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FCC Chairman Michael Powell
Applauds Creation of ATIS’ Hearing Aid Compatibility Incubator
Technical Experts from Wireless Service Providers, Handset,
and Hearing Aid Manufacturers Convene for First Meeting
September 5, 2003, Washington, D.C. – Technical
experts from the nation’s leading wireless service providers,
as well as handset and hearing aid manufacturers and audiologists
met today in Washington, D.C. to develop recommendations that
would improve standards designed to alleviate signal interference
between hearing aids and wireless devices. In a statement released
late yesterday, Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Chairman
Michael Powell applauded the formation of the ATIS Hearing Aid
Compatibility (HAC) Incubator, adding that it is among recent
initiatives that “will significantly advance the Commission’s
commitment to ensuring that all Americans – whether or
not they use hearing aids – have an opportunity to enjoy
the benefits of wireless communications.” Powell added
that the work of the Incubator “is integral to preserving
access to wireless telecommunications to individuals with hearing
disabilities.”
“The establishment of the ATIS HAC Incubator is a critical
response to the FCC’s recent ruling requiring wireless
manufacturers and service providers to make digital wireless
phones accessible to individuals with hearing disabilities,”
said ATIS President & CEO Susan M. Miller. “There
are significant technical and standardization issues surrounding
handset and hearing aid compatibility. Given the FCC’s
decision to lift the exemption on hearing aid compatibility
for wireless phones, now more than ever, there is a need to
effectively fast-track and resolve compatibility concerns.”
A key area of work for the HAC Incubator is to create an independent
assessment of the current hearing aid compatibility standard,
popularly known within the wireless and hearing aid industries
as ANSI C63.19. Among its activities, the HAC Incubator is expected
to investigate and develop recommendations for measuring hearing
aid immunity, magnetic coupling, and interference believed to
be caused by wireless devices. Findings from the HAC Incubator’s
investigation will be released to the FCC, and to the Food and
Drug Administration (FDA).
“Among the activities we will be actively engaged in
are compatibility testing, and identification of sources of
hearing aid related interference emanating from wireless devices,”
said Miller. “Our primary goal, of course, is to foster
interoperability between different wireless devices and different
hearing aids through widely-adopted industry standards.”
The diverse mix of companies and consumer groups active in
the ATIS HAC Incubator include the following service providers
and wireless manufacturers: Verizon Wireless, AT&T Wireless,
Sprint PCS, T-Mobile, Cingular Wireless, Nokia, Siemens, Samsung,
Audiovox, Panasonic, Motorola, Sony Ericsson, and Kyocera. Hearing
Aid Manufacturers include Siemens HA, Starky and Etymotic. Individuals
serving as leaders of the ATIS HAC Incubator include Mary M.
Jones (T-Mobile), ATIS HAC Incubator Chair; ATIS Board of Directors
member Chris Wallace (Nokia), Vice Chair; and Ron Scicluna (HIA),
Vice Chair.
More information on the ATIS HAC Incubator is available on
the ATIS Web site: www.atis.org.
For more information on FCC Chairman Powell’s statement
on wireless hearing aid compatibility, visit http://hraunfoss.fcc.gov/edocs_public/attachmatch/DOC-238664A1.doc
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About ATIS
ATIS is a technical planning and standards development organization
that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical
and operations standards for the communications and related
information technologies industry worldwide using a pragmatic,
flexible and open approach. Over 1,400 participants from more
than 400 communications companies are active in ATIS’
16 industry committees, and its Incubator Solutions Program.
www.atis.org
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