The FCC has implemented new regulations requiring all mobile phones to be compatible with hearing aids, ensuring accessibility for users with hearing impairments
On Thursday, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) published regulations mandating that all mobile phones, including smartphones, sold in the United States be compatible with hearing aids.
The announcement was made two years after the FDA made hearing aids accessible to all Americans without a prescription.
The FCC has not yet provided a specific timeline for compliance, only stating that the rules will be fully implemented “after a transition period.”
The regulations serve to discourage handset manufacturers from implementing proprietary Bluetooth coupling, which could potentially restrict the compatibility of the device with over-the-counter hearing aids.
Companies will be obligated to indicate on their websites whether a specific mobile is compatible with hearing aids following the new regulations.