The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) has modified its reporting and consumer communications requirements regarding hearing aid-compatible (HAC) wireless handsets.
In a Report and Order issued in mid-November, the Commission adopted the following modifications to its current HAC requirements:
- Service providers must now post on their publicly-available websites information about HAC wireless handsets that is currently submitted annually to the FCC on Form 655;
- Service providers must certify annually that they are in compliance with all FCC rules applicable to HAC handsets; and
- Eliminates the requirements that service providers file FCC Form 655 annually with the FCC, while continuing to require the filing by handset manufacturers.
According to FCC Chairman Ajit Pai, the changes “will enable consumers to obtain the relevant information they need about the availability of hearing aid-compatible devices” while “also allow(ing) the Commission to ensure compliance with minimal burden.”
Read the completed text of the Commission’s Report and Order on HAC requirements.
