Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC)

for Wireline ACS Telephonic CPE

Note: This page provides information about the hearing aid compatibility requirements for ACS telephonic CPE. For information about hearing aid compatibility for wireless phones, visit Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireless Phones. For information about hearing aid compatibility for wireline telephones, visit Hearing Aid Compatibility for Wireline Telephones.

Contact Information

• Customer Care Representatives for Manufacturers and Service Providers – Search on the name of a manufacturer or service provider, and obtain the contact information for the customer care representatives who will address accessibility questions, concerns or complaints.  They may also answer or direct your HAC-specific questions to the appropriate person in their companies.

Rules

Selected sections of eCFR Part 68.  For example,

• CFR Rule 47 CFR § 68.3 - Definitions
• CFR Rule 47 CFR § 68.4 - Hearing aid compatible telephones
• CFR Rule 47 CFR § 68.6 - Telephones with volume control
• CFR Rule 47 CFR § 68.501 - Authorization procedures (for ACS telephonic CPE)
• CFR Rule 47 CFR § 68.502 - Labeling, warranty, instructions, and notice of revocation approval (for ACS telephonic CPE)
• CFR Rule 47 CFR § 68.503 - Complaint procedures (for ACS telephonic CPE)
• CFR Rule 47 CFR § 68.504 - Administrative Council on Terminal Attachments (for ACS telephonic CPE)

HAC Task Force Report

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

Orders and Notices

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

05-18-21
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

12-10-19
Request for Waiver of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Volume Control Reset Rules; Clarity Products, LLC (CG Docket No. 18-307) (DA 19-1252)
Order: Word || PDF

11-27-18
FCC Grants ClearCaptions, LLC Request for Waiver of Volume Control Reset Rules for ClearCaptions Blue Telephone Devices, with Conditions (CG Docket No. 18-307) (DA 18-1197)
Order: Word || PDF

11-27-18
Notice of New Docket and Filing Procedures for Requesting Waiver of Wireline Telephone Volume Control Reset Rules (CG Docket No. 18-307) (DA 18-1196)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

05-21-18
Notice of Effective Date of Hearing Aid Compatibility Rules (CG Docket No. 13-46, WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254) (DA 18-532)
Public Notice: Word || PDF 

03-06-18
Notice of Effective Date of 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) (FCC-17-135; DOC-347848)
Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration: Word || PDF
Erratum: Word || PDF

10-03-17
FCC Announces Tentative Agenda for October Open Meeting (Including Hearing Aid Compatibility and Volume Control) (CG Docket No. 13-46, WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254) (DOC-347041)
News Release: 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

10-30-15
FCC Proposes to Update Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) Standards, Make the Wireline HAC Rule 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 

7-19-13
FCC Requests Comment on Petition for Rulemaking Filed by the Telecommunications Industry Association Regarding Hearing Aid Compatibility Volume Control Requirements (CG Docket No. 13-46) (DA 13-1601)
Public Notice: Word || PDF

Video