Regulating hearing aid compatibility of cell phones: results from a national survey

ABSTRACT

Accessibility of telecommunication technologies by people who are deaf or hard of hearing has been a critical issue since the invention of the telephone. As both telephone and hearing-aid technologies have evolved, finding compatible solutions has been an ongoing challenge. This paper uses the findings of a longitudinal study to examine the impact of Federal hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) regulations in resolving this problem. The study ran concurrently with the phase-in of Federal Communications Commission regulations requiring that mobile handset manufacturers and wireless service providers make available minimum numbers of cell phones with shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference when cell phones are positioned close to a hearing aid user’s ear. These regulations also require package labeling and printed information to assist buyers in selecting a hearing-aid compatible phone. The survey presented here focused on changes in satisfaction with sound quality and ease of finding a hearing-aid compatible mobile handset. Data analysis suggests that the regulations have had limited success, and problems persist for consumers in locating a hearing aid compatible phone. The FCC has requested input on more stringent hearing-aid compatibility requirements; study findings suggest that these changes are not likely to remedy the problem.

KEYWORDS:

• assistive technology/AT
• cell phone
• hearing aid
• policy
• regulation

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Acknowledgment

This research was conducted under the auspices of the Rehabilitation Engineering Research Center for Wireless Technologies (Wireless RERC), which is funded by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research (NIDILRR) of U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, grant number 90RE5007-01-00. The opinions contained in this website are those of the Wireless RERC and do not necessarily reflect those of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services or NIDILRR.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by the National Institute on Disability, Independent Living, and Rehabilitation Research [90RE5007-01-00]