HLAA Files Complaint Against Apple Over iPhone

The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) has filed a complaint with the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) that oversees regulations concerning everything from web use to standards for hearing devices. The complaint involves the overwhelmingly popular iPhone, released in the summer of 2007.

According to Brenda Battat, Associate Executive Director at HLAA, "The [iPhone] is not usable with a hearing aid, either on the microphone or telecoil setting. Clearly it was not designed to be hearing aid compatible. It should have been."

Ms. Battat refers to Section 255 of FCC regulations that require all telecommunications products - including cell phones - must be accessible to people with disabilities. The regulation is somewhat open to interpretation, however. The inclusion of hearing aid compatible technology must be "readily achievable" and "easily accomplishable without much difficulty or expense." With obviously ambiguous words like "readily," "easily," and "much," Apple certainly hasn't moved quickly to address what is certainly a public relations problem if not a legal problem.

The complaint states that Apple had a responsibility to test the iPhone to hearing aid compatibility (HAC) standards so that it could be used by hearing aid and cochlear implant users.

Ms. Battat has met with Apple officials twice since the complaint was filed. During one meeting, Apple's representatives attempted to allay HLAA concerns with a demonstration of the iPhone used in conjunction with a contemporary hearing device. Apparently, Ms. Battat wasn't impressed.

"When held up to a cochlear implant and/or a hearing aid it gives out a loud buzzing sound," the HLAA associate director stated. "Apple is well aware of the accessibility problems..."

Apple does have a loophole. FCC regulations state that, "Handset manufacturers that offer two or fewer digital wireless handsets in the US need not comply with the hearing aid compatibility compliance obligations."

Because the iPhone is Apple's only cell, it may not be required to adapt the existing product to HAC standards. However, Apple is certainly missing out on a significant market segment if it doesn't add telecoil technology, which isn't necessarily costly or even high tech, to its iPhone.

And, of course, if the company plans to expand its cell phone product line, the FCC would require Apple to make all of their products HAC compliant.

The complaint is expected to be heard by the FCC early in Fall, 2007.

~ Audiology Online Staff Writer