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Background
The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC
Act) requires that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC)
ensure that all telephones manufactured or imported for
use in the United States after August 1989, and all “essential”
telephones, are hearing aid-compatible. “Essential” telephones
are defined as “coin-operated telephones, telephones provided
for emergency use, and other telephones frequently needed for
use by persons using such hearing aids.” “Essential” phones
might include workplace phones, phones in confined settings
(like hospitals and nursing homes), and phones in hotel and
motel rooms. Secure phones, approved by the U.S. Government to
transmit classified or sensitive conversations, and phones used
with public mobile and private radio services, are exempt from
the HAC Act.
What Makes a Telephone Hearing Aid
Compatible?
Hearing aids operate in one of two modes –
acoustic coupling or telecoil coupling. Hearing aids operating
in acoustic coupling mode receive and amplify all sounds
surrounding the user; both desired sounds, such as a telephone’s
audio signal, as well as unwanted ambient noise. Hearing aids
operating in telecoil coupling mode avoid unwanted ambient noise
by turning off the microphone and receiving only signals from
magnetic fields generated by telecoil-compatible telephones. In
the United States, about 25 to 30 percent of hearing aids
contain telecoils, which generally are used by individuals with
profound hearing loss.
A telecoil is a small, tightly-wrapped
piece of wire inside the hearing aid that, when activated, picks
up the voice signal from the electromagnetic field that leaks
from compatible telephones. While the microphone on a hearing
aid picks up all sounds, the telecoil will only pick up an
electromagnetic signal from the telephone. Thus, users of
telecoil-equipped hearing aids are able to communicate
effectively over the telephone without feedback and without the
amplification of unwanted background noise. Telecoils can only
fit in two styles of hearing aids: “In-The-Ear” and
“Behind-The-Ear” aids. Smaller hearing aids are not large enough
to fit the telecoil.
Many people report feedback (or squealing)
when they place the handset of the telephone next to their
hearing aid. When placed correctly, telecoils can eliminate this
feedback because the hearing aid microphone is turned off and
the hearing aid only amplifies the signal coming through the
telecoil. Some hearing-aid users may need to place the ear-piece
slightly behind the ear rather than directly over the ear to
obtain the clearest signal.
A telephone that is hearing aid compatible
has an internal feature that allows the use of
telephone-compatible hearing aids. Thus, telephones can be used
effectively by persons with hearing aids.
What Are the FCC’s Requirements for Hearing
Aid Compatibility for Wireline Telephones?
FCC rules require that phones subject to the
HAC Act: (1) produce a magnetic field of sufficient strength and
quality to permit coupling with hearing aids that contain
telecoils; and (2) provide an adequate range of volume. FCC
rules also establish technical parameters to ensure that
telephones are compatible with hearing aids.
FCC rules also require generally that
telephones allow volume to be increased to accommodate
individuals with hearing disabilities whether or not they use
hearing aids. Telephones allowing high volume levels must
automatically reset to a lower volume each time the handset is
returned to an on-hook condition. Telephone equipment
manufacturers may request a waiver permitting high volume
telephones to remain at the high volume setting under certain
conditions. If you need a volume higher than the 18 decibel (dB)
volume limit specified in the FCC’s rules, you must reset the
volume each time you use the telephone, even when you are the
primary user of the telephone.
Are There Labeling Requirements?
Telephone manufacturers are required to
clearly label their telephones and the telephone packaging
containing hearing aid compatible handsets. They must also make
information available in the package or product manual, and
require service providers to make the performance ratings of
hearing aid compatible telephones available.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
If you have a problem using a hearing aid
with a wireline telephone that is supposed to be hearing aid
compatible, first try to resolve the matter with the equipment
manufacturer or your wireline service provider. If you are
unable to resolve the matter directly, you can file a complaint
with the FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint. You can
file your complaint using an FCC on-line complaint form found at
esupport.fcc.gov/complaints.htm. You can also file your
complaint with the FCC’s Consumer Center by e-mailing
fccinfo@fcc.gov; calling
1-888-CALL-FCC (1-888-225-5322) voice or 1-888-TELL-FCC
(1-888-835-5322) TTY; faxing 1-866-418-0232; or writing to:
Federal Communications
Commission
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau
Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, DC 20554.
What to Include in Your Complaint
The best way to provide all the information
the FCC needs to process your complaint is to complete fully the
on-line complaint form. When you open the on-line form, you will
be asked a series of questions that will take you to the
particular section of the form you need to complete. If you do
not use the on-line complaint form, your complaint, at a
minimum, should indicate:
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your name, address, e-mail address, and
phone number where you can be reached;
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whether you are filing a complaint on
behalf of another party, and if so, the party’s name,
address, email address, day time phone number, and your
relationship to the party;
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preferred format or method of response
(letter, fax, voice phone call, email, TRS, TTY, ASCII text,
audio recording, or Braille);
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that your complaint is about hearing
aid compatibility for a wireline telephone;
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the make and model number of the
equipment or device you are complaining about;
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the name, address, and telephone number
(if known) of the company or companies involved in your
complaint; and
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a brief description of your complaint
and the resolution you are seeking, and a full description
of the equipment or service you are complaining about,
including date of purchase, use, or attempt to use.
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For More Information
For information about
hearing aid compatible wireless telephones, see the
FCC’s consumer fact sheet at
www.fcc.gov/cgb/consumerfacts/hac_wireless.html. For
information about FCC programs to promote access to
telecommunications services for people with
disabilities, visit the FCC’s Disability Rights Office
Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb/dro.
Finally, for information about other telecommunications
issues, visit the FCC’s Consumer & Governmental Affairs
Bureau Web site at
www.fcc.gov/cgb, or contact the FCC’s
Consumer Center using the information provided for
filing a complaint. |
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Federal Communications Commission
