The FCC on Thursday issued rules require all mobile phones, including smartphones, sold in the U.S. to be hearing aid compatible. The news comes two years after the FDA made hearing aids available to all Americans without a prescription.
The FCC has not yet issued a specific timeline for compliance, only noting that the rules will come into full effect “after a transition period.” The rules discourage phone makers from implementing proprietary Bluetooth pairing, which could limit the device’s compatibility with over-the-counter hearing aids.
Under the new rules, companies will have to indicate on their website whether a given phone is hearing aid compatible.