I’m a vocal supporter of accessibility in the tech industry, but unfortunately we don’t often celebrate it. This week, the Federal Communications Commission won a rare victory by requiring all cell phones to be compatible with hearing aids.
The new mandate, announced Thursday, also prevents mobile phone manufacturers from incorporating proprietary Bluetooth standards into their products because it could complicate the process of connecting to hearing aids. Instead, new Bluetooth pairing requirements have been established to facilitate a simpler and more universal connection between smartphones and hearing aids.
The FCC also asked smartphone manufacturers to ensure their devices meet volume control benchmarks so users can increase the volume on their smartphones without distorting content. Increasing the volume on your device often reveals its weaknesses, causing loss of clarity and detail. So I’m glad that there is finally a check on this measure. This particular requirement also helps people without hearing loss.
The mandate requires that smartphone labeling and product information on websites be revised to include more details to help people with hearing problems make informed purchasing decisions. These details include whether the product is compatible with hearing aids, meets new Bluetooth pairing requirements, and whether the volume can be adjusted without sacrificing sound quality.
According to an FCC fact sheet, the transition period to adapt to the new mandate is 24 months for smartphone manufacturers, 30 months for national service providers, and 42 months for non-national providers. is. It added that once the transition period ends, incompatible devices will no longer be sold. Manufacturers can continue to sell products that fall under the old certification standards until the end of their respective periods.
Apple announced hearing aid capabilities for AirPods Pro 2 in June 2024. This is the latest big move towards accessibility in the industry. The U.S. Food and Drug Administration quickly approved this feature, paving the way for over-the-counter hearing aid options.
