The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has unanimously approved a rule requiring all mobile phones to be compatible with hearing aids. The decision could free up access to devices for 48 million people.
After a transition period, the rule will ensure that people with hearing loss have access to the same cell phone models available to all consumers, the FCC explained.
The FCC said the rule was made possible through the collaborative efforts of members of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force, an independent organization of wireless service providers, cell phone manufacturers, research institutions, and hearing loss advocacy groups.
FCC Chairwoman Jessica Rosenworcel said hearing loss is the most common service-related problem experienced by U.S. military veterans.
“They deserve access to every wireless device on the market. They have the right to talk, connect, and live their lives wirelessly, just like many of us.”
The FCC also established Bluetooth connectivity requirements to ensure improved universal connectivity between mobile phones and hearing aids. It aims to achieve this “by encouraging mobile phone manufacturers to move away from proprietary Bluetooth bonding standards.”
Consumers will be informed through a POS label that explains whether the handset is certified as hearing aid compatible and whether it meets requirements for hearing aid or Bluetooth coupling.
The label also includes information about how high the handset volume can be raised while still meeting control requirements.
