Regulating hearing aid compatibility of cell phones: results from a national survey.
Assist Technol
; 32(4): 173-181, 2020 07 03.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-30332559
ABSTRACT
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.
Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Communication Aids for Disabled
/
Cell Phone
/
Hearing Aids
Type of study:
Observational_studies
/
Prognostic_studies
Limits:
Adolescent
/
Adult
/
Aged
/
Aged80
/
Female
/
Humans
/
Male
/
Middle aged
Country/Region as subject:
America do norte
Language:
En
Journal:
Assist Technol
Journal subject:
REABILITACAO
Year:
2020
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Estados Unidos