Moving to
implement recommendations from both the wireless industry and advocates for the
hearing impaired, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has expanded the
scope of its hearing aid compatibility (HAC) regulations.
The Commission’s
revised HAC regulations include the following changes:
- Wireless
handset manufacturers will now be required to meet technical standards for RF
interference reduction in one-third of the handset models that they offer;
-
Wireless
service providers must meet the RF reduction standard by offering at least 8
compliant handset models in 2008 (increasing to 10 by 2010), or on at least 50%
of the handset models they offer to consumers;
- Handset manufacturers
and service providers must offer at least two handset models with inductive
coupling capacity, and increase by 2011 the number of models that meet
inductive coupling capacity standards;
-
Handset
manufacturers will be required to “refresh” their HAC handset model lineup, so
that consumers with hearing loss will have access to handsets with new features
and differing levels of functionality.
Our readers can view the
complete text of the Commission’s First Report and Order at this link.
