Hearing Aid Compatibility Standards NPRM

In this Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM), we first propose to amend the Federal Communications Commission’s hearing aid compatibility (HAC) rules for wireline handsets. Specifically, we propose to take the following actions: (1) incorporate into the rules a revised industry standard developed by the Telecommunications Industry Association (TIA) that appears likely to improve the ability of people with hearing loss to select wireline telephones with sufficient volume control to meet their communication needs and provide greater regulatory certainty for the industry; and (2) apply the FCC's wireline telephone volume control and other hearing aid compatibility requirements to handsets used with VoIP services, pursuant to the Twenty-First Century Communications and Video Accessibility Act of 2010 (CVAA).

Second, we propose a rule and request comment on setting a standard for volume control for wireless handsets to ensure more effective acoustic coupling between handsets and hearing aids or cochlear implants.

Third, we propose to: require manufacturers to use exclusively the 2011 standard developed by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) to certify future handsets as hearing aid compatible; and eliminate the power-down exception if manufacturers are required to test and rate handsets exclusively under the 2011 ANSI Wireless HAC Standard.

Finally, to implement section 710 of the Communications Act of 1934, as amended by section 102(b) of the CVAA, and to simplify the process for all equipment, wireline and wireless, to achieve hearing aid compatibility compliance, we seek comment on a process for enabling industry to use new or revised technical standards for assessing hearing aid compatibility compliance, prior to FCC approval of such standards. We propose that such standards are developed by an ANSIaccredited organization in accordance with a public participation process and in consultation with consumer stakeholders designated by the Commission, as required by the CVAA.