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The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act) requires that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ensure that all telephones manufactured or imported for use in the United States after August 1989, and all “essential” telephones, are hearing aid-compatible. “Essential” telephones are defined as “coin-operated telephones, telephones provided for emergency use, and other telephones frequently needed for use by persons using such hearing aids.” “Essential” phones might include workplace phones, phones in confined settings (like hospitals and nursing homes), and phones in hotel and motel rooms. Secure phones, approved by the U.S. Government to transmit classified or sensitive conversations, and phones used with public mobile and private radio services, are exempt from the HAC Act.

In 2003, the FCC set a timetable for the development and sale of digital wireless phones that are compatible with hearing aids and cochlear implants, used by the hearing-impaired to improve hearing ability. This timetable increases the number of digital wireless phones that are hearing aid-compatible. In June 2005, the FCC modified the preliminary handset deployment benchmarks specific to Tier I wireless service providers (nationwide providers such as Sprint-Nextel, Verizon Wireless, Cingular, and T-Mobile). The FCC did not modify the preliminary deployment benchmark obligations for handset manufacturers of Tier II or Tier III (non-nationwide) wireless service providers.

Hearing Aid-Compatibility for All Phones

A telephone that is hearing aid-compatible has an internal feature that allows the use of telephone-compatible hearing aids. FCC rules require that phones subject to the HAC Act: (1) produce a magnetic field of sufficient strength and quality to permit coupling with hearing aids that contain telecoils; and (2) provide an adequate range of volume.

A telecoil is a small, tightly-wrapped piece of wire that, when activated, picks up the voice signal from the electromagnetic field that leaks from compatible telephones. Users of telecoil-equipped hearing aids are able to communicate effectively over the telephone without feedback and without the amplification of unwanted background noise.

A volume control feature permits the user to adjust the level of sound emanating from the handset or headset receiver. It allows telephones to be used effectively by persons with hearing aids, and by other persons with a hearing impairment who do not use hearing aids.

Rules on Hearing Aid-Compatibility for Digital Wireless Phones

Although analog wireless phones do not usually cause interference with hearing aids or cochlear implants, digital wireless phones sometimes do because of electromagnetic energy emitted by the phone’s antenna, backlight, or other components. Therefore, the FCC set specific hearing aid-compatibility rules for digital wireless phones.

Applicable Technical Standards

The performance levels set forth in ANSI C63.19 (a technical standard established by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI)) are the applicable standard for compatibility of digital wireless phones with hearing aids. ANSI C63.19 contains two sets of standards: one for reduced radio frequency (RF) interference to enable acoustic coupling with hearing aids that do not operate in telecoil mode, and a separate standard to enable inductive coupling with hearing aids operating in telecoil mode. A digital wireless handset is considered hearing aid compatible for acoustic coupling if it meets a “U3” or “M3” rating under the ANSI standard. A digital wireless handset is considered hearing aid compatible for inductive coupling if it meets a “U3T” or “T3” rating under the ANSI standard.

Deployment Benchmarks

  • By September 16, 2005, each digital wireless handset manufacturer had to make available to carriers, and each carrier providing digital wireless services had to make available to consumers, at least two U3/M3-rated handsets for each air interface it offers.


  • By September 16, 2006, each Tier I wireless carrier offering digital wireless services had to make available to consumers, per air interface, five U3/M3-rated handsets, or twenty-five percent of the total number of handset models it offers nationwide.


  • By September 18, 2006, each digital wireless handset manufacturer had to make available to carriers, and each carrier providing digital wireless services had to make available to consumers, at least two U3T/T3-rated handsets for each air interface it offers.


  • Fifty percent of all digital wireless handset models offered by manufacturers or carriers must meet a U3/M3 standard by February 18, 2008.


Labeling and In-Store Consumer Testing of Digital Wireless Handsets

  • Packages containing compliant handsets must be explicitly labeled and must include detailed information in the package or product manual.


  • Wireless service providers must provide a means for consumers to test hearing aid-compatible handset models in their owned or operated retail stores.


De Minimis Exception

  • Wireless service providers and handset manufacturers that offer two or fewer digital wireless handsets in the U.S. for a particular air interface need not comply with the hearing aid compatibility compliance obligations.


  • Wireless service providers and handset manufacturers that offer three digital wireless handsets in the US for a particular air interface must make at least one compliant handset model available.


Sources:
FCC
http://www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/hac.html