Federal Communications Commission FCC 08-68
STATEMENT OF
COMMISSIONER DEBORAH TAYLOR TATE
Re:  Amendment of the Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile 
Handsets; Petition of American National Standards Institute Accredited Standards 
Committee C63 (EMC) ANSI ASC C63®, WT Docket No. 07-250.
Today’s item provides another example of the importance of input from 
consumers, especially those who may be most dependent on new technologies for 
education, work, or help in an emergency.  Government’s best work is done through 
cooperation and collaboration, whether public-private partnerships or, as in this case, 
through recommendations of the Joint Consensus Plan.  Accordingly, I am pleased to 
vote for today’s item, which provides important clarifications and modifications to the 
Commission’s hearing aid compatibility (HAC) rules.  The recommendations of the Joint 
Consensus Plan, upon which these rules are based, are the result of a cooperative effort 
by representatives of wireless service providers and device manufacturers, as well as 
those representing consumers with hearing loss, especially the Hearing Loss Association 
of America and Gallaudet University.  These parties have the best knowledge, both of the 
needs of the hearing impaired and of the technologies that can help meet those needs.  
Following their recommendations is a victory for good policymaking.
As the Commission continues to consider the needs of consumers with hearing 
loss, I encourage the continued involvement of all parties involved in crafting the Joint 
Consensus Plan.  Going forward, for example, the Commission must consider appropriate 
rules for multi-band devices when HAC standards have not been developed for all bands 
in which such devices operate.  I value the input of those involved in this process and 
anticipate that future rules, like those adopted today, will effectively serve consumers 
with hearing loss.