Apple AirPods Pro 2 Receives FDA Clearance, FCC New Rules to Boost Smartphone Hearing Aid Compatibility

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Receives FDA Clearance, FCC New Rules to Boost Smartphone Hearing Aid CompatibilityAt the 2024 Apple Fall event held on September 10th, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro 2 will be adding new hearing health features, with updates rolling out later this year. Prior to this announcement, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 received clearance from the U

Apple AirPods Pro 2 Receives FDA Clearance, FCC New Rules to Boost Smartphone Hearing Aid Compatibility

At the 2024 Apple Fall event held on September 10th, Apple announced that the AirPods Pro 2 will be adding new hearing health features, with updates rolling out later this year. Prior to this announcement, the Apple AirPods Pro 2 received clearance from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) for over-the-counter hearing aids.

However, compatibility with smartphones has been a persistent issue for those reliant on hearing aids. To address this, the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) on October 17th issued a notice requiring all mobile phones sold in the United States to be hearing aid compatible.

The FCCs new rules are designed to not only ensure seamless connection between hearing aids and phones, but also include other important measures:

• Volume Control Standards: The FCC mandates that smartphone manufacturers meet new volume control benchmarks, ensuring no distortion occurs when users increase the volume. This is intended to provide a clearer audio experience for everyone, not just those with hearing impairments.

• Improved Product Labeling: The FCC requires phone manufacturers to modify product labeling to include information regarding hearing aid compatibility, electromagnetic induction coil or Bluetooth coupling requirements, and talk-gain information (how much the phones volume can be raised while still meeting volume control requirements).

By standardizing Bluetooth pairing requirements, the FCC aims to prevent any smartphone manufacturer from limiting compatibility through software, ensuring universal connectivity between mobile phones, hearing aids, and over-the-counter hearing aids. While most smartphones currently support hearing aids, this policy will help bridge the remaining gaps.

The new rules are undoubtedly a victory for the hearing-impaired community. The FCC states that this will ensure universal connectivity between mobile phones, hearing aids, and over-the-counter hearing aids. While most smartphones currently support hearing aids, this policy will help bridge the remaining gaps, allowing more individuals to enjoy clearer audio experiences.

Its important to note that the new rules will take some time to fully take effect and will provide manufacturers a 24-month transition period. In the future, as an increasing number of smartphones comply with the FCCs new standards, individuals with hearing impairments will have more convenient and reliable calling and audio experiences.