NEWS
Federal Communications Commission
445 12th Street, S.W.
Washington, D. C.  20554
This is an unofficial announcement of Commission action.  Release of the full text of a Commission order constitutes official action.
See MCI v. FCC. 515 F 2d 385 (D.C. Circ 1974).
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: NEWS MEDIA CONTACT:
February 27, 2008 Chelsea Fallon:  (202) 418-7991
FCC ACTS ON REQUESTS FOR WAIVER OF 
HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY RULES
Washington, D.C. – Today, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) released a 
Memorandum Opinion and Order (Order) that addresses waiver requests filed by wireless service 
providers and a handset manufacturer seeking additional time to comply with a 2006 benchmark 
in the FCC’s hearing aid compatibility rules.  The FCC’s hearing aid compatibility rules are 
designed to ensure that persons with hearing disabilities have full access to digital wireless 
services.  The FCC granted or denied the individual waiver requests based on the respective 
showings made by each petitioner. 
In first establishing hearing aid compatibility requirements for wireless handsets in 2003, 
the FCC imposed various compliance benchmarks designed to ensure that consumers with 
hearing loss have access to digital wireless handsets that operate effectively with hearing aids.  
Among other requirements, the FCC mandated that, by September 18, 2006, wireless service 
providers and handset manufacturers must offer at least two wireless handset models for each 
wireless network technology (e.g., CDMA, GSM) that meet at least a T3 rating under the ANSI 
(American National Standards Institute) hearing aid compatibility standard for inductive 
coupling.  This requirement ensures that the handsets can work effectively with hearing aids that 
operate in telecoil mode.  
Today’s Order addresses 46 petitions filed by 98 facilities-based wireless carriers, one 
handset manufacturer, and one mobile virtual network operator (MVNO).  In general, the 
petitions seek some limited additional time to comply with the requirement that at least two T3-
rated handsets be offered.  The FCC granted a petitioner’s waiver request to the extent it came 
into compliance no later than January 1, 2007, and demonstrated a reasonable basis for the 
limited extension of time.  
Those wireless carriers to which the FCC did not grant full waivers, and which appear to 
be currently in violation of the FCC’s hearing aid compatibility rules or to have been in violation 
in the past, have been referred to the Enforcement Bureau for further review.  The full text of 
today’s Order is available on the FCC web site at www.fcc.gov and through the FCC Daily 
Digest.
Action by the Commission on February 26, 2008, by Memorandum Opinion and Order (FCC 08-
67).  Chairman Martin and Commissioners Copps, Adelstein, Tate, and McDowell.  
For additional information, contact Joseph Levin at (202) 418-0640 or Joseph.Levin@fcc.gov. 
2
WT Docket No. 01-309.
– FCC –
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