Abstract: A magnetized hearing-aid earpiece inductive coupling system includes a hearing-aid earpiece including a magnetized assembly with an inductive coil. The earpiece also includes an earpiece controller that is communicatively coupled with the inductive coil and that controls adjustable settings of the earpiece. A hearing-aid programming device includes a magnetized coupler with a second inductive coil. The magnetized assembly and the magnetized coupler are configured to magnetically hold the two inductive coils in proximity to one another, such that the inductive coils inductively communicatively couple the earpiece controller with the hearing-aid programming device. The hearing-aid programming device is thereby enabled to instruct the earpiece controller to adjust the earpiece's adjustable settings.

Abstract: A speaker assembly, a method for manufacturing a speaker assembly and a wireless device are provided. Such a speaker assembly may include a diaphragm for generating sound, a transducer for causing the diaphragm to generate sound and an integrated inductive element that is electrically connected to the transducer. The diaphragm, transducer and integrated inductive element are contained within the speaker assembly.

Abstract: An apparatus comprising at least one signal coil; and a connection plug, comprising a first electrical connector connected to one end of at least one signal coil and a second electrical connector connected to a second end of at least one signal coil.

Abstract: A method for improving compatibility of a hearing aid with an antenna, in which at least a metal frame is provided near by a grounding surface of the antenna to change the direction of radiation of the antenna, thereby to enhance the directivity of the antenna on the side away from a hearing aid, and to reduce the quantity of radiation proceeding toward the hearing aid and to improve the near-field quantity (for about 3 dB) of an electric field of an HAC tested plane. This method can further increase the heights of the metal frames to reduce the near-field quantity of the electric field of HAC (hearing aid compatibility) tested plane.

Abstract: A hearing aid includes a magnetic sensor to sense a sound signal being a magnetic field. The magnetic sensor includes a telecoil to sensor the sound signal and a counter coil to cancel a noise signal resulting from electromagnetic interference. In one embodiment, a driver circuit for the counter coil allows for automatic adjustment of the hearing aid circuit for an interference null.

Abstract: A method and system to optimize the relative position of an inductive field of a hearing aid compatible device and a telecoil of a hearing assistive device, are provided. A Steerable Hearing Aid Compatible Device (SHAD) has a steerable inductive field for locating an inductive field in accordance with the location of a telecoil in the hearing assistive device. A Telecoil Hearing Assistive Device (THAD) has a telecoil and telecoil orientation tag. The location of the telecoil of the THAD is determined with respect to a reference system and this telecoil location information is stored on the telecoil orientation tag as Telecoil Location Information (TLI) and provided to the SHAD. In an exemplary embodiment the telecoil orientation tag may be an RFID tag that is read by a tag reader of the SHAD. The SHAD receives the TLI and generates an inductive field in accordance with the TLI, such as a position that is parallel to the telecoil of the THAD.

Abstract: An apparatus is provided that includes an input system, an output system, and a sensor for sensing magnetic fields. In one example, a signal processing circuit electrically connects the input system to the output system, and a magnetic sensor adapted to inhibit the acoustic input and function as a magnetic input in the presence of a magnetic field. In one example, the magnetic sensor includes a giant magneto resistive (GMR) sensor. In another example, the magnetic sensor includes an anisotropic magneto resistive (AMR) sensor. The magnetic field can be generated by, among other things, a magnet in a telephone handset. The hearing aid further is programmed based on time-varying characteristics of the magnetic field. Wireless activation or deactivation of the hearing aid is also described. Other examples and options are provided herein.

Abstract: A system for adapting a hearing aid to a user includes a unit generating an image of the user's ear together with a model of the hearing aid, wherein the model of the hearing aid in-situ includes a physical model of the hearing aid inserted in the user's ear prior to generating the image. The system also generates a mesh based on the image, calculates acoustic response to a simulated acoustic signal in the mesh, calculates a frequency response curve for a fixed position in the mesh, and identifies an optimal position of a microphone of the hearing aid in-situ from the acoustic response. They system also includes a comparator configured to compare the frequency response curve for the fixed position in the mesh with a maximum frequency response curve for the mesh stored by the system.

