Regulating hearing aid compatibility of cell phones: results from a national survey.
Accessibility of telecommunication technologies by people who are deaf or hard of hearing has been a critical issue since the invention of the telephone. As both telephone and hearing-aid technologies have evolved, finding compatible solutions has been an ongoing challenge. This paper uses the findings of a longitudinal study to examine the impact of Federal hearing-aid compatibility (HAC) regulations in resolving this problem. The study ran concurrently with the phase-in of Federal Communications Commission regulations requiring that mobile handset manufacturers and wireless service providers make available minimum numbers of cell phones with shielding to reduce electromagnetic interference when cell phones are positioned close to a hearing aid user's ear. These regulations also require package labeling and printed information to assist buyers in selecting a hearing-aid compatible phone. The survey presented here focused on changes in satisfaction with sound quality and ease of finding a hearing-aid compatible mobile handset. Data analysis suggests that the regulations have had limited success, and problems persist for consumers in locating a hearing aid compatible phone. The FCC has requested input on more stringent hearing-aid compatibility requirements; study findings suggest that these changes are not likely to remedy the problem.
['Jones|Michael L|ML|', 'Morris|John T|JT|', 'Mueller|James L|JL|', 'Lippincott|Ben|B|', 'Sweatman|W Mark|WM|']
D000293:Adolescent D000328:Adult D000368:Aged D000369:Aged, 80 and over D040421:Cell Phone D003143:Communication Aids for Disabled D055590:Electromagnetic Phenomena D005260:Female D006297:Health Services Accessibility D006310:Hearing Aids D034381:Hearing Loss D006801:Humans D008137:Longitudinal Studies D008297:Male D008875:Middle Aged D017060:Patient Satisfaction D011356:Product Labeling D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires D014481:United States D055815:Young Adult
regulation hearing aid cell phone assistive technology/AT policy