WASHINGTON-A new report delivered by an industry standards group to the Federal Communications Commission says mobile-phone vendors likely will meet initial hearing-aid compatibility requirements later this year.
After years of debate and controversy, the FCC in 2003 voted to require 25 percent of digital handsets offered by national mobile-phone carriers to be hearing-aid compatible by September 2005 and 50 percent by February 2008.
The report is based on work by the Alliance for Telecommunications Solutions, wireless carriers and suppliers, disability advocates and hearing aid manufacturers in the ATIS’ Hearing-Aid Compatibility Incubator.
“The incubator has performed extensive work and believes that wireless manufacturers generally will meet the regulatory requirements defined by the FCC’s [report and order] for two HAC-compliant products per air interface (GSM, CDMA, iDEN, TDMA) pursuant to the CR63.19 standard by the September 2005 deadline,” an ATIS press release stated.
However, ATIS reiterated for federal regulators continued technological challenges in meeting the federal mandate.
“The wireless industry has recently documented several challenges to achieving FCC-required HAC compatibility measurements for GSM handset devices operating in the 850 MHz frequency band. This reported challenge appears to be industry-wide,” said ATIS.
The group added: “Due to numerous variables in hearing-aid devices, individuals with hearing loss, and wireless devices, many carriers allow a ‘try before you buy’ period that allows a consumer to use a wireless device for a trial period before making a final purchase.”
