Hearing Aid Compatibility for Cell Phones, Part 2
June 17, 2008 by Steve Maclin
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This is the second of a two-part series that we’ll post on Hearing Aid Compatibility for cell phones/ wireless Telephones. We begin with discussion, including a short video, of “inductive coupling.”
For Inductive Coupling
Each handset manufacturer must offer to service providers at least two T3-rated handset models per digital air interface. In addition, manufacturers must ensure that 20 percent of their handset models per air interface meet at least a T3 rating beginning February 15, 2009, 25 percent beginning February 15, 2010, and one third beginning February 15, 2011. If these percentages work out to a fraction, the manufacturer may round the result down; however, any manufacturer offering four or more handset models over a digital air interface must offer at least two that meet a T3 or higher rating.
Beginning June 6, 2008, each nationwide wireless service provider (Verizon Wireless, AT&T Mobility, Sprint Nextel, and T-Mobile) must meet at least a T3 rating for one third or three of the handset models it offers to consumers, whichever is less, per digital air interface. For service providers that do not meet the one third threshold, the minimum number of compatible models required will increase to five on February 15, 2009, seven on February 15, 2010, and ten on February 15, 2011.
Beginning September 7, 2008, each non-nationwide wireless service provider must meet at least a T3 rating for one third or three of the handset models it offers to consumers, whichever is less, per digital air interface. For service providers that do not meet the one third threshold, the minimum number of compatible models required will increase to five on May 15, 2009, seven on May 15, 2010, and ten on May 15, 2011. Until September 7, 2008, these service providers must offer at least two T3-rated handset models per digital air interface.
These numbers are minimum requirements, and manufacturers and service providers may offer more qualifying handsets if they choose. In addition, manufacturers are required to partially refresh their offerings of hearing aid-compatible phones each year, and service providers must offer a range of hearing aid-compatible phones with differing levels of functionality.
The FCC allows a “de minimis” exception to its requirements for handset manufacturers and wireless service providers offering a small number of hearing aid-compatible handsets. Under this exception:
Wireless service providers and handset manufacturers that offer two or fewer digital wireless handsets in the U.S. for a particular air interface need not offer hearing aid-compatible handsets.
Wireless service providers and handset manufacturers that offer three digital wireless handsets in the U.S. for a particular air interface must offer at least one hearing aid-compatible handset model.
Are There Labeling and Testing Requirements?
Packages containing hearing aid-compatible handsets must be explicitly labeled and must include detailed information in the package or product manual. Wireless service providers must offer a means for consumers to test hearing aid-compatible handsets in their owned or operated retail stores.
Some hearing aid manufacturers are voluntarily including information about hearing aid compatibility with their products. Wireless service providers are also offering similar information in their owned or operated retail stores and are training employees to help persons with hearing aids. This information and the package labeling required by the FCC help persons with hearing aids make fully-informed decisions about purchasing their hearing aid-compatible wireless phones.
Beginning on January 15, 2009, manufacturers and service providers will be required to post information about their hearing aid-compatible handset offerings on their Web sites.
Filing a Complaint with the FCC
If you have a problem using a hearing aid with a digital wireless phone that is supposed to be hearing aid-compatible, first try to resolve it with the equipment manufacturer or your wireless service provider. If you can’t resolve the issue directly, you can file a complaint with the FCC. There is no charge for filing a complaint. You can file your complaint electronically using the on-line complaint Form 2000C found at www.fcc.gov/cgb/complaints.html. 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 2000C. If you do not use the on-line complaint Form 2000C, your complaint, at a minimum, should indicate:
your name, address, e-mail address, and phone number where you can be reached;
preferred format or method of response (letter, fax, voice phone call, e-mail, TRS, TTY, ASCII text, audio recording, or Braille);
that your complaint is about hearing aid compatibility for a digital wireless telephone;
the make and model number of the equipment or device you are complaining about;
the name, address, telephone number (if known) of the company or companies involved in your complaint; and
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.
Tagged: Cell Phone, digital, hearing aid
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