The FCC’s Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (Bureau) is seeking comment on the Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force’s (Task Force) December 2022 Final Report and Recommendation (Report). The Report included recommendations for achieving 100 percent hearing aid compatibility for wireless handsets. The Bureau seeks comment on the Report’s five main recommendations, including urging the Commission to: (1) adopt a more flexible definition of hearing aid compatibility; (2) adjust certain technical standards in hearing aid compatibility rules; (3) allow for exploration of changes in coupling technology; (4) allow service providers to rely on information linked in the Commission’s Accessibility Clearinghouse to determine whether a handset is hearing aid compatible; and (5) implement a 90-day clock for the resolution of petitions for waiver of hearing aid compatibility requirements. Comments are due on May 4, 2023, and reply comments are due on May 25, 2023.
