FCC Mandates Hearing Aid Compatibility for All Smartphones

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has announced new regulations requiring that all mobile handsets, including smartphones sold in the United States, must be compatible with hearing aids. The FCC has also introduced updated rules concerning volume control and enhanced product labeling, enabling individuals with hearing aids to make better-informed purchasing decisions.

As part of these measures, the FCC has introduced a requirement for Bluetooth pairing, aiming to dissuade smartphone manufacturers from using proprietary versions that might restrict compatibility. According to a press release, this step is intended to ensure universal connectivity among mobile phones, hearing aids, and over-the-counter hearing aids. A report from the Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force indicated that while most smartphones currently support hearing aids, these changes will help to address the remaining compatibility issues.

In addition to connectivity requirements, smartphone manufacturers will need to meet new volume control standards. These standards are designed to allow users to increase the volume without experiencing distortion, ensuring clearer audio for everyone, not just those with significant hearing loss. Furthermore, companies will need to update product labeling to include details about hearing aid compatibility, telecoil or Bluetooth coupling requirements, and conversation gain—specifically, the maximum volume a phone can reach while still meeting the volume control criteria.

The implementation of these new regulations will occur over several months. The transition period will be 24 months for handset manufacturers, 30 months for nationwide service providers, and 42 months for non-nationwide providers. These changes align with broader public health initiatives aimed at enhancing access to hearing aids. In line with this, two years ago, the Food and Drug Administration introduced over-the-counter hearing aids as a more affordable option for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.

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