FCC Ensures Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wirele Voice Technologies

Media Contact:

Cecilia Sulhoff, 202-418-0587

cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov

For Immediate Release

FCC ENSURES HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY FOR ALL

WIRELESS VOICE TECHNOLOGIES

Commission Also Proposes to Adopt a Landmark Agreement Between Consumer Advocates

and Industry Associations as the Pathway to Compatibility for 100% of Wireless Devices

--

WASHINGTON, November 19, 2015 - Today, the Federal Communications Commission took

major steps to ensure greater access to wireless communications services and handset devices for

the tens of millions of Americans with hearing loss. New rules and proposed rules passed today

reflect a consensus-driven approach to foster accessibility for individuals who are deaf and hard

of hearing while promoting innovation and investment by the wireless industry.

The action taken today has two parts. First, the Fourth Report and Order expands the scope of

the hearing aid compatibility rules to cover the wireless technologies of today and tomorrow.

Until now, the hearing aid compatibility rules generally were limited only to handsets that used

traditional cellular networks. Recognizing that wireless voice communications increasingly

operate via alternative technologies, the Commission has expanded the rules to cover IP-based

communications services like Wi-Fi Calling and Voice-over-LTE. In addition, the new rules will

require that future technologies comply with current and future hearing aid compatibility rules,

encouraging manufacturers to consider hearing aid compatibility at the earliest stages of the

product design process, ensuring that consumers with hearing loss are not always trying to catch

up to technology and providing industry with additional regulatory certainty.

Second, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on a landmark consensus plan that

would, for the first time, establish a consensus path to ensure that all wireless handsets are

accessible to and usable by people who use hearing aid devices and cochlear implants. The

consensus plan was developed through collaborative discussions between consumer and industry

representatives. The current hearing aid compatibility rules require service providers and handset

manufacturers to ensure that a specified fraction or number of their offerings are hearing aid

compliant. The consensus approach would give consumers with hearing loss the same range of

device choices available to any other consumer while at the same time preserving industry's

ability to innovate.

Action by the Commission November 19, 2015 by Report and Order and Notice of Proposed

Rulemaking (FCC 15-155). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and

O'Rielly approving. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and

O'Rielly issuing statements.

(WT Docket No. 07-250)

###

Office of Media Relations: (202) 418-0500

TTY: (888) 835-5322

Twitter: @FCC

www.fcc.gov/office-media-relations

This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action. Release of the full text of a Commission order

constitutes official action. See MCI v. FCC, 515 F.2d 385 (D.C. Cir. 1974).

LINK:	http://www.fcc.gov/document/fcc-ensures-hearing-aid-compatibility-wire...
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