Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets

Note: This page provides information about the hearing aid compatibility requirements for wireless phones. For information about hearing aid compatibility for wireline telephones, visit Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireline Telephones. For information about hearing aid compatibility for wireline ACS telephonic CPE (such as VoIP phones), visit Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireline ACS Telephonic CPE.

Mobile wireless service providers and device manufacturers are required to offer a specific number of handsets that are compatible with or do not cause interference with hearing aids and cochlear implants.

How does the FCC determine whether a wireless handset is hearing aid-compatible?  The FCC uses a technical standard to determine whether a handset is hearing aid-compatible. The new technical standard is known as the 2019 ANSI standard, and devices that meet it will be simply labelled as “hearing aid-compatible.” Although companies may sell devices that meet the 2019 ANSI standard now, and the FCC will require new devices to meet the ANSI 2019 standard starting in December 2023, consumers will still be able to purchase devices certified under older technical standards beyond that point. These standards use an M/T rating system. The “M” rating is for reducing interference with hearing aids operating in acoustic mode—from M1 to M4, with M4 being the best. The “T” rating is for their ability to operate with hearing aids that contain a telecoil (a tightly wrapped piece of wire that converts sounds into electromagnetic signals) and operate in inductive coupling mode—from T1 to T4, with T4 being the best. The FCC considers a handset to be hearing aid-compatible if it is rated at least an M3 (for acoustic coupling) and at least a T3 (for inductive coupling).

How should I choose a handset?  To choose which handsets work best for them, consumers have the right to test handsets inside the store and should understand the store’s return policy and restocking fees. In addition, consumers may determine whether a handset has been certified using the 2019 ANSI standard and, if not, its M and T ratings by reviewing the following FCC databases. Handset manufacturers file Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Reports annually using FCC Form 655. These reports contain information about the hearing aid-compatible handsets that they offer. Service providers file annual compliance certifications using FCC Form 855 and provide on their websites additional information about the hearing aid compatibility capabilities of the handsets they offer. For more information on viewing and filing reports and certifications, visit Filing Hearing Aid Compatibility Reports and Certifications.

Do mobile handsets that are hearing aid-compatible have to meet a volume control requirement?  The 2019 ANSI standard introduces a volume control requirement that ensures hearing-aid compatible handsets produce sound levels for persons with hearing loss (including persons with and without hearing aids). Mobile handsets that meet the 2019 ANSI standard, including this volume control requirement, will be labeled as such on their package label.

Consumer Guide / Fact Sheet

• Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireline and Wireless Telephones

Small Entity Compliance Guides

• Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets (2021)
• Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets (2019)
• Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets (2013)
• Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets (2011)

Rules

CFR Rule: 47 CFR § 20.19

HAC Task Force Report

https://www.atis.org/wp-content/uploads/2022/12/ATIS-HAC-Task-Force-Report-and-Recommendation.pdf  

Orders and Notices

11-14-24
FCC Announces Effective Dates of 100% Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirement (FCC 24-112)
Report and Order: Word||PDF

10-18-24
FCC Adopts 100% Wireless Handset Model Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules (FCC 24-112)
Report and Order: Word||PDF

10-1-24
FCC to Consider 100% Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirement for Wireless Handset Models and 988 Suicide and Crisis Lifeline Georouting Requirement (DOC 405820)
News Release: Word||PDF

12-14-23
FCC Proposes 100% of Mobile Phones Be Hearing Aid Compatible (FCC 23-108)
NPRM: Word||PDF

9-29-23
FCC Grants Waiver of Certain HAC Volume Control Requirements for Two Years (DA 23-914)
Order: Word|| PDF

4-14-23
FCC Releases Order Extending the Transition Period for the Hearing Aid Compatibility Technical Standard (DA 23-327)
Order: Word|| PDF

3-23-23
FCC Seeks Comment on Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Task Force Report (DA 23-251) and Waiver Request (DA 23-250)
Task Force Report Public Notice: Word || PDF
ATIS Petition Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-28-21
Hearing Aid Compatibility Deployment Benchmarks for Wireless Handsets Increasing (DA 21-1215)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

5-18-21
FCC Extends Comment Periods for CVAA Accessibility Updates (DA 21-589)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

4-7-21
FCC Seeks Comment on Fulfillment of the CVAA (DA 21-405)
Public Notice:  Word || PDF

