The U.S. Federal Communications Commission (FCC) adopted a landmark Report and Order under WT Docket No. 23-388 (FCC 24-112 and document reference DOC-406697A1), establishing a regulatory mandate that 100% of all mobile handsets sold in the United States must be Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC). Arising from collaborative proposals developed by the Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force—an industry group uniting wireless carriers, handset OEMs, research bodies, and consumer advocates—the decision replaces legacy percentage-based compliance tiers. By requiring universal accessibility across all future smartphone models, the Commission aims to ensure that over 48 million Americans with hearing loss have full access to commercial mobile devices without technical limitations or feature restrictions.
The updated HAC regulatory framework introduces specific technical benchmarks to address both acoustic coupling and direct wireless connectivity. Alongside traditional magnetic induction (telecoil) requirements, the rules establish a mandatory universal Bluetooth coupling standard designed to ensure seamless interoperability between mobile phones and assistive listening devices, including over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, while discouraging reliance on proprietary Bluetooth protocols. Furthermore, the Commission implemented revised volume control performance standards. Under these acoustic benchmarks, all new mobile handsets must provide designated conversational gain levels, allowing users to increase receive audio volume without introducing sound distortion, thereby benefiting both hearing aid wearers and individuals with unassisted hearing loss.
To support compliance verification and consumer transparency, the FCC updated point-of-sale labeling, packaging, and digital disclosure requirements. Handset packaging and online product listings must explicitly specify HAC certification details, indicating whether the device meets telecoil or Bluetooth coupling parameters alongside its measured conversational gain levels. For original equipment manufacturers (OEMs), Telecommunications Certification Bodies (TCBs), and wireless service providers, the transition to 100% HAC enforcement involves structured phase-in periods to clear existing inventory and update technical construction files. Ensuring that future mobile handset designs satisfy updated ANSI C63.19 testing standards and acoustic distortion limits remains essential to securing FCC equipment authorization and maintaining commercial distribution rights across the North American market.
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