Abstract: A hearing aid is provided with a switch that automatically, non-manually, controls a configuration of the hearing aid in the presence of a magnetic field. In an embodiment, the switch in the hearing aid is configured to control a filtering configuration of the hearing aid in the presence of a magnetic field.

Abstract: An infrared (IR) emitter having a broad emission pattern driven by a frequency-modulated (FM) carrier signal enables electronic communication between multiple talkers and multiple listeners. A narrow reception pattern on the listener's receiving unit combined with the inherent capture effect of FM coding provides each listener with the means of easily and naturally selecting one of many talkers from a group. A close microphone for the talking party and a close earphone for the listening party enables the system to assist conversation particularly in the case of noisy environments by improving the signal to noise ratio. A similar system of broad emission transmitters and narrow reception can be used in other systems, such as a teleconferencing unit in which users have transmitters and receivers and a teleconferencing unit has multiple receivers arranged to receive signals in multiple different sectors.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising a primary winding and a corresponding primary core element, the primary winding/core element configured for the transmission of audio related signalling, using inductive coupling, with an appropriately positioned secondary core element/winding, the apparatus for providing induced audio related signals for an audio loop.

Abstract: A method for fabricating a speaker is disclosed. The speaker is equipped with a case having a through cavity, an inner surface forming the cavity and an outer surface, a magnetic bowl coupled to the case, a magnet positioned in the magnetic bowl, a pole plate covering the magnet, a magnetic gap formed by the magnet and the magnetic bowl, a diaphragm supported by the case and vibrating along a vibrating direction, a voice coil connected to the diaphragm, and a hearing aid coil formed on the case. The method includes the steps of: providing a case made of thermoplastic doped with organometallic additive; activating the organometallic additive in the case by a laser beam for forming initial pattern of the hearing aid coil in the inner surface of the case; and bathing the case in copper solution for providing the initial pattern with copper plating layer.

Abstract: Provided is a mobile wireless device, which is hearing aid-compatible and overcomes a limitation in space by using a magnetic coil equipped in a vibration motor without requiring an additional T-coil. The vibration motor is selectively connected to one of a data processing unit and a motor driving unit by a switching unit. The magnetic coil in the vibration motor receives a signal from the data processing unit and generates a magnetic field for hearing aid-compatibility. This magnetic signal is provided to an induction coil in a hearing aid a deaf person wears.

Abstract: A hearing aid is provided which comprise an audio signal input device (11), a signal processor (12) a signal output device (13) which presents a processed audio signal perceivable as sound to an ear of a user, where the signal processor comprises fast acting level estimators (8) and slow acting level estimators (8). According to the invention the fast acting level estimators has attack time constants around 10 ms, and release time constants in the range from 25 ms to 250 ms, and are implemented in a number of frequency bands not exceeding 8 bands and preferably 4 frequency bands, the slow acting level estimators (7) have attack time constants around 10 ms, and release time constants which are 4 to 5 times the release time constants of the fast acting level estimators (8), and are implemented in a number of frequency bands comprising no less than 10 bands and preferably 16 frequency bands.

Abstract: Inductive transmission to a hearing apparatus and in particular to a hearing device is to be improved. To this end, it is proposed to equip the hearing apparatus with two or three orthogonal coils. The coil signals are added with different signs and that signal which exhibits the highest level is forwarded from the resulting signals for further processing. It is thus possible to ensure an optimum reception quality in all alignments of the hearing apparatus.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed for wireless communications using a hearing aid, or other suitable receiver. According to one embodiment, a mobile phone device comprises an LCD display having a substantially planar top viewing surface, a transmitter for outputting an electromagnetic signal to an inductively-coupled hearing aid telecoil receiver, and a layer of austenitic stainless steel forming a support frame for the LCD display. A portion of the transmitter and the layer of austenitic stainless steel are positioned underneath the LCD display, thus providing a compact mobile phone design with negligible impact, or even improvement, of the output electromagnetic signal.

Abstract: A mobile station includes an adjustable member for increasing a separation distance between an audio signal output device and an electronic circuit to reduce EMI proximate the audio signal output device caused by the electronic circuit. In one embodiment, the adjustable member comprises a slide member that extends at least a portion of the audio signal output device away from the electronic circuit to increase the separation distance. In another embodiment, the adjustable member comprises a pivot member that rotates the electronic circuit (or audio signal output device) away from the audio signal output device (or electronic circuit) to increase the separation distance. In any event, increasing the separation distance between the audio signal output device and the electronic circuit decreases the EMI proximate the audio signal output device, and therefore EMI effects on external circuits proximate the mobile station, such as a hearing aid.

