Groups Seek Administrator for HAC Task Force Writing Report for FCC

The six associations that earlier agreed to launch a Hearing Aid Compatible (HAC) Task Force are seeking applicants for administrator. In 2016, the FCC unanimously adopted rules aimed at making all wireless handsets HAC within eight years (see 1608040046). The FCC also established a task force that will report back by the end of 2020 on whether the eight-year goal is feasible. The Competitive Carriers Association, CTIA, the Hearing Loss Association of America, National Association of the Deaf, Telecommunications for the Deaf and Hard of Hearing and the Telecommunications Industry Association are working together on launch of the task force. “The Administrator will lead the HAC Task Force process as it assesses technical and market conditions to make a final recommendation to the FCC,” the groups said Wednesday, in a release emailed the following day. “The Signatories seek applicants with relevant technical, legal, administrative and policy expertise to manage the process, which will carefully weigh the needs of consumers with hearing loss, the wireless industry, and other industry participants.”