2-22-21
FCC Adopts 2019 ANSI Standard with Volume Control Requirement (WT Docket No. 20-3) (FCC 21-28)
Report and Order: Word || PDF

3-9-20
FCC Seeks Comment on Adopting 2019 ANSI Standard (WT Docket No. 20-3) (FCC 20-6)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF

8-8-19
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Announces Opening Of Filing Window For Hearing Aid Compatibility Certifications And Compliance Date For New Rules (WT Docket No. 17-228) (DA 19-759)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-16-18
Revisions to Reporting Requirements Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets (WT Docket No. 17-228) (DOC-355106; FCC 18-167)
News Release: Word || PDF
Report and Order: Word || PDF

3-06-18
FCC Announces Effective Date of Certain Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules (CG Docket No. 13-46, WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254) (DA 18-216)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

10-26-17
FCC Modernizes and Improves the Ways that Americans with Hearing Loss Can Access Wireline and Wireless Communications Services (CG Docket No. 13-46, WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254) (DOC-347380; FCC-17-135; DOC-347848)
News Release: Word || PDF
Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF

9-27-17
FCC Seeks Comment on a Potential Exemption to the Commission’s Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Reporting Requirements (WT Docket No. 17-228) (DOC-346894; FCC-17-123)
News Release: Word || PDF
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF

7-11-17
FCC Grants Southern Linc’s Request for Limited Waiver of Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 17-665)
Order: Word || PDF

8-5-16
Improvements to Benchmarks and Related Requirements Governing Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets (WT Docket No. 15-285) (DOC-340636; FCC 16-103)
News Release: Word || PDF
Report and Order: Word || PDF

1-11-16
Fourteen-Day Extension of Time to File Comments and Reply Comments on Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Hearing Aid Compatibility Benchmarks (WT Docket No. 15-285) (DA 16-26)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

1-4-16
Announcement of Comment and Reply Comment Deadlines for Notice of Proposed Rulemaking on Hearing Aid Compatibility Standards (CG Docket Nos. 12-32 and 13-46, WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254) (DA 16-5)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-20-15
FCC Updates the Scope of the Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules and Seeks Comment on Additional Measures that Would Ensure Greater Deployment of Hearing Aid Compatibile Handsets (WT Docket Nos. 15-285 and 07-250) (DOC-336415; FCC 15-155; DOC-336705)
News Release: Word || PDF
Fourth Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF

10-30-15
FCC Proposes to Update Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Standards, Make the Wireline HAC Rules Applicable to VoIP, Adopt a Wireless Handset Volume Control Rule, and Streamline HAC Standards Setting While Providing for Consumer Input (CG Docket No. 13-46, WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254) (FCC 15-144; DA 16-1201)
Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF 

1-12-15
FCC Partially Grants a Joint Request for an Extension of Time for Comments and Reply Comments Regarding the Commission’s Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules (WT Docket Nos. 10-254 and 07-250) (DA 15-46)
Order: Word || PDF

12-23-14
Comment Deadlines Established for Request for Updated Information and Comment on Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility Regulations (WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254) (DA 14-1890)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-21-14
Request for Updated Information and Comment on Wireless Hearing Aid Compatibility Regulations (WT Docket Nos. 10-254 and 07-250) (DA 14-1688)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-27-12
Comment Deadline Extended for Public Notice Seeking Updated Information and Comment on Review of Hearing Aid Compatibility Regulations (WT Docket No. 10-254) (DA 12-1898)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

11-1-12
Updated Information and Comment Sought on Review of Hearing Aid Compatibility Regulations (WT Docket No. 10-254) (DA 12-1745)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-14-12
FCC Grants the Petitions for Reconsideration of NDNC, i wireless, and South Slope Wireless; Denied the Petitions of UBET Wireless, CTC, Blanca, Farmers Cellular, SLO Cellular, and EU (WT Docket No. 01-309) (FCC 12-89)
Order on Reconsideration: Word || PDF

5-30-12
FCC Grants Hand Held Products, Inc.’s Request to Withdraw Its Hearing Aid Compatibility Petition (WT Docket No. 01-309) (DA 12-843)
Order: Word || PDF

4-9-12
FCC Amends Parts 2 and 20 of the Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 12-550)
Third Report and Order: Word || PDF

12-28-11
FCC Notifies NEP Cellcorp, Inc., of Its Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the Amount of $25,500 for Failure to Provide the Required Number or Percentage of Hearing Aid Compatible Handsets (File No. EB-11-SE-058) (DA 11-2079)
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture: Word || PDF