Abstract: An improved communication coupling device having a coupler coil with about 125 turns of wire about a bar-shaped core for use with a hearing aid having a hearing aid coil to accommodate individuals with various degrees of hearing loss to use a sound generation device such as a telephone.

Abstract: Structurally simple transmit/receive circuits for hearing devices are to be able to be deployed for higher frequencies as well. It is therefore proposed according to the invention that at least two PIN diodes should be connected in an anti-parallel manner between the receive oscillating circuit and the amplifier connected thereto to protect the amplifier. A capacitance diode can optionally be expanded so that larger component tolerances can be permitted for the circuit.

Abstract: An inductive coil arrangement is described for an ear canal of a recipient patient. An inner transmitter coil inserts into the ear canal for transmitting a communication signal through the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal. The transmitter coil includes transmission wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal conformal to the outer wall of the ear canal. An outer receiver coil is implantable under the skin of the outer wall of the ear canal for receiving the communication signal from the transmitter coil. The receiver coil includes receiver wire loops that lie substantially in a common plane which curves around the central axis of the ear canal substantially parallel to the transmitter coil.

Abstract: A system and method provides optimization of the strength and orientation of the inductive field of a hearing aid compatible (“HAC”) device, relative to a telecoil in a user's hearing aid. One aspect provides control of the drive level of a transmitting telecoil contained in the HAC device. Other aspects provide steering of the inductive field of the device by using a telecoil array and controlling the amplitude or phase of the signals transmitted by each telecoil in the array to create a composite field. Another aspect provides a plurality of transmitting telecoils arranged such that each telecoil has a different orientation, and a plurality of switches for controlling which transmitting telecoil is active. The user may then select the telecoil having a preferred orientation. Another aspect allows a transmitting telecoil to be physically oriented to an optimal position by embedding the telecoil in a substantially spherical element.

Abstract: A wireless communications device and method for providing an output signal. The device includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the wireless communications device; a selection element connected to the control unit and configured to allow selection of several modes of output coupling for generating the output signal of the device; and, a processor connected to the control unit for processing a received signal with parameters selected according to a selected mode of output coupling. The several modes of output coupling correspond to several modes of input operation for a hearing aid to improve coupling between the device and the hearing aid.

Abstract: A system and method provides optimization of the strength and orientation of the inductive field of a hearing aid compatible (“HAC”) device, relative to a telecoil in a user's hearing aid. One aspect provides control of the drive level of a transmitting telecoil contained in the HAC device. Other aspects provide steering of the inductive field of the device by using a telecoil array and controlling the amplitude or phase of the signals transmitted by each telecoil in the array to create a composite field. Another aspect provides a plurality of transmitting telecoils arranged such that each telecoil has a different orientation, and a plurality of switches for controlling which transmitting telecoil is active. The user may then select the telecoil having a preferred orientation. Another aspect allows a transmitting telecoil to be physically oriented to an optimal position by embedding the telecoil in a substantially spherical element.

Abstract: An electroacoustical apparatus and method is described that alters the output properties of an audio device to improve the sound properties for both hearing impaired and normal hearing listeners. The device includes a coil element of specific design and may incorporate digital signal processing techniques to modify audio signal output. The electrical device and method of processing provides for the beneficial alteration of sound waves to an audio signal, and further modification of the audio signal to provide for improved loudness and clarity characteristics. The improved characteristics provide for greater intelligibility of the audio signal to persons with hearing impairments and to persons with normal hearing.

Abstract: A microphone assembly comprising a transducer for receiving sound and outputting a corresponding control signal. The assembly also comprises means for detecting a magnetic field and outputting a signal relating to the field. A hearing aid comprising the assembly has a processor receiving the control signal and selecting between the microphone signal and a signal relating to the magnetic field, such as a signal received from a telephone hand set or a telecoil.

