Cellular Phones
Model Z502a
Expressive Imaging Style
Model Z712a .
Extended Communications
Cellular Accessories
Ultraclear Sound Shaping
Power Neckloop CLA7
Information and Frequently Asked Questions
Below are some popular questions our customers have asked. If you have a question that is not listed, please feel free to contact our customer service department at [email protected] and they will be happy to answer your question.
Hearing Impaired
- What does the Hearing Aid Compatibility Rating M and T mean?
- Click here to see the SE Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Reports
- Why won’t my hearing aid work with my mobile phone?
- Can I use a cellular phone with my hearing aid?
- What is the clicking or buzzing that I hear in my hearing aid when using a digital cellular phone?
- What is the Telephone Relay Service(TRS) & how does it work?
- How can I tell if my cellular phone is ringing?
- How can I use a Cellular Phone if my TTY only supports the connection through the TTY telephone handset muffs?
- What is VCO & HCO and how does it work?
- Does VCO Work with Cellular Phones?
Visually Impaired
- What products and accessories are available for the visually impaired?
Physically Impaired
- How do I use the hands-free function on my cellular phone?
Speech Impaired
- What is the Telephone Relay Service(TRS) & how does it work?
- What products and accessories are available for individuals with speech impairment?
- What is HCO and VCO?
Cellular Technology
- What is Sony Ericsson’s commitment to making products accessible?
- How does wireless technology work?
- How is the cellular industry structured?
- What is the difference between “Analog” and “Digital”?
- Are there different types of digital communications in the U.S?
- What model phones are recommended for individuals with a hearing loss?
Hearing Impaired
What does the Hearing Aid Compatibility Rating M and T mean?
The model handset rated HAC compliant was designed to comply with the requirements set forth in Section 20.19 of the Federal Communication Commission’s (FCC) rules governing hearing aid compatibility (HAC), for the reduction of RF interference and magnetic coupling (T-coil) to hearing aids. The Microphone (M) rating and T-coil (T) rating is defined and labeled on the handset box. Devices meeting HAC compliance must have a minimum M3 and/or T3 rating or above as defined by the FCC in accordance with the latest ANSI Standard C63.19. The (M) rating refers to lower RF emission levels of the handset. The (T) rating refers to the magnetic coupling between the handset and the T-coil compatible hearing aid. Some hearing aids are also provided an (M) rating, and are more immune than others to interference. To determine the (M) rating of your hearing aid, please contact your hearing health professional.
To improve this compatibility between digital phones and hearing aids Sony Ericsson, along with manufacturers of hearing aids, and independent research centers are conducting joint projects and studies to reduce the effects of interference.
By contacting the Sony Ericsson Special Needs Center’s toll free number at (877) 207-2056 voice or (877) 878-1996 TTY, a customer service representative trained in assistive products can help you select the best phone and accessory for your hearing needs.
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Why won’t my hearing aid work with my mobile phone?
Users of hearing aids often experience disturbances due to EMI (electromagnetic interference) from various types of electrical devices including digital mobile phones. The rapid pulsation of radio signals from digital mobile phones can give rise to a buzzing, humming, squealing, or squelch inside the hearing aid for the user. The level of interference depends primarily on the electromagnetic immunity of the hearing aid, but also on the type of mobile phone, its output power and the separated distance to the hearing aid.
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Can I use a cellular phone with my hearing aid?
The degree of hearing loss and the type of hearing aid used makes it impossible to make a single product that solves everyone’s hearing problem. The key for the hard of hearing consumer is that Sony Ericsson gives you many options to help you hear the best that you can while using a cellular phone.
Today, many digital mobile phones that use CDMA, GSM, or UMTS technologies are compatible with your hearing aid. While some can cause interference with your hearing aid when held close to the ear and the aid, studies have shown that those devices with HAC ratings ( M3 or greater ) work well with consumers hearing aids that are also digital by design.
Hands-Free devices that are compatible with T-coil equiped hearing aids, will give you additional compatibility through the separation and distance that a Hands-Free provided the user. This helps to reduce the interference, and will also provide excellent sound quality while providing the user with more flexibility and hand-use, making their conversation on the phone more flexible and convenient.
