Genachowski: FCC is 'setting stage' for cell phones to meet hearing aid standards

The Federal Communications Commission (FCC) took steps Thursday to make technology more accessible to people with hearing disabilities through measures approved by commissioners in both parties. 

The agency issued an order that will expand hearing aid compatibility rules to include any consumer device that contains a built-in speaker and is designed to be held to the ear. 

The order also requires large companies to offer at least one hearing aid-compatible model of their devices after two years. The agency also moved to  seek public input on what new rules might be required to make the latest devices more accessible.

The FCC's action "sets the stage for some of the latest wireless phones — such as the iPhone — to meet hearing aid compatibility standards," FCC Chairman Julius Genachowski said.

The FCC also adopted a policy statement that urges manufacturers to think about hearing aid compatibility when they are still in the planning stages of product development.  

The measures had the support of commissioners from both parties. Republican Commissioner Robert McDowell, who had pushed for changes to some parts of the actions, said the measures preserve "conditions for innovation and investment." He commended the staff for using his input. 

In a separate success for advocates of accessible technology standards, an update to the Americans with Disabilities Act passed the Senate late last week after clearing the House in July. The update to the two-decade-old law tries to ensure electronics not covered by current rules must also meet accessibility standards. 

For instance, the legislation will mandate closed captioning on a larger swath of online video. Rep. Edward Markey (D-Mass.) and Sen. Mark Pryor (D-Ark.) authored the bill.