The Federal Communications Commission announced that going forward, all mobile handsets, including smartphones, in the US will have to be compatible with hearing aids. It’s also established new rules around volume control and improved product labeling so people with hearing aids can make informed buying decisions.

The gist is the FCC is establishing a Bluetooth pairing requirement, thereby discouraging smartphone makers from using proprietary versions that could limit compatibility. In a press release, it says that doing so will ensure universal connectivity between mobile phones, hearing aids, and over-the-counter hearing aids. While a Hearing Aid Compatibility Task Force report found that most smartphones do support hearing aids, this…

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