Commission Adopts 100 Percent Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirement
On October 17, 2024, the Federal Communications Commission adopted a Report and Order in WT Docket No. 23-388 (FCC 24-112) establishing a 100 percent hearing aid compatibility benchmark for all future wireless handset models offered for sale or use in the United States. Released on October 18, 2024, the order fulfills statutory directives under Section 710 of the Communications Act to ensure equal access to telecommunications services for an estimated 48 million Americans with hearing loss.
Under the revised framework in 47 CFR Part 20, non-hearing aid compatible handset models will no longer be eligible for equipment certification under Part 2, Subpart J, after relevant transition deadlines expire. Handset manufacturers and service providers must remove all non-compliant handset models from their active portfolios once their respective transition periods conclude. To reflect the comprehensive reach of the revised rules across hearing aids, cochlear implants, and volume control features, the Commission also renamed Section 20.19 from 'Hearing aid-compatible mobile handsets' to 'Hearing loss compatible wireless handsets' (HLC).
- Docket: WT Docket No. 23-388
- FCC Order Number: FCC 24-112
- Adopted: October 17, 2024; Released: October 18, 2024
- Impact: Affects manufacturers, nationwide service providers, and non-nationwide service providers.
Expanded Definition and Multi-Mode Coupling Benchmarks
Drawing from recommendations submitted by the independent Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force (HAC Task Force), the FCC adopted an expanded, forward-looking definition of hearing aid compatibility. Under the new standard, a compliant handset must: (1) provide an internal means for compatibility without cumbersome add-on adapters; (2) meet established technical coupling or compatibility standards; and (3) be usable by consumers with hearing loss with full access to documentation and functionality.
To satisfy the 100 percent mandate, every handset model in an entity's portfolio must support at least two forms of coupling. Specifically, 100 percent of offered models must meet acoustic coupling standards under ANSI C63.19-2019. In addition, at least 85 percent of models in a portfolio must meet telecoil (inductive) coupling requirements, while the remaining 15 percent must incorporate Bluetooth coupling technology. Handset models in the 15 percent Bluetooth tier may optionally incorporate telecoils but are not required to do so.
- 100 percent of models in a portfolio must meet acoustic coupling standards.
- At least 85 percent of models must support telecoil coupling (rounded down).
- At least 15 percent of models must support Bluetooth coupling (rounded up).
- All handsets must offer at least two simultaneous pairing methods (acoustic plus telecoil, or acoustic plus Bluetooth).
Transition Timelines and Bluetooth Technology Requirements
The Commission established phased transition timetables following Federal Register publication: handset manufacturers are granted a 24-month transition period (effective at month 25); nationwide service providers receive a 30-month period (effective at month 31); and non-nationwide service providers receive a 42-month period (effective at month 43). These transition periods also govern the sunsetting of the existing de minimis exceptions in Section 20.19(e), after which all covered entities regardless of portfolio size must comply.
Regarding Bluetooth coupling, the Commission adopted a 48-month transition window (effective at month 49). During this window, manufacturers and carriers may satisfy the 15 percent requirement using proprietary standards such as Apple MFi or Google ASHA, or non-proprietary standards. Once the 48-month period expires, the 15 percent Bluetooth allocation must be met exclusively using standalone, non-proprietary, qualified Bluetooth standards offering broad interoperability, such as Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (Bluetooth LE Audio) and Bluetooth Hearing Access Profile (Bluetooth HAP).
- Handset Manufacturer Transition: 24 months from effective date (month 25).
- Nationwide Service Provider Transition: 30 months from effective date (month 31).
- Non-Nationwide Service Provider Transition: 42 months from effective date (month 43).
- Non-Proprietary Bluetooth Transition: 48 months from effective date (month 49).
Volume Control, Device Settings, and Grandfathering
New handset models added to portfolios following the applicable transition deadlines must comply with the volume control requirements established in ANSI C63.19-2019, which incorporates ANSI/TIA-5050-2018, or the interim volume control waiver standard adopted in DA 23-914 for as long as it remains active. Handsets certified under previous standards such as ANSI C63.19-2011 may continue to be offered and counted toward deployment benchmarks under grandfathering provisions, allowing older and lower-cost devices to cycle out naturally.
Manufacturers must configure new handsets so that acoustic coupling and volume control features are active out-of-the-box by default. Secondary settings may be provided for telecoil or Bluetooth activation. Software updates that degrade conversational gain or strip hearing aid compatibility certification are prohibited, subject to a narrow de minimis impact exception administered by the Wireless Telecommunications Bureau and Office of Engineering and Technology.
- Default Configuration: Acoustic coupling and volume control must be enabled out-of-the-box.
- Grandfathering: Existing models certified under ANSI C63.19-2011 or earlier remain valid for portfolio deployment counts if offered prior to the deadline.
- Software Restrictions: Software updates cannot remove HAC compliance or perceptibly lower conversational gain.
Labeling, Reporting, and Consumer Point-of-Contact Rules
The Commission updated packaging and disclosure rules. External packaging must retain a physical printed label specifying hearing aid compatibility status, telecoil/Bluetooth support (including specific Bluetooth standards used), and conversational gain ratings with and without hearing aids under ANSI C63.19-2019. For internal packaging disclosures and manuals, manufacturers and carriers may use digital labeling technology—specifically Quick-Response (QR) codes accompanied by plain-text website URLs—provided full information is maintained on an easily accessible public website.
Administrative filing burdens were streamlined by retiring FCC Form 655 for handset manufacturers after their transition period ends. Manufacturers will join service providers in filing annual compliance certifications on FCC Form 855 by January 31 each year, covering the previous calendar year. Covered entities must also publish dedicated hearing accessibility point-of-contact information on their websites, including a toll-free telephone number, mailing address, email address, and a dedicated text number for consumer inquiries.
- Physical Package Labels: Mandatory printed external box labels detailing HAC, coupling modes, and conversational gain.
- Digital Labeling: QR codes and URLs permitted inside packaging in lieu of paper inserts/manuals.
- Reporting Overhaul: Manufacturers transition from Form 655 to Form 855 annual certifications due January 31.
- Consumer Support: Websites must list division contacts, email, mailing address, toll-free phone, and a text number.