Nascent HAC Task Force Files First Report with FCC

January 19,2018

HLAA in Action lets you know what HLAA is doing in the world of advocacy and public policy. Please direct any questions or news to Lise Hamlin, director of public policy.

Advocacy Updates

Nascent Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force Files First Report with FCC

Consumer representatives Hearing Loss Association of America, the National Association of the Deaf, and the Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing filed a joint letter with wireless industry representatives Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA, and the Telecommunications Industry Association updating the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on progress made toward creating a stakeholder task force that will determine, among other things, whether 100 percent hearing aid compatibility (HAC) is achievable for wireless handsets.

It is anticipated that the task force will be set up this year. It will be comprised of consumer representatives who use hearing aid devices, research and technical advisors, wireless industry policy and technical representatives, and hearing aid manufacturers.

Over the course of six years, the task force will gather data, regularly convene and make a determination on the 100 percent goal. Their recommendations will then be presented to the FCC for consideration.

HLAA is looking forward to working with all the stakeholders to ensure greater access to wireless phones for people with hearing loss who use hearing aids or cochlear implants.

More information on existing FCC hearing aid compatibility rules is available on the FCC website.

How Medicare Could Provide Dental, Vision, and Hearing Care for Beneficiaries

The analysis reveals high unmet need for dental, vision, and hearing services, as well as cost burdens. Among all Medicare beneficiaries, of those who needed a hearing aid, 75 percent did not have one; of those who had trouble eating because of their teeth, 70 percent did not go to the dentist in the past year; and of those who had trouble seeing, 43 percent did not have an eye exam in the past year. [Read more]

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Hearing Loss Association of Florida

The Hearing Loss Association of Florida, Inc. (HLAA-FL), a Voluntary non-profit organization, is dedicated to the well-being of the more than 3-million Floridians of all ages and communication styles with hearing loss.

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