AT&T Wireless Services to offer cellular access to hearing aid users.KIRKLAND, Wash.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--Dec. 20, 1995--AT&T Wireless Services announced today the launch of a pilot program that will reach out to the community of some 30 million Americans with hearing disabilities and enable them to use cellular phones for the first time. AT&T has purchased a limited number of HATIS HATIS Hearing Aid Telephone Interconnection System (hearing aid telephone interconnect system) devices which it will distribute to potential cellular customers who use standard t-switch hearing aids Hearing Aids Definition A hearing aid is a device that can amplify sound waves in order to help a deaf or hard-of-hearing person hear sounds more clearly. . The device will be offered in several key markets, at no cost during the first quarter of 1996, in exchange for feedback on the product's compatibility with cellular phones. The HATIS adapter, produced by Phoenix Management Inc. allows a person with a standard t-switch hearing aid to direct connect their aid to a cellular phone. The hearing aid becomes the receiver, increasing volume and funneling out extraneous ex·tra·ne·ous adj. 1. Not constituting a vital element or part. 2. Inessential or unrelated to the topic or matter at hand; irrelevant. See Synonyms at irrelevant. 3. noise. "This program is just one of many AT&T programs that make our products and services accessible to people with disabilities," notes Steve Hooper hoop·er n. A maker or repairer of barrels and tubs; a cooper. , AT&T Wireless Services president and chief executive officer. Hooper adds the company sees a strong market opportunity to serve consumers with disabilities who can use wireless technology to immediately improve their quality of life. The company's accessible services currently include hearing aid compatible air-to-ground phones; cellular phones that work with portable TTYs (Telecommunications Devices for the Deaf); alphanumeric alphanumeric (ăl'fən  mĕr`ĭk) or alphameric (ăl'fəmĕr`ĭk), the set of letters and numbers. paging services for people who are deaf and hard of hearing; and a variety of cellular phones that can be mounted on wheelchairs. AT&T Wireless Services Inc. is the nation's largest provider of cellular service offering wireless voice and data communications data communications, application of telecommunications technology to the problem of transmitting data, especially to, from, or between computers. In popular usage, it is said that data communications make it possible for one computer to "talk" with another. . The company has nearly 5 million cellular customers and licenses to eventually cover 80 percent of the United States United States, officially United States of America, republic (2005 est. pop. 295,734,000), 3,539,227 sq mi (9,166,598 sq km), North America. The United States is the world's third largest country in population and the fourth largest country in area. . The company is the nation's fifth largest messaging service provider and a world leader in air-to-ground communications services. CONTACT: AT&T Wireless Services Inc. Bob Ratliffe, 206/828-8685 or 206/979-4524 (cellular) Laura Ruby, 206/994-8907 (pager) |
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