Any workplace that has less than 15 employees are exempt from the non common area requirements, but still must comply with the common area standards.

Workplaces Included in HAC Standards

Headsets do not have requirements such as general telephones in the workplace, meaning it is not required to be readily accessible. If an employee has a hearing disability and a headset is required to perform at work, then the company is responsible for providing one that is hearing aid compatible.

Headset Requirements and HAC in the Workplace

It is a requirement that all phones located in a common area at a place of work are compatible. This would include libraries, reception, and other common gathering spots. For non common areas, all telephones must be compatible. This includes offices, stations, mail rooms, and more.

Michigan State University

Telephones that follow the standards of hearing aid compatibility include all coin operated and credit care operated telephones, telephones set up for emergencies, places of employment and places of public accommodation, all telephones manufactured or imported for use in the United States 

Application of HAC Phones in the United States

(n.d.). Retrieved from https://transition.fcc.gov/Bureaus/Common_Carrier/FAQ/faq_hac.html


HAC FCC Requirements

Any establishment that is open for the general public to pay for an overnight stay is required to follow standards. When examining the regulations in each guest room, the minimum is that there needs to be 20% of rooms that are hearing aid compatible.

Hearing Aid Compatible Phones in Hotels 

If there is an establishment associated with the university that is something such as a hotel, hospital, or other specific facility then they must follow the standards. University workplaces are also required to follow standards. Dorm rooms and other residence halls are exempt from regulations because the duration of the stay exceeds the typical overnight understanding. But, all phones that are available for emergencies or phones in places such as elevators and bus stops must be HAC.

Hearing Aid Compatible Phones for Universities

A confined setting, which includes hospitals and nursing phones, are required to have HAC telephones. These locations do not need to provide a telephone that is HAC compatible in each room if there is some sort of ‘signaling device’ that a patient can use to call appropriate staff and personnel in case of emergency if the device is available, working, and monitored.

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