Aid Compatibility for cellphones has two kinds of ratings: M-Ratings and T-Ratings, on a scale of one to four. An M-rating means that the cellphones complies with the standard for producing less noise interference when connected to an hearing aid device without a telecoil. The T-Rating indicates that your cellphone is compatible with hearing aid devices with telecoil component, for producing clear sounds. The higher the rating, the better voices you can hear.
The rankings for the products listed in the article are based on ReviewGist Score which combines the expert ratings around the web to give you a single quantitative score from 1 to 100. Also, we have narrowed down our product selection to latest smartphones to give you the most updated product recommendation.
1. HTC One
HTC One is currently the top rated smartphone for users with hearing impairment, which has got a M3 T4 HAC rating. A beautiful body construction, superfast processor, latest Android OS and a vast 4.7 inch screen are some of the striking features of this smartphone. With One, HTC introduces us to an innovative Ultrapixel camera which captures impressive photographs with lesser Megapixel count – unlike the other smartphones in the game. Read on to know what the reviews say about One.
Most reviews around the web suggest that HTC One is a near ideal smartphone with a voice quality to match. Additionally, users can utilize the HTC One’s front speakers to the fullest extent during calls or while enjoying the music. CNET reviewers seems to have enjoyed the relatively clean audio quality with very little distortion of voice calls while PhoneArena review describes the call quality to be excellent and of natural tone.
The top scoring call quality and with a complete hearing aid compatibility, HTC One fits perfectly as a top smartphone for the hearing impaired.
2. Nokia Lumia 928
Lumia 928 is the yet another Windows Phone from Nokia which is exclusively available from Verizon. Like any other Windows Phone, Nokia offers a fresh UI and pretty good camera with Lumia 928 this time. Check out what the reviews say about this mid-range Verizon smartphone.
A lot of review sources have commended the Lumia 928 as an affordable smartphone with impressive features like dual core processor, AMOLED screen, 8.7 Megapixel PureView camera and a sleek body. Regarding the call quality, CNET review asserts it to be quite average whereas the PhoneArena review has praised the same, and they specifically mentioned that voice through the earpiece is more than audible and excellent.
Nokia Lumia 928 makes use of its hearing aid compatibility ratings of M3 T4 to give an effective output for communication, with a decent feature set and price to match.
3. LG Optimus G Pro
The LG Optimus G Pro is a perfect contender for HTC One in terms of strong spec sheet. This big Android phone has M3 T4 hearing aid compatibility which means that you can have hassle free calls. Optimus G Pro is a 5.5 inch phablet which packs a powerful battery and a latest version of the Android operating system.
Overall, the Optimus G Pro has got positive reviews for its voice quality. After testing the call quality, CNET conveys that the voice sounded clear and sharp, and volume range was at a reasonable level. The TechRadar review also confirms that the phone produced clear, noise-free voice calls and the rear speaker also produced exceptionally loud and clear sound even while driving.
The LG Optimus G Pro is a good smartphone and can be a worthy choice with mighty features and generous sound quality. And at the same time, the phone seems to be priced at a high range when compared with its rival models.
4. Apple iPhone 5
iPhone 5 is the latest smartphone offering from Apple with improved features, released after the hugely successful iPhone 4S. iPhone 5 features a 4 inch Retina Display screen for a great viewing experience. Apart from a host of innovative features, iPhone 5 (GSM model) has M3 T4 HAC ratings along with the support for considerable noise cancellation. Note that the iPhone 5 CDMA model has a better M4 T4 rating.
At the time of its release, iPhone 5 has got mostly positive reviews for its overall performance. With respect to the phone’s voice call sound quality, the PhoneArena review praises the iPhone’s impressive noise-cancellation feature and outlines the call quality to be glorious. Commending the Apple’s sound processing algorithms, the TechRadar review also mentions the call connection quality as excellent.
iPhone 5 comes with a larger screen and a better design. The productivity which the phone offers with the iOS apps combined with the best HAC ratings – makes the iPhone 5 one of the best phones in the market for the hearing impaired.
This list of the top smartphones was compiled in July 2013, and for a latest product listing, check out the ReviewGist page for the best smartphones for the hearing impaired. ReviewGist regularly scans for the latest products, matches them with expert reviews and then rates them to provide you a most updated buying recommendation.