Abstract: Disclosed is an inductive coil comprising a non-conductive substrate, a plurality of insulator layers laminated in a stack over the non-conductive substrate, and a plurality of conductive layers interleaved between the insulator layers. A hole passes through the conductive and insulator layers, and a magnetic core is placed in the hole and over the substrate. Each of the conductive layers includes a single-layer conductive trace coiled around the hole with an isolating gap between each turn of the conductive trace. At least one plated via passes through at least one of the insulator layers to connect traces of at least two conductive layers. The inductive coil may be a Hearing Aid Compliant (HAC) T-coil, includable in a wireless communication device, such as a cellular phone. A method of manufacturing the inductive coil is also disclosed.

Abstract: A method and system to optimize the relative position of an inductive field of a hearing aid compatible device and a telecoil of a hearing assistive device, are provided. A Steerable Hearing Aid Compatible Device (SHAD) has a steerable inductive field for locating an inductive field in accordance with the location of a telecoil in the hearing assistive device. A Telecoil Hearing Assistive Device (THAD) has a telecoil and telecoil orientation tag. The location of the telecoil of the THAD is determined with respect to a reference system and this telecoil location information is stored on the telecoil orientation tag as Telecoil Location Information (TLI) and provided to the SHAD. In an exemplary embodiment the telecoil orientation tag may be an RFID tag that is read by a tag reader of the SHAD. The SHAD receives the TLI and generates an inductive field in accordance with the TLI, such as a position that is parallel to the telecoil of the THAD.

Abstract: There is provided a method for adjusting a system for providing hearing assistance to a user (101), the system comprising a microphone arrangement (26) for capturing audio signals, a transmission unit (102) for transmitting the audio signals via a wireless link (107) to a receiver unit (103) worn by the user, a gain control unit (126) located in the receiver unit for setting the gain applied to the audio signals, and means (38) worn at or in a user's ear (39) for stimulating the hearing of the user according to the audio signals from the receiver unit (103), said method comprising: generating test audio signals, transmitting said test audio signals at a pre-defined level from the transmission unit via the wireless link to the receiver unit and stimulating the user's hearing with said test audio signals via said stimulating means; simultaneously transmitting gain control commands from the transmission unit to the gain control unit in order to selectively change the gain set by the gain control unit; repeating

Abstract: An improved telephone handset for hearing-impaired persons. A passive device, in the form of an inductor wound about a highly magnetostrictive core, is connected with the speaker in the handset. The device has been found to improve intelligibility of speech delivered by the handset, when perceived by persons afflicted with certain types of hearing impairment.

Abstract: A low-power implant system. The system includes an implant for implantation into a person, such as a cochlear implant or a middle ear implant. The implant is capable of communicating with a device via transmission of ultra wideband pulses. The device may be adapted to be worn external to the person, or may be a second implant. So as to conserve battery power, the transmitted ultra wideband pulses may have a low duty cycle of approximately 1/1000 or less. Power savings may also be realized by using time-gating amplifiers in the implant and/or device receiver.

Abstract: An earpiece for communications comprises a frame, a vibration system disposed in the frame and a magnetic field system disposed in the frame. The vibration system includes a vibrating armature, a diaphragm and a connecting rod. The magnetic field system includes a magnet to generate a first magnetic field on a first axis and a coil to generate a second magnetic field on a second axis. One of the magnet and the coil is connected to the frame. The first and the second magnetic fields produce a net magnetic force to cause the vibration system to move. The first axis is parallel to the second axis.

Abstract: There is provided an apparatus comprising a primary winding and a corresponding primary core element, the primary winding/core element configured for the transmission of audio related signalling, using inductive coupling, with an appropriately positioned secondary core element/winding, the apparatus for providing induced audio related signals for an audio loop.

Abstract: A hearing system is provided, having a hearing device, an audio signal transmitter, an audio signal source for providing audio signals to the audio signal transmitter, an audio signal receiver unit adapted to establish a wireless link for transmission of the audio signals from the audio signal transmitter to the audio signal receiver unit which is connected to or integrated within the hearing device, a device for generating and wirelessly transmitting a polling signal to the audio signal receiver unit, a device for receiving the polling signal at the audio signal receiver unit, a device for generating and wirelessly transmitting a status information signal containing data regarding the status of the wireless audio signal link or the receiver unit, and a device for receiving the status information signal and displaying status information.

