FCC Clarifies Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules & Asks For Comment on New Rules

On August 5, 2010, the Federal Communications Commission issued an Order clarifying its hearing aid compatibility (HAC) rules and seeking comments on some new regulations.  In the clarification the FCC says their HAC rules:

• cover customer equipment with built-in speakers and that is typically held to the ear;
• modified the de minimis exemption to that large companies are required to offer at least one hearing aid-compatible model after 2 years;
• handsets sold through all distribution channels, not jsut through services providers, must be HAC compliant.

The new rules also cover some disclosure requirements and a streamlined process for changing of technical standards.

In the NPRM, the FCC seeks comment on:

• whether HAC rules should be extended to any wireless voice equipment on any network;
• whether they should also require that consumers can try out cell phones for HAC-compliance in retail stores not owned or operated by service providers;
• whether users can reduce power on older (GSM) cell phones to meet the HAC standards;

Comments are likely due by the end of September but COAT will clarify this after we see the Federal Register notice. Attached below is the FCC Public Notice and the the Order and NPRM  as released August 5, 2010. Or visit the FCC Disability Rights office Headlines website.