11-1-11
FCC Requests Comment on Adopting the Most Current Hearing Aid Compatibility Technical Standard for Mobile Handsets into the Commission’s Rules (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 11-1707)
Second Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF

6-29-11
FCC Grants CTC Telecom d/b/a Mosaic Telecom a Temporary Waiver of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 11-1122)
Order: Word || PDF

12-28-10
Comment Sought on 2010 Review of Hearing Aid Compatibility Regulations (WT Docket No. 10-254) (DA 10-2388)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

12-14-10
Public Information Collection Approved; Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Reminds Wireless Service Providers of Their Obligation to Report on the Status of Compliance with the Commission’s Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements by January 18, 2011 (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 10-2353)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

10-12-10
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Requests that Comments in Hearing Aid Compatibility Proceeding Address Effects of New Legislation (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 10-1936)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

9-8-10
Comment Cycle Established for Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking Regarding Rules Governing Hearing Aid Compatible Mobile Handsets (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 10-1702)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

8-5-10
FCC Takes Steps to Empower Consumers with Hearing Loss by Encouraging Handset Device Innovation (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DOC-300703; FCC 10-145)
News Release: Word || PDF
Policy Statement and Second Report and Order and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF

1-5-09
FCC Notifies NEP Cellcorp, Inc., of Its Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the Amount of $12,000 for Failure to Timely Comply with the Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements for Digital Wireless Handsets (File No. EB-08-SE-1204) (DA 08-2826)
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture: Word || PDF

11-5-08
FCC Notifies American Samoa Telecommunications Authority of Its Apparent Liability for Forfeiture in the Amount of $6000 for Violating the Hearing Aid Compatibility Status Report Filing Requirements, and Admonished ASTCA for Failure to Meet the Handset Deployment Requirements (File No. EB-08-SE-143) (DA 08-2451)
Notice of Apparent Liability for Forfeiture: Word || PDF

6-5-08
Consumer & Governmental Affairs Bureau Reminds Digital Wireless Handset Manufacturers and Public Mobile Service Providers of Obligation to Designate an Agent for Hearing Aid Compatibility Issues (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DA 08-1331)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

4-17-08
FCC Acts on Its Own Motion to Modify the First Report and Order (WT Docket No. 07-250) (FCC 08-117)
Order on Reconsideration and Erratum: Word || PDF

2-28-08
FCC Modifies Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules to Improve Access for Americans with Hearing Loss to Wireless Handsets (WT Docket No. 07-250) (DOC-280525; FCC 08-68)
News Release: Word || PDF
First Report and Order: Word || PDF

11-7-07
FCC Addresses Outstanding Issues Relating to Hearing Aid Compatibility and Seeks Comment on Possible Changes to These Rules (WT Docket Nos. 01-309 and 07-250) (DOC-278009; FCC 07-192; DOC-278397)
News Release: Word || PDF
Second Report and Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF

6-21-05
FCC Affirms, Modifies, and Clarifies the 2003 Hearing Aid Compatibility Order and Seeks Further Comment on Related Issues (WT Docket No. 01-309) (FCC 05-122)
Order on Reconsideration and Further Notice of Proposed Rulemaking: Word || PDF

3-8-04
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Announces Hearing Aid Compatibility Reporting Dates for Wireless Carriers and Handset Manufacturers (WT Docket No. 01-309) (DA 04-630)
Public Notice: Word || PDF 

2-26-04
Wireless Telecommunications Bureau Seeks Comment on Petitions for Reconsideration and/or Clarification of the Hearing Aid Compatible Telephones Report and Order (WT Docket No. 01-309) (DA 04-567)
Public Notice: Word ||  PDF 

8-14-03
FCC Modifies the Exemption for Wireless Phones Under the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 to Require that Digital Wireless Phones Be Capable of Being Effectively Used with Hearing Aids (WT Docket No. 01-309; RM-8658) (FCC 03-168; DA 03-2743)
Report and Order: Word ||  PDF
Erratum: Word

11-14-01
FCC Reexamines the Exemption Pursuant to the Direction of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 of Public Mobile Service Phones from the Hearing Aid Compatibility Requirements of that Act (WT Docket No. 01-309; RM-8658) (FCC 01-320)
Report and Order: Word || PDF