Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force Makes Recommendations to FCC
The FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force recommended what the group says is a path to 100% compatibility for wireless handsets. The group started work in 2020 (see 2002070027). “Consumer advocates and industry representatives worked hand-in-hand for years to offer…
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the FCC a path forward to 100% handset compatibility, per our charter,” said James Craig, task force chair and manager-accessibility standards at Apple, Friday. “We are confident that the recommendations outlined in this report will help ensure the best outcome for all Americans, especially those with hearing loss who rely on this technology," Craig said. Industry groups also applauded the report. “Wireless offers opportunity and connectivity to Americans of all abilities, needs and situations,” said CTIA President Meredith Baker: “This report is the result of years of strong collaboration between the accessibility community and the wireless industry that promotes innovation, reflects marketplace developments and will benefit consumers with hearing loss.” Groups participating include the Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA, the Hearing Loss Association of America, the National Association of the Deaf, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing, and the Telecommunications Industry Association. The report recommends a revised definition of HAC to say a compatible handset “(a) has an internal means for compatibility (b) that meets established technical standards for hearing aid coupling or compatibility, and (c) is usable.” The FCC should also “consider, along with a more flexible definition of HAC, factors such as ease-of-use, reliability, industry adoption, and consumer use and adoption when evaluating what technical standards meet the above proposed HAC definition,” the report said. For the short-term, the task force recommends “a limited, interim waiver of current transition to the 2019 ANSI Standard that allows wireless handsets to meet a modified volume control test that ensures increased amplification for hearing device users until the TIA 5050 standard has been revised and adopted into the FCC’s rules.” It asks the commission to “adjust the deployment benchmarks for manufacturers (four years from the effective date of an FCC order based on this report) and for service providers (five years from the effective date of an FCC order).” The FCC should also “incorporate” into its rules “an adjusted volume control testing method that accomplishes the goal of increased amplification (i.e., need articulated by user advocates) with an updated testing methodology that better reflects modern wireless handset technologies and operation.”