The US FCC requires that, from 5 December 2023, handsets must comply with the ANSI C63.19-2019 standard (HAC 2019).

The standard adds a volume control test requirement, and the FCC has agreed to a partial waiver of the volume control test requested by ATIS, allowing handset products to obtain HAC certification by reducing part of the volume control testing.

New certification applications must fully comply with the requirements of 285076 D04 Volume Control v02, or with 285076 D04 Volume Control v02 in combination with the interim waiver procedure under KDB 285076 D05 HAC Waiver DA 23-914 v01.

Comparison of the old and new versions of the standard

HAC requirements in different countries

About HAC

Hearing aid compatibility (HAC) refers to the compatibility of a mobile phone when used together with a hearing aid. To reduce the electromagnetic interference experienced by hearing aid users when using mobile phones, national communications standards organisations have developed HAC test standards and conformity requirements.

HAC testing is usually divided into radio frequency interference (RF Rating) testing and audio signal (T-Coil) testing, and the latest FCC requirements add a volume control requirement.