If your hearing aid has a T-coil you can use either the ClearSounds Neck Loop, or a magnetic silhouette to magnetically couple with your hearing aid.
It may also be possible to use of one of the traditional portable Hands-Free (in-the-ear) accessories. This device provides an “ear bud” to seal the speaker in the ear, and a microphone built into the cable to allow the phone to be located on or at the belt.
If you call the Sony Ericsson Special Needs Center’s toll free number at 877.207.2056(v) or 877.878.1996(TTY) a customer service representative trained in assistive products can help you select the best phone and accessory for your needs.
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What is the clicking or buzzing that I hear in my hearing aid when using a digital cellular phone?
Users of hearing aids often experience disturbances due to EMI (electromagnetic interference) from various types of electrical devices including digital mobile phones.
The rapid pulsation of radio signals from digital mobile phones can give rise to a buzzing, humming, squealing, or squelch inside the hearing aid for the user. The level of interference depends primarily on the electromagnetic immunity of the hearing aid, but also on the type of mobile phone, its output power and the separated distance to the hearing aid.
To improve this compatibility between digital phones and hearing aids Sony Ericsson, along with manufacturers of hearing aids, and independent research centers are conducting joint projects and studies to reduce the effects of interference.
Analog phones provide the least risk of any electromagnetic interference that might be picked up by the users hearing aid.
For digital mobile phones, a person wearing a hearing aid should use the Hands-Free devices to enable them to use the phone without placing the phone at their ear, thus avoiding the risk of disturbance in the hearing aid.
By contacting the Sony Ericsson Special Needs Center’s toll free number at (877)207-2056 voice or (877)878-1996 TTY, a customer service representative trained in assistive products can help you select the best phone and accessory for your hearing needs.
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What is the Telephone Relay Service(TRS) & how does it work?
Telephone Relay Services (TRS) link people using a standard (voice) telephone with people using a device called either a Text Telephone (TTY) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). This device generally consists of a keyboard and display screen.
Calls are routed through a communications operator who has both sets of equipment and who acts as the intermediary between callers. Such services eliminate communications barriers between people with and without hearing/speech impairments, and between the different telephone equipment they typically use.
Telephone Relay Services are provided at no additional cost over the basic cost of the local or long distance charge. Both wire based and cellular calls can be made through the relay system although there are some problems in properly charging for long distance cellular calls.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all States provide local intra-state relay services and there are also inter-state relay service providers.
Typical Relay Operation
A deaf or speech impaired person (TTY User) wishing to make a call first calls the relay service on their text access number. The operator at the relay service who answers the call checks where they are calling from and the number they wish to call. The operator then proceeds to make a call on a separate line to the hearing customer and explains the service to them. Once both parties are on-line, the operator reads out the text from the TTY customer to the hearing customer, and types the hearing customer’s reply to the deaf customer. This is in essence is the relay process.
Deaf people who have good voices may, if they wish, and if the relay has the facility, talk directly to the hearing person. This facility is known as “Voice Carry-Over” or “VCO”.
People who are speech impaired who can hear can, if they wish, listen directly to the other party and then talk through their TTY and the relay operator. This facility is known as “Hearing Carry Over” or “HCO”.
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How can I tell if my cellular phone is ringing?
There are many different ways to tell if your phone is receiving an incoming call. Depending on the phone model selected and the various features that the phone offers you might see any of the following features on a Sony Ericsson phone.
(1)The phone selected may have a multiple ring option allowing the user to program a ring tone or even a melody tone, and the loudness of the tone in the phone for incoming calls. Some models allow the user to do a mixture of both.
(2) Some Sony Ericsson phones have an LED (Light emitting diode). A user may also see the LED rapidly flashing green during an incoming call.
(3) The phone display will also light up on an incoming call, flashing the backlight of the display. Along with that the phone will display the message on the screen CALL RECEIVE and will flash in the display.
(4) Phone models also offer a built in Vibration alert, to allow the user to know when an incoming call is being received. Upon the incoming call the vibration alert begins pulsing the phone with user programmable options of ring with vibration, or vibration only.
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How can I use a Cell Phone if my TTY only supports the connection through the handset muffs?