Abstract: An audio signal received at a mobile device is processed using a first set of equalization parameters in an acoustic coupling mode of operation, and is processed using a second set of equalization parameters in an inductive coupling mode of operation. The processed audio signal is transmitted to a speaker associated with the mobile device for acoustic coupling to a human ear and/or a hearing aid microphone, or for inductive coupling to a hearing aid telecoil.

Abstract: An apparatus and a method are provided for reducing an interference input coupling caused by asymmetrically embodied field lines of at least one hearing device component into a receiving antenna of a wireless data transmission facility of a hearing device. The apparatus includes at least one first means arranged in the hearing device, by means of which the asymmetry of the field lines is reduced and the field distortion is corrected. In addition, the receiving antenna can be geometrically adjusted to the outer interference field of the hearing device components such that interference currents induced in the antenna by means of field input coupling compensate.

Abstract: A wireless communications device and method for providing an output signal. The device includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the wireless communications device; a selection element connected to the control unit and configured to allow selection of several modes of output coupling for generating the output signal of the device; and, a processor connected to the control unit for processing a received signal with parameters selected according to a selected mode of output coupling. The several modes of output coupling correspond to several modes of input operation for a hearing aid to improve coupling between the device and the hearing aid.

Abstract: A peripheral for an electronic device having a speaker is provided. The peripheral includes an input device for placement proximal to the speaker for receiving audio information from the speaker. The peripheral includes an output device connected to the input device that is positioned distal from the input device and away from electromagnetic signals generated by the device. The output device presents the audio information to a hearing aid proximal to the output device. The output device is positioned at a distance such that the electromagnetic signals experienced by the input device is less than the signals experienced by the hearing aid. As a result, deleterious effects of signals otherwise experienced by the hearing aid are reduced.

Abstract: A wireless communications device and method for providing an output signal The device includes a control unit for controlling the operation of the wireless communications device; a selection element connected to the control unit and configured to allow selection of several modes of output coupling for generating the output signal of the device; and, a processor connected to the control unit for processing a received signal with parameters selected according to selected mode of output coupling. The several modes of output coupling correspond to several modes of input operation for a hearing aid to improve coupling between the device and the hearing aid.

Abstract: A hearing improvement device using a multi-coil coupling system and methods for operating such a device are disclosed. An embodiment of the present invention may use an array microphone to provide highly directional reception. The received audio signal may be filtered, amplified, and converted into a magnetic field for coupling to the telecoil in a conventional hearing aid. Multiple transmit inductors may be used to effectively couple to both in-the-ear and behind-the-ear type hearing aids, and an additional embodiment is disclosed which may be used with an earphone, for users not requiring a hearing aid.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to switch between transmit and receive modes in wireless hearing aids. Various aspects of the present subject matter relate to a communication system. Various embodiments of the communication system include an antenna with a resonant circuit having an inductive coil connected to a tuning capacitor. The communication system includes means to selectively drive the resonant circuit during a transmit mode, and means to selectively receive an induced signal in the resonant circuit during a receive mode. The communication system further includes means to selectively include a frequency shift canceling component in the resonant circuit to provide a first resonance frequency in the resonant circuit in the transmit mode and a second resonance frequency in the resonant circuit in the receive mode such that the first resonance frequency and the second resonance frequency are approximately equal. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided to switch between transmit and receive modes in wireless hearing aids. One aspect relates to an apparatus for use within a communication system that has an inductive coil connected to a tuning capacitor at a node. An amplifier is connected to the node through a DC blocking capacitor to receive an induced signal in the inductive coil in a receive mode. A driver energizes the inductive coil with a driven signal in a transmit mode. According to various embodiments, the apparatus transforms the inductive coil, the tuning capacitor and the DC blocking capacitor into an equivalent series resonant circuit to reduce an inductive load in the transmit mode, and transforms the inductive coil, the tuning capacitor and the DC blocking capacitor into an equivalent parallel resonant circuit to increase an inductive load in the receive mode.

Abstract: A method and apparatus configure an audio device to communicate audio information to a hearing aid by receiving location information defining a location of a receiving inductive coil of the hearing aid; aiming a transmitting inductive coil of the audio device at the location; and controlling the transmitting inductive coil to generate an electro-magnetic field to communicate the audio information.

