On July 8, 2025, the Federal Communications Commission's Wireless Telecommunications Bureau (WTB) published a notice requesting public comment on a petition filed by CTIA on July 2, 2025.

This petition seeks to extend the use of a temporary volume control standard used to certify that mobile phones are hearing aid compatible until a new final standard takes effect.

In February 2021, the FCC adopted the 2019 version of the ANSI standard for determining hearing aid compatibility (HAC). Unlike previous versions, this standard incorporated an explicit volume control requirement for the first time, using the TIA 5050 standard, which defines the necessary conversational gain for hearing aid users. This standard was to become the sole test method for compatibility certification starting June 5, 2023.

However, in December 2022, the ATIS organization requested an exemption from this requirement, citing technical difficulties in fully complying with the new volume protocol. In response, the FCC granted an initial extension until December 2023, and then, on September 29, 2023, approved a partial, temporary exemption, allowing manufacturers to certify devices using a reduced test method for volume control. This measure was limited to a two-year period, until September 29, 2025.

WHOM DOES IT IMPACT?

The direct impact is on mobile phone manufacturers and people with hearing impairments.

CONCLUSION:

Although the regulatory change itself is neither structural nor immediate, its practical importance for market continuity and accessibility means that the impact cannot be considered low.