PUBLIC NOTICE
Federal Communications Commission
445 12
th
 St., S.W.
Washington, D.C. 20554
News Media Information 202 / 418-0500
Internet: https://www.fcc.gov
TTY: 1-888-835-5322
DA 18-216
March 6, 2018
NOTICE OF EFFECTIVE DATE OF HEARING AID COMPATIBILITY RULES
CG Docket No. 13-46, WT Docket Nos. 07-250 and 10-254
On October 24, 2017, the Federal Communications Commission (Commission or FCC)
 
amended 
the hearing aid compatibility (HAC) rules governing wireline and wireless handsets.
1
  Among other 
things, the Commission approved a new wireline HAC volume control standard, adopted a requirement 
for volume control in wireless handsets, and eliminated an obsolete wireless handset standard.
2
  The 
effective date for these rules is March 30, 2018,
3
 which is thirty days after the date of publication of the 
HAC Order in the Federal Register.
4
    
To request materials in accessible formats for people with disabilities (braille, large print, 
electronic files, or audio format), send an e-mail to fcc504@fcc.gov or call the Consumer and 
Governmental Affairs Bureau at (202) 418-0530 (voice), (844) 432-2275 (videophone), or (202) 418-
0432 (TTY).  
For further information about this proceeding, please contact (1) for wireless issues: Jonathan 
Lechter at (202) 418-7387 or Jonathan.Lechter@fcc.gov; and (2) for wireline issues:  Susan Bahr at (202) 
418-0573 or Susan.Bahr@fcc.gov.
-FCC-
1
 Access to Telecommunication Equipment and Services by Persons with Disabilities; Amendment of the 
Commission’s Rules Governing Hearing Aid-Compatible Mobile Handsets; Comment Sought on 2010 Review of 
Hearing Aid Compatibility Regulations, Report and Order and Order on Reconsideration, 32 FCC Rcd 9063 (2017) 
(HAC Order), https://apps.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/FCC-17-135A1_Rcd.pdf.
2
 HAC Order, 32 FCC Rcd at 9064; 47 CFR §§ 20.19(b)(1)-(2), (e)(1)(iii)(B)-(D), (f)(1)(i)-(ii), (k)(2), (l), 68.1, 
68.2(a), 68.3 (selected definitions), 68.224(b), 68.317(a)(1)-(2), (h)-(i), 68.320(e).
3
 In addition, certain rules are subject to a transition period, and affected entities are not required to comply with 
those rules until the end of the transition period.  See 47 CFR §§ 20.19(b)(1)-(2), (e)(1)(iii)(B)-(D), (f)(1)(ii), 
68.317(a)(1)-(2), (h).
4
 Federal Communications Commission, Hearing Aid Compatibility Standards, 83 Fed. Reg. 8624 (Feb. 28, 2018).  
However, the new sections 47 CFR §§ 68.501-504, applicable to wireline handsets used for advanced 
communications services, which contain information collection requirements, require approval by the Office of 
Management and Budget (OMB) under the Paperwork Reduction Act of 1995, Pub. L. No. 104-13, 109 Stat. 163 
(1995) (codified at 44 U.S.C. §§ 3501-3520), and shall become effective after the Commission publishes a notice in 
the Federal Register announcing OMB approval and an effective date.