Media Contact: 
Cecilia Sulhoff, 202-418-0587
Cecilia.sulhoff@fcc.gov
For Immediate Release
FCC CHARTS COURSE TO COMPREHENSIVE HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY 
FOR CONSUMERS WITH HEARING LOSS
Commission Adopts a Landmark Agreement Between Consumer Advocates and Industry 
Associations as the Pathway to Compatibility for 100 Percent of Wireless Devices
  --
WASHINGTON, August 4, 2016 – Today, the FCC took several steps to implement new rules to 
ensure that people with hearing loss have full access to innovative wireless devices.  The action 
taken today has several parts, all of which will modernize existing hearing aid compatibility rules 
while maintaining the balance between fostering accessibility and promoting innovation and 
investment.  
With this Report and Order, the Commission amends the hearing aid compatibility requirements 
that are generally applicable to wireless service providers and manufacturers of digital wireless 
handsets.  Specifically, the Commission increases the number of hearing aid compatible handsets 
that service providers and manufacturers are required to offer by setting two new percentage 
benchmarks: 
? 66 percent of offered handset models must be compliant following a two-year transition 
period for manufacturers, with additional compliance time for service providers, and 
? 85 percent of offered handset models must be compliant following a five-year transition 
period for manufacturers, with additional compliance time for service providers.  
The new rules establish a more limited obligation for entities offering only four or five handsets.  
The Commission reconfirms its commitment to pursuing 100 percent compatibility within eight 
years, and we encourage stakeholders to keep us informed about evolutions in technology and 
market conditions that impact hearing aid compatibility.
Digital wireless handset manufacturers, consumer groups and wireless service providers have 
devoted time, effort and expertise to this groundbreaking collaborative effort.  The revisions 
adopted today are a reflection of that collaboration and will ensure greater access to wireless 
communications services for Americans with hearing loss.
Action by the Commission August 4, 2016 by Report and Order (FCC 16-103). Chairman 
Wheeler, Commissioners Clyburn, Rosenworcel, Pai and O’Rielly approving and issuing separate 
statements.
WT Docket No. 15-285
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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).