Wireless Bureau Extends Hearing-Aid Compatibility Waiver for 2 Years
The FCC Wireless Bureau on Tuesday extended for two years a temporary waiver that allows use of the interim volume control testing method for hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) compliance. The waiver will now expire Sept. 29, 2027. The extension was requested by CTIA and had the support of industry commenters (see 2507210008). Groups representing consumers said any additional waiver must be limited and come with “safeguards and guardrails.” The bureau is requiring CTIA, in coordination with the Telecommunications Industry Association, to file two reports updating the FCC on their progress toward a permanent solution.
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“Just as with the initial waiver grant, no parties oppose CTIA’s extension request,” the bureau said. Extending the waiver “will allow handset manufacturers to continue to be able to certify new handset models as hearing aid-compatible and will allow consumers with hearing loss who purchase new hearing aid-compatible handset models to have a measurable level of volume control functionality.”