Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)

July 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) issued a Public Notice announcing that the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) has filed a “petition for rulemaking requesting the Commission to revise its Part 68 hearing aid compatibility (HAC) volume control gain requirements for terminal equipment.”  The TIA specifically requests that the rules be revised to reference ANSI/TIA-4965, the latest TIA standards to address volume control requirements for HAC, in order to improve access to emergency services and provide “regulatory certainty for manufacturers.”  Comments on the

In 2005, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) began implementing new rules to make cell phones "compatible" with hearing aids and cochlear implants. Cell phones that are compatible with hearing aids" produce minimal electromagnetic interference, which causes static when the phone is near the ear with the hearing aid.

July 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Enforcement Bureau released a Public Notice reminding all wireless handset manufacturers that they have until July 15, 2013 to file reports regarding compliance with hearing aid compatibility rules.  The rules require manufacturers to “offer a minimum number of hearing-aid compatible handsets,” while providing information to consumers on their availability.  Failure to comply with reporting and hearing aid compatibility rules may result in fines.

June 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission has settled with Airadigm Communications and TeleGuam Holdings following investigations into lack of compliance with hearing aid compatibility rules.

February 2013 — The Federal Communications Commission’s (FCC) Fiscal Year (FY) 2012 Annual Performance Report was released in early February and summarizes the FCC’s work on accomplishing strategic goals and meeting performance commitments established in the FCC FY 2012 Annual Performance Plan.