The FCC has approved regulations that mandate phone manufacturers to ensure their products work with hearing aids. Making phones compatible with hearing aids could help the aging American population.
All phones in the US to be compatible with hearing aids
The Apple AirPods Pro 2 has a hearing aid feature. With this feature activated, these premium True Wireless Stereo earbuds can transform into over-the-counter hearing aids. Needless to say, this approval must have shaken up the hearing aid market.
The US FCC has now reportedly approved new regulations that require all phone makers to make their handsets compatible with hearing aids. While announcing the new rules for phone manufacturers, the FCC stated, “Under the new rules, after a transition period, Americans with hearing loss will no longer be limited in their choice of technologies, features, and prices available in the mobile handset marketplace.”
The FCC has appreciated cell carriers, phone makers, and researchers for coming up with the final draft of the new rules. The agency categorically noted, “Establishing a 100% hearing aid compatibility requirement for all mobile handsets was made possible by the collaborative efforts of members of the Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force — an independent organization of wireless service providers, handset manufacturers, research institutions, and advocates for those with hearing loss.”
Appreciating the industries involved seems necessary because these tech and hardware companies would have to collaborate closely for this to work. Ensuring every cellphone can work reliably with any hearing aid would need wireless communication protocols to be perfectly cross-compatible.
Hearing aids work quite differently compared to regular headphones. Although the basic premise is the same, hearing aids have to correctly amplify different aspects or frequencies of incoming sound. This needs careful calibration of multiple hardware and software components. It’s no wonder that only a few companies such as Apple and Samsung were able to lead this nascent but growing market.
Phone makers must ensure distortion-free sound at high volume
Incidentally, the onus of ensuring phones work with hearing aids doesn’t rest solely on the device manufacturers. Even hearing aid makers will have to make some fundamental changes.
Specifically speaking, the FCC has practically banned proprietary Bluetooth coupling standards in assistive devices. This rule extends to OTC hearing aids such as Apple’s AirPods Pro 2, and other products that would launch in the future.
The FCC is also forcing phone manufacturers to embed better-quality audio enhancement chips in their products. Moving forward, all new mobile handsets sold in the US will have to allow users to raise the volume without introducing distortion. In other words, handset makers will have to ensure their devices deliver clear and crisp sound, even at high volumes.
Cellphones sold in the US would have to carry labels that clearly state hearing aid compatibility. The packaging must also mention whether the handsets meet Bluetooth or telecoil coupling requirements.