On 17th Oct 2024, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) unveiled a new regulation mandating that all smartphones must be compatible with hearing aids.
The FCC stated, “All mobile handsets—like smartphones—must be compatible with hearing aids. With this change, the 48 million Americans with hearing loss will have the same selection of mobile phone models as all other consumer
The decision reflects the FCC’s commitment to ensuring that individuals with hearing impairments can enjoy the same technological advancements as the general public, fostering greater inclusion in communication and connectivity.
Key points:
- This new FCC regulations guarantee that Americans with hearing loss can choose from a wide array of mobile handsets without facing compatibility issues.
- A new Bluetooth coupling requirement promotes universal connectivity between hearing aids and mobile devices, enhancing the user experience across all smartphone models.
- The regulations establish standards for volume control and implement clear labelling to assist consumers in making informed decisions when buying hearing aid-compatible mobile phones.
The Order sets transition periods of 24 months for handset manufacturers, 30 months for nationwide service providers, and 42 months for non-nationwide service providers. These extended transition periods will ensure that consumers with hearing loss quickly benefit from the mandate for 100% hearing aid compatibility (HAC).