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What is VCO & HCO and how does it work?
Hearing Carry Over(HCO) provides individuals with speech impairments that are not Deaf or Hard or hearing the ability to type their messages on a TTY device for the call takers and hear the call takers spoken responses or replies through their handsets.
Voice Carry Over (VCO) is a feature of the relay services that allow TTY users with good speech to talk, while using the TTY to read, as text, the incoming message or reply. This method can be accomplished by picking up the telephone handset to speak and replacing it in the TTY cradle each time to receive the typed message.
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Does VCO Work with Cellular Phones?
For people who use older TTYs with acoustic cups, you can use the Ericsson T-1000 with your cell phone to make connection with the relay. Simply tell the relay operator that you want VCO.
When it is your turn to talk, you pick up the T-1000, talk and then reset the T-1000 back into the cups when it is the other party’s turn to speak. Yu will then read their conversation as it is typed by the relay operator.
If you have a modern TTY, like the Q90, you simply talk into the keyboard where there is a microphone that activates when you push the VCO key. When the relay operator types, you read the other side of the conversation. This is a really easy way to use cellular & VCO.
Sony Ericsson mobile phones make it easy to talk to anyone, anywhere, at anytime.
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Visually Impaired
What products and accessories are available for the visually impaired?
Sony Ericsson’s mobile phones are designed with tactilely discernible function keys which control the menu navigation, and nibs on the 5 key to allow for quick location of the adjacent keys when dialing, without requiring the need to look at the keypad. In addition, there are separate “power on/off” keys.
The displays offer available options to select backlighting options, contrast, and illumination for low vision.
Sony Ericsson is also developing their future mobile phones with voice recognition systems. These systems are easily programmed to operate upon the command of your voice for easy dialing of phone numbers and menu commands.
By contacting the Sony Ericsson Special Needs Center’s toll free number at 877.207.2056 Voice or 877.878.1996 TTY, a customer service representative trained in assistive products can help you select the best phone and accessory to meet your visual needs.
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Physically Impaired
How do I use the hands-free function on my cellular phone?
There are a number of ways in which you can use your Sony Ericsson mobile phone in a hands-free environment. One is using the convenient portable hands-free accessory designed to provide the user with a cabled ear bud and microphone that clips to the shirt for easy, effective hands-free communication. This portable solution may be used in your automobile, at your desk, on a boat, or anywhere you need hands-free operation. Sony Ericsson’s vehicle hands-free solution lets you use both hands to drive, while positioning the phone in a cradle, and using the “any key” answering feature to answer incoming calls while keeping your eyes on the road.
Sony Ericsson is also developing their future mobile phones with voice recognition systems. These systems are easily programmed to operate upon the command of your voice for dialing phone numbers or menu navigation.
By contacting the Sony Ericsson Special Needs Center’s toll free number at 877.207.2056 voice or 877.878.1996 TTY, a customer service representative trained in assistive products can help you select the best phone and accessory to meet your mobility needs.
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Speech Impaired
What is the Telephone Relay Service(TRS) & how does it work?
Telephone Relay Services (TRS) link people using a standard (voice) telephone with people using a device called either a Text Telephone (TTY) or Telecommunications Device for the Deaf (TDD). This device generally consists of a keyboard and display screen.
Calls are routed through a communications operator who has both sets of equipment and who acts as the intermediary between callers. Such services eliminate communications barriers between people with and without hearing/speech impairments, and between the different telephone equipment they typically use.
Telephone Relay Services are provided at no additional cost over the basic cost of the local or long distance charge. Both wire based and cellular calls can be made through the relay system although there are some problems in properly charging for long distance cellular calls.
The Americans with Disabilities Act requires that all States provide local intra-state relay services and there are also inter-state relay service providers.
Typical Relay Operation
A deaf or speech impaired person (TTY User) wishing to make a call first calls the relay service on their text access number. The operator at the relay service who answers the call checks where they are calling from and the number they wish to call. The operator then proceeds to make a call on a separate line to the hearing customer and explains the service to them. Once both parties are on-line, the operator reads out the text from the TTY customer to the hearing customer, and types the hearing customer’s reply to the deaf customer. This is in essence is the relay process.
