The Hearing Aid Compatibility Act of 1988 (HAC Act) generally
requires that the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) ensure
that telephones manufactured or imported for use in the United
States after August 1989, and all "essential" telephones, are
hearing aid-compatible. When Congress passed the Act in 1988, it
specifically exempted "telephones used with public mobile
services" (wireless atelephones) from these requirements. To
ensure that the HAC Act kept pace with the evolution of
telecommunications, however, Congress granted the FCC a means to
revoke or limit the exemption for wireless telephones. On August
14, 2003, the FCC determined that continuation of a complete
exemption for wireless telephones would have an adverse effect
on individuals with hearing disabilities, and that limiting the
exemption was technologically feasible and in the public
interest. Based upon these findings, the FCC established rules
for the hearing aid compatibility of digital wireless phones.
What Makes a Phone Hearing Aid C