(4 pages) National Academies of Sciences, Engineering, and Medicine (NASEM). Recommendations for interoperability, public awareness, effective communication, and building specs
“Community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, employers, private sector businesses, and government agencies (local, state, federal) should promote work and community environments that are conducive to effective communication and that support individuals with hearing loss. Specifically, they should:
#8 Improve the Compatibility and Interoperability of Hearing Technologies with Communications Systems
The Federal Communications Commission, Federal Trade Commission, Food and Drug Administration, National Institutes of Health, and other relevant federal agencies; the American National Standards Institute and other standards-setting organizations; manufacturers; and industry, professional, and consumer advocacy organizations should:
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- Develop standards that ensure that hearing aids and OTC wearable hearing devices are compatible and interoperable with other technologies and communications systems;
- Increase public awareness and consumer-friendly information on the availability, connectivity, and use of hearing aids and hearing assistive technologies;
#12 Promote Individual, Employer, Private Sector, and Community-Based Actions to Support and Manage Hearing Health and Effective Communication
Community-based organizations, advocacy organizations, employers, private sector businesses, and government agencies (local, state, federal) should promote work and community environments that are conducive to effective communication and that support individuals with hearing loss. Specifically, they should:
- Ensure compliance with the Americans with Disabilities Act and other related laws supporting people with disabilities and strive to exceed their minimum requirements;
- Research and incorporate features into buildings and public spaces that improve hearing and communication (e.g., universal design, hearing assistive technologies).