Abstract: A hearing-aid system having two hearing aids that automatic detect a “telephoning” hearing situation and automatic deactivating of the hearing aids on being removed from the head. The hearing aids each include a sensor device to detect if a magnetic field exceeds a specific field strength. Data pertaining thereto can be exchanged between the hearing aids via wireless signals. If a magnetic field is detected by only one of the two hearing aids, then it can be inferred therefrom that the “telephoning” hearing situation applies. If, conversely, both hearing aids detect a magnetic field simultaneously, then both hearing aids are will be deactivated automatically.

Abstract: In a hearing aid with a magnetic field-controlled switch and a method for operating such a hearing aid, the magnetic field sensor for automatically switching the hearing aid is miniaturized and made more cost-effective by the use of a ferrite component as the magnetic field sensor. This component can be evaluated by a Wheatstone bridge circuit which is fed by an oscillator. In this context, a measuring amplifier with a threshold value detector supplies a corresponding switching signal for the hearing aid.

Abstract: A comfortable device that combines the functionality of a hearing aid with that of a headset is to be provided. A hearing aid device (H) is thus provided which comprises a rotary switch, on which is arranged a directional microphone. In a first rotary position corresponding to the hearing aid mode, the directional microphone points horizontally forwards, whilst in the second rotary position corresponding to a telephone mode, the directional microphone points towards the mouth of the wearer. The hearing aid device is switched into the corresponding mode by rotating the directional microphone.

Abstract: Systems, devices and methods are provided for selectively coupling hearing aids to electromagnetic fields. One aspect relates to a hearing aid device. In various embodiments, the hearing aid device includes an induction signal receiver for receiving induction signals, a microphone system for receiving acoustic signals, a hearing aid receiver, and a signal processing circuit. The signal processing circuit includes a proximity sensor for detecting an induction source. The signal processing circuit presents a first signal to the hearing aid receiver that is representative of the acoustic signals. When the induction source is detected, the signal processing circuit presents a second signal to the hearing aid receiver that is representative of the induction signals and transmits a third signal representative of the induction signals from the hearing aid device to a second hearing aid device. Other aspects are provided herein.

Abstract: To allow bidirectional data communication to be realized in hearing aids which have only a restricted installation space, the earphone, i.e. the electroacoustic transducer unit, is used as the transmitter and the telephone coil as the receiver for high-frequency signal components. This makes it possible to dispense with the installation of an additional antenna, generally of a large volume, that is optimized for transmitting and receiving operations. If appropriate, a small additional antenna may also be used purely as a receiving antenna for high-frequency signals.

Abstract: An electromagnetic field signal communications system (100) is based on a specially configured sending transducer (30), having electrical conductors (32) wound onto a generally circular core (33) including an air gap (34) from which its electromagnetic fields (40) are generated when excited with input electrical audio or data (20) signals. The transducer (30) transmits by projecting these electromagnetic fields (40) onto adjacent signal receiving transducers (51/56) that transform the electromagnetic field (40) into proportional electrical signals. The electromagnetic fields (40) are transformed by a receiving transducer (51) located in an adjacent hearing aid device (50) such that input audio electrical input signals, which are processed by circuitry (53), bypass the hearing aid microphone (52) and are routed to the eardrum speaker (55).

Abstract: A hearing system for producing audio signals perceptible to an individual. The hearing system includes a transducer having a surface adapted to attach to a middle-ear acoustic member of the individual, wherein the transducer is responsive to variations in a magnetic field emitted by a transmitter to directly vibrate the acoustic member. The transmitter is supported within an ear canal of the individual. The transmitter has a coil and a core positioned so that the distal end of the core is located at a predetermined distance and orientation relative to the transducer.

Abstract: An audio device is provided that is in electrical communication with a magnetic coil for the purpose of increasing magnetic field emissions generated by the device. The magnetic coil may be disposed on a flexible substrate in multi-turn and multi-layer format or disposed on a foldable flexible substrate in multi-turn and multi-layer format. Additionally, the magnetic coil may be disposed on the device's printed circuit board or the coil may be a freestanding, substrate-free coil assembly. The magnetic coil may be placed and secured in various locations within the device to maximize magnetic field emissions and minimize problems related to space limitations. The increased magnetic field results in a device that is hearing-aid compatible as defined by the Federal Communications Commission.