FCC Mandates Hearing Aid Compatibility for All Mobile Phones

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted new rules on October 17, 2024, by Report and Order (FCC 24-112), which, after a transition period, mandate compatibility between all mobile phones and hearing aids, thereby improving access to mobile technology for individuals with hearing loss. This development opens up a wider selection for the 48 million Americans experiencing hearing loss, allowing them to choose from the same range of mobile phone models available to the general public.

Key points:

1. The updated FCC regulations ensure that Americans with hearing loss select from a comprehensive range of mobile handsets without facing compatibility limitations.
2. The Order establishes transition periods of 24 months for handset manufacturers, 30 months for nationwide service providers, and 42 months for non-nationwide service providers. These comprehensive transition periods will ensure that consumers with hearing loss swiftly benefit from the requirement for 100% hearing aid compatibility (HAC).
3. A newly established Bluetooth coupling requirement facilitates universal connectivity between hearing aids and mobile devices. This means that regardless of the mobile phone model, users with hearing aids can enjoy a seamless and reliable connection, significantly enhancing their user experience.
4. These regulations also introduce standards for volume control and clear labeling, aiding consumers in making informed decisions when purchasing hearing aid-compatible mobile phones.

New Rule Enhances Technology Access

With the introduction of these new regulations, individuals with hearing impairments will gain greater freedom over their choices in technology, features, and pricing within the mobile handset marketplace after an initial transition phase. The FCC asserts that this major overhaul not only empowers but also incorporates all Americans into the advancements of the mobile industry.

Additionally, the Commission has implemented a requirement for Bluetooth coupling, which will ensure universal connectivity between mobile devices and hearing aids, including over-the-counter options. This initiative encourages manufacturers to shift away from proprietary Bluetooth coupling standards.

Volume Control Benchmarks

The Report and Order stipulates that all new mobile handsets sold in the United States must adhere to specific volume control benchmarks. These standards guarantee clear audio for users by enabling them to increase the handset’s volume without introducing distortions. This is particularly beneficial for consumers with hearing loss who either do not use hearing aids or rely on devices such as hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Consumer Information

The new regulations also update labeling and online posting requirements to provide consumers with the vital information needed to make informed purchasing decisions. Point-of-sale labeling will clarify whether a handset is certified as hearing aid compatible if it meets telecoil or Bluetooth coupling standards and disclose the device’s conversational gain—essentially detailing how much the audio volume can be intensified while remaining compliant with volume control regulations.

Transition period and Sunsetting the HAC De Minimis Exception

The Order establishes transition periods of 24 months for handset manufacturers, 30 months for nationwide service providers, and 42 months for non-nationwide service providers. These comprehensive transition periods will ensure that consumers with hearing loss swiftly benefit from the requirement for 100% hearing aid compatibility (HAC).

The Order allows handset manufacturers and service providers to continue to offer handset models that are certified as hearing aid-compatible under older certification standards as long as these handset models were offered before the end of the relevant transition periods. This approach will ensure that older hearing aid-compatible handset models, which tend to be lower priced, continue to be available for consumers to consider for purchase during the remaining product cycle.

Currently, section 20.19(e) of the FCC rules contains an exception to the handset model deployment benchmarks based on the number of handset models handset manufacturers and service providers offer for sale or use in the United States. In the recently released 100% HAC Notice, the FCC concluded they would eliminate the de minimis exception because maintaining the exception would be inconsistent with the objective of adopting a 100% hearing aid compatibility requirement. Specifically, they concluded they should eliminate the exception based on the applicable 100% hearing aid compatibility transition periods for handset manufacturers and service providers.

The establishment of a requirement for hearing aid compatibility across all mobile handsets has been achieved through the collaborative efforts of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force. This independent body, comprising wireless service providers, handset manufacturers, research institutions, and advocates representing those with hearing loss, has played a crucial role in ensuring that the FCC can successfully mandate that all mobile handsets meet hearing aid compatibility standards.

Source References:

FCC Requires All Mobile Phones to be Hearing Aid-Compatible

Achieving 100% Wireless Handset Model Hearing Aid Compatibility Report and Order WT Docket No. 23-388