The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has amended its rules regarding the standard to be used to assess hearing aid-compatible (HAC) telephone handsets.
In a Report and Order issued at the end of February, the Commission adopted the 2019 edition of ANSI C63.19, American National Standard Methods of Measurement Compatibility Between Wireless Communications Devices and Hearing Aids, as the standard to be used in assessing HAC-compatible handsets. The revised version of the standard incorporates volume control specifications consistent with HAC certification requirements that were scheduled to take effect on March 1st.
In addition to volume control specifications, ANSI C63.19-2019 also harmonizes its testing methodologies with current available international standards and applies to a wider range of frequencies.
In its Report and Order, the FCC provides for a two-year transition period for manufacturers to adopt the requirements in the updated standard. It also extended the volume control deadline to match this transition period.
