Federal Communications Commission FCC 08-68
STATEMENT OF 
COMMISSIONER ROBERT M. McDOWELL
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.
I would like to thank my fellow commissioners for taking the time to work with 
me to ensure that this order correctly captures the requests of the Hearing Aid 
Compatibility Joint Consensus Working Group.  I commend this group, comprised of 
organizations representing the interests of consumers with hearing loss, wireless carriers 
and handset manufacturers, for its hard work on these important issues.  In adopting the 
Joint Consensus Plan, the Commission is not only advancing the goals established by 
Congress in the Hearing Aid Compatibility Act, we are also recognizing the working 
group’s expertise and rewarding its dedication.  Common sense has prevailed.     
History has taught us time and time again that government is no match for the 
private sector.  Collaborative partnerships are far better equipped to quickly resolve 
technical challenges and satisfy consumer demand than government mandates.  This is 
especially true at a time when wireless technologies are evolving so rapidly.  For 
instance, I question the wisdom in seeking to impose additional regulations on voice-
based capabilities given the surge toward broadband, data-based applications, which may 
ultimately be of greater value to Americans with hearing loss.  
Given the ongoing nature of this proceeding, I am hopeful that the working group 
will continue its efforts, and will expand to include new entrants to the manufacturing 
and carrier industries.  We must all work together to ensure that consumers with hearing 
loss can improve their lives and transform their futures through use of the innovative 
products and services developed and offered by the wireless marketplace.