An Open Letter from Susan Miller, President and CEO of the Alliance for Telecommunication Industry Solutions (ATIS), and Steve Largent, President and CEO of CTIA- The Wireless Association® to Consumers with Hearing Loss Regarding Hearing Aid Compatibility With Wireless Devices

In response to the September 16, 2005 FCC Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) deadline the ATIS AISP.4 Hearing Aid Compatibility Incubator and CTIA- The Wireless Association® have teamed up with consumer groups, hearing aid manufacturers, and professional hearing health organizations to produce educational materials and information essential to consumers with hearing loss.

In meeting the FCC’s HAC requirements, wireless service providers and device manufacturers will provide hard of hearing consumers with tested products and labeled packaging. The new labels will reflect a wireless device rating for compatibility with hearing aids. An explanation of this rating system is one of the topics important to consumers with hearing loss that are covered in our educational outreach materials for consumers.

The linked brochure, “Get the Buzz Out”, (Click here to download the brochure and “Get the Buzz Out.”) was specifically designed to educate those who are looking for wireless devices that are compatible with hearing aids. It is part of a comprehensive educational outreach effort developed by ATIS and CTIA- The Wireless Association®, seeking to educate and promote the range of wireless devices available to consumers with hearing loss.

In addition, we invite you to explore http://www.accesswireless.org, a website devoted to listing accessible telecommunications products for persons with hearing, visual, mobility and cognitive disabilities. Hosted by CTIA- The Wireless Association®, the website contains the latest information about hearing aid compatibility with wireless devices, allows consumers to share information, and links to other important websites that provide information on telecommunications services and devices for persons with disabilities.

We look forward to continuing the important work of making wireless devices compatible with hearing aids as the industry works toward the next deadline of September 2006 for the “Telecoil” inductive coupling. With the support, collaboration, and open dialogue between hard of hearing consumers, hearing healthcare professionals, and the wireless industry, consumers with hearing loss can look forward to increasingly positive experiences when using wireless devices.

Sincerely,

Susan Miller Steve Largent

President and CEO President and CEO

Alliance for Telecommunications CTIA- The Wireless Association®

Industry Solutions

ATIS is a United States based body that is committed to rapidly developing and promoting technical and operations standards for the communications and related information technologies industry worldwide. The ATIS AISP.4 Hearing Aid Compatibility Incubator is comprised of technical experts and liaisons from the wireless device manufacturers and service providers, the hearing aid industry, and consumer advocates for the hard of hearing. The Incubator investigates performance between hearing aids and wireless devices to determine methods of enhancing interoperability and usability for consumers with hearing aids in order for those in the hearing aid and cellular wireless industries to meet the requirements set forth by the FCC.

CTIA- The Wireless Association® is an international organization representing all sectors of wireless communications and who coordinates the industry's efforts to be responsible and responsive to concerns about wireless health and product usage issues, while operating an equipment testing and certification program to ensure high quality and reliability for consumers.