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Auditory Assistance Devices
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The FCC allows auditory assistance devices on an unlicensed basis in the bands 72-73, 74.6-74.8, and 75.2-76 MHz, under Part 15. These allow hard-of-hearing people to participate in events together with people with normal hearing in settings like classrooms, theaters, and houses of worship. A low-power radio transmitter sends sound to the user’s receiver, which amplifies the sound and delivers it to headphones without disturbing non-users in the room. The FCC has expanded eligibility beyond assistance to handicapped persons to include simultaneous language translation.
The following background information is from the FCC Report & Order (FCC 13-59):
Part 15 of the Commission's rules provides for the operation of low power radio frequency (RF) devices without an individual license from the Commission. A party seeking to market a Part 15 unlicensed device to the public must first comply with the Commission's equipment authorization procedures, which, inter alia, require a demonstration that the device complies with the Commission's rules. As a general condition of operation, Part 15 devices may not cause harmful interference to any authorized services and must accept any interference that may be received from them or other Part 15 devices. Common Part 15 devices include cordless telephones, Wi-Fi devices, automated utility meter reading equipment, and auditory assistance devices.
Part 15 auditory assistance devices transmit audio via RF signals to specialized receivers used by listeners to enhance the reception of speech. By minimizing the disproportionate effects of background noise and reverberation on speech perception by people with disabilities, these devices improve the quality of sound over that which would be received via a loudspeaker system. Under the Part 15 rules, an auditory assistance device is defined as "[a]n intentional radiator used to provide auditory assistance to a handicapped person or persons. Such a device may be used for auricular training in an educational institution, for auditory assistance at places of public gatherings, such as a church, theater, or auditorium, and to handicapped individuals, only, in other locations."
The 72-76 MHz bands (72-73 MHz, 74.6-74.8 MHz, and 75.2-76 MHz) in which Part 15 auditory assistance devices are permitted to operate are allocated on a primary basis to licensed stations in the Public Mobile Service (Part 22), the Maritime Service (Part 80), the Aviation Service (Part 87), the Private Land Mobile Radio Service (Part 90), and the Radio Control (R/C) Radio Service (Part 95). In the bands adjacent to those bands in which Part 15 auditory assistance devices operate, the 73-74.6 MHz band is allocated on a primary basis to the Radio Astronomy Service for Federal and non-Federal use; the 74.8-75.2 MHz band is allocated on a primary basis to the Aeronautical Radionavigation Service for Federal and non-Federal use and is available for licensed use in the Radiodetermination Service (Part 87); and the 54-72 MHz (VHF TV channels 2-4) and 76-88 MHz bands (VHF TV channels 5 and 6) are allocated to the Broadcasting Service on a primary basis and are available for licensed TV broadcasting stations (Part 73).
On September 9, 2011, the Commission adopted an Order and Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (Auditory Assistance Device NPRM) in this proceeding that proposed to modify the Part 15 definition of "auditory assistance device" to expand the permissible uses of these devices to include simultaneous language interpretation. The expanded definition would allow Part 15 auditory assistance devices to be used by any person requiring simultaneous language interpretation at any location, in the same manner as permitted under Part 95 for Low Power Radio Service stations that operate in the 216-217 MHz band. The Commission took this action in response to a petition for declaratory ruling filed by Williams Sound Corporation (Williams Sound), a provider of wireless auditory assistance devices.
In the Auditory Assistance Device NPRM, the Commission sought comment on the advantages and disadvantages and potential benefits of expanding the permissible uses of Part 15 auditory assistance devices and any qualitative or quantitative costs associated with this proposal. It also sought comment on whether increased use of Part 15 auditory assistance devices for simultaneous language interpretation would increase the potential for harmful interference to authorized services in the 72-76 MHz and adjacent bands and whether additional safeguards or changes to the technical requirements for these devices would be necessary to prevent harmful interference to those services. In addition, the Commission sought comment on whether a more restrictive limit for Part 15 auditory assistance devices' out-of-band emissions is needed to prevent harmful interference to authorized services in the 72-76 MHz and adjacent bands and improve the reception of VHF TV channels 2-6.
Part 15 auditory assistance devices may operate in a full duplex mode of operation using necessary bandwidths up to 200 kilohertz wide. All fundamental emissions must be contained wholly within the 72-73 MHz, 74.6-74.8 MHz, and 75.2-76 MHz bands with a maximum field strength of 80 millivolts per meter (mV/m) measured at a distance of 3 meters, which is equivalent to a maximum effective radiated power (ERP) of 1.2 milliwatts (mW). The field strength of any unwanted emissions must not exceed 1,500 microvolts per meter (µV/m) measured at a distance of 3 meters, which is equivalent to an ERP of 0.4 microwatts (µW). The Commission asked what out-of-band emissions limit would be appropriate-the Section 15.209 limit, the unlicensed TV bands device limit, or some other limit – what would be an appropriate transition period for compliance, and whether currently approved Part 15 auditory assistance devices should be grandfathered for a limited time or permanently.
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Frequency Bands |
| Band | Use | Service11 | Table |
| 72 - 73 MHz | Auditory Assistance Devices (Part 15) | - | - |
| 74.6 - 74.8 MHz | Auditory Assistance Devices (Part 15) | - | - |
| 75.2 - 76 MHz | Auditory Assistance Devices (Part 15) | - | - |
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