Deaf people who have good voices may, if they wish, and if the relay has the facility, talk directly to the hearing person. This facility is known as “Voice Carry-Over” or “VCO”.
People who are speech impaired who can hear can, if they wish, listen directly to the other party and then talk through their TTY and the relay operator. This facility is known as “Hearing Carry Over” or “HCO”.
Back to top
What products and accessories are available for individuals with speech impairment?
By contacting the Sony Ericsson Special Needs Center’s toll free number at 877.207.2056 voice or 877.878.1996 TTY, a customer service representative trained in assistive products can help you select the best phone and accessory to meet your speech needs.
Back to top
What is HCO and VCO?
Hearing Carry Over(HCO) provides individuals with speech impairments that are not Deaf or Hard or hearing the ability to type their messages on a TTY device for the call takers and hear the call takers spoken responses or replies through their handsets.
Voice Carry Over (VCO) is a feature of the relay services that allow TTY users with good speech to talk, while using the TTY to read, as text, the incoming message or reply. This method can be accomplished by picking up the telephone handset to speak and replacing it in the TTY cradle each time to receive the typed message.
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Cellular Technology
What is Sony Ericsson’s commitment to making products accessible?
Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications (USA) Inc., is committed to enhancing and developing new accessible communication products for use by our customers worldwide, including individuals who are disabled or who have special needs. As a leader in providing innovative designs and products for telecommunications, Sony Ericsson is working to provide devices and solutions that make our products more accessible to everyone. We continuously think about the needs of tomorrow’s communicator, and drive intelligent solutions that enable all individuals to be heard, wherever you are, however you need to communicate.
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How does wireless technology work?
When you make a call on your wireless phone, the message is transmitted by low-energy radio signals to an acceptable antenna site which connects with the local phone network.
Your call is delivered by the phone lines to the office or home you dialed, or by radio signals to another wireless phone.
Wireless technology uses individual radio frequencies over and over again by dividing a service area into separate geographic zones called cells. Cells can be as small as an individual building (an airport or arena for example) or as big as 20 miles across.
Each cell is equipped with its own radio transmitter/receiver antenna.
Because the system operates at such low power, a frequency being used to carry a phone conversation in one cell can be used to carry another conversation in a nearby cell without interference. (This allows much greater capacity than radio systems like Citizens Band (CB) in which all users must try to get their messages on the same limited channels.)
When a customer using a wireless phone – car phone or portable – approaches the boundary of one cell, the wireless network senses that the signal is becoming weak and automatically hands off the call to the antenna in the next cell into which the caller is traveling.
When subscribers travel beyond their home geographical area, they can still make wireless calls. The wireless carrier in the area where they are traveling provides the service to the subscriber. This is called roaming.
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How is the cellular industry structured?
There are three major components to the wireless industry.
They are:
- Manufacturers
- Carriers or service providers, and
- Third-party agents.
Manufacturers
Make the wireless equipment – the telephone handsets – while secondary market manufacturers usually contract with the manufacturers to make the variety of accessories that accompany many wireless telephones.
Carriers
Provide the actual cellular telephone service including the phone number that is assigned to the wireless telephone.
Third-party agents
Are companies, not affiliated with either the manufacturers or the carriers, who sell service and/or telephone equipment.
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What is the difference between analog and digital?
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Are there different types of digital communications in the U.S?
The types of digital cummunications available in the U.S. are:
- TDMA, which operates on both the 800 and 1900 MHz frequencies
- GSM 1900, which also uses the 1900 MHz frequency
- CDMA, which uses the 800 and 1900 MHz frequency.
- UMTS, which uses the 800, 1700, 1900, and 2100 MHz frequency.
With a digital mobile phone you have the capability to connect your phone to your laptop and send and receive emails, faxes, securely access you company’s LAN, send and receive SMS (short message system) messages, and even browse the Internet.
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What model phones are recommended for individuals with a hearing loss?
- T292a
- Z502a
- W712a
- Z712a
For additional HAC compliant models, see the HAC Status Reports
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Sony Ericsson HAC Status Reports
- SE HAC Status Report – Jan 2009
- SE HAC Status Report – Jul 2009
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