Media Contact: 
Cecilia Sulhoff, 202-418-0587
cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC ENSURES HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY FOR ALL 
WIRELESS VOICE TECHNOLOGIES
Commission Also Proposes to Adopt a Landmark Agreement Between Consumer Advocates 
and Industry Associations as the Pathway to Compatibility for 100% of Wireless Devices
  --
WASHINGTON, November 19, 2015 – Today, the Federal Communications Commission took 
major steps to ensure greater access to wireless communications services and handset devices for 
the tens of millions of Americans with hearing loss. New rules and proposed rules passed today
reflect a consensus-driven approach to foster accessibility for individuals who are deaf and hard 
of hearing while promoting innovation and investment by the wireless industry.  
The action taken today has two parts.  First, the Fourth Report and Order expands the scope of 
the hearing aid compatibility rules to cover the wireless technologies of today and tomorrow.  
Until now, the hearing aid compatibility rules generally were limited only to handsets that used 
traditional cellular networks.  Recognizing that wireless voice communications increasingly 
operate via alternative technologies, the Commission has expanded the rules to cover IP-based 
communications services like Wi-Fi Calling and Voice-over-LTE.  In addition, the new rules will 
require that future technologies comply with current and future hearing aid compatibility rules, 
encouraging manufacturers to consider hearing aid compatibility at the earliest stages of the 
product design process, ensuring that consumers with hearing loss are not always trying to catch 
up to technology and providing industry with additional regulatory certainty.
Second, the Notice of Proposed Rulemaking seeks comment on a landmark consensus plan that
would, for the first time, establish a consensus path to ensure that all wireless handsets are 
accessible to and usable by people who use hearing aid devices and cochlear implants. The 
consensus plan was developed through collaborative discussions between consumer and industry 
representatives.  The current hearing aid compatibility rules require service providers and handset 
manufacturers to ensure that a specified fraction or number of their offerings are hearing aid 
compliant.  The consensus approach would give consumers with hearing loss the same range of 
device choices available to any other consumer while at the same time preserving industry’s 
ability to innovate.      
Action by the Commission November 19, 2015 by Report and Order and Notice of Proposed 
Rulemaking (FCC 15-155). Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and 
O’Rielly approving. Chairman Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and 
O’Rielly issuing statements.
(WT Docket No. 07-250)
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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. Cir. 1974).