FCC Mandates Hearing Aid Compatibility and Improved Volume Control for All Smartphones

In today's world, it's surprising that some devices still lack hearing aid compatibility. Fortunately, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) aims to change that.

In a recent press release, the FCC introduced a new regulation requiring all smartphones to be hearing aid compatible. This move expands smartphone choices for individuals with hearing impairments, removing the need to settle for a limited selection of devices.

The regulation also calls on manufacturers to move away from proprietary Bluetooth coupling standards, which can interfere with hearing aids.

Beyond compatibility, the FCC now mandates that all new devices sold in the U.S. meet specific volume control standards. This ensures users can set their devices to full volume without distortion.

Additionally, smartphone manufacturers must update their websites and labeling to clearly indicate hearing aid compatibility and the maximum audio volume the devices can achieve.

Source: AndroidAuthority