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Contents
Introduction ................................................................................................................... 3
Comments and Responses ...................................
Contact ..................................................................
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Currently, one in six Australians has some form of hearing impairment, and this is projected to increase to one in four by 2050 1 . Accordingly, it is imperative that the communication needs of this growing sector of society are satisfactorily met.
Deafness Forum is the peak body for deafness in Australia. Established in early 1993 at the instigation of the Federal government, the Deafness Forum now represents all interests and viewpoints of the Deaf and hearing impaired communities of Australia (including those people who have a chronic disorder of the ear and those who are Deafblind).
The Deafness Forum exists to improve the quality of life for Australians who are Deaf, have a hearing impairment or have a chronic disorder of the ear by:

advocating for government policy change and development

making input into policy and legislation

generating public awareness

providing a forum for information sharing and

creating better understanding between all areas of deafness.
Deafness Forum has consulted with members in all states of Australia to gather feedback on this topic. Our responses represent a number of comments received and our own deductions based on our continuing engagement with members and referral of complaints and questions.
Our comments relate solely to the issues effecting the Deaf and hearing impaired.
1. The Deafness Forum of Australia is particularly concerned with the lack of information on the available features on phone handsets, particularly ‘mobile handsets’. While DFA notes that this issue is referred to in the Explanatory Statement and an attempt is made under 3.1.2 to address this problem, DFA believes these provisions fall short.
G627 refers to the following Matrix for Fixed line Handsets:
Key feedback - displayed Number being dialled is displayed on the screen Yes / No
Ringer volume adjustable Adjustment of the ringing volume is possible Yes / No
Text display - visual Visual display of incoming text is provided Yes / No
Tactile ringing signal Vibrating indication is provided when the phone rings Yes / No
Visual ringing signal Light source is provided to indicate when the phone rings Yes /
No
Visual line status display Visual display of the line status (i.e. on-line) Yes / No
Microphone amplification Adjustable volume control of microphone to amplify outgoing speech. Yes / No
Setting "Retains" or "Resets" to default after each call. Retains / Resets
1 Access Economics: Listen Hear! The economic impact and cost of hearing loss in Australia , February
2006, pp.41
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DFA suggests that while those features listed above are of some benefit to the Deaf and hearing impaired community, these fail to acknowledge the key requirements for this large section of the Australian community.
Deafness Forum suggests the following: a. That the requirement for ‘ringer volume’ should be listed as per the decibel level produced by the handset. EG:
Ringer volume - level level in dB with ringer volume at maximum at 1 metre using the default ring tone ? dB b. That the handset earpiece volume be clearly addressed and displayed in the
Matrix. EG: c.
Handset Earpiece volume - level level in dB with volume at maximum using sound level meter on earpiece as per clause xxx ? dB
That the existence of the Telecoil feature be established in the matrix c.1. That the Telecoil Level in mA/m be clearly stated in the Matrix EG: d.
Telecoil Level level in mA/m with volume at maximum using field strength meter on earpiece as per clause xxx ? mA/m
That the existence of an accessories socket (especially if the handset of of a cordless nature) be established within the Matrix. EG:
Accessories Socket Is the cordless handset capable of connecting a hands free accessory kit.
G627 refers to the following Matrix for Mobile Handsets:
Key feedback - displayed Number being dialled is displayed on the screen Yes / No
Ringer volume adjustable Adjustment of the ringing volume is possible Yes / No
Receiver Amplification Volume Level can be adjusted by the user Yes/No
Automatic Answering Enables the phone to pick up a call automatically after a designated number of rings. Yes / No
Automatic Hanging Up Phone ends the call when the other person hangs up Yes / No
Text display - visual Visual display of incoming text is provided Yes / No
Tactile ringing signal Vibrating indication is provided when the phone rings Yes / No
Visual ringing signal Light source is provided to indicate when the phone rings Yes /
N o
Visual line status display Visual display of the line status (i.e. on-line) Yes / No
Microphone amplification Adjustable volume control of microphone to amplify outgoing speech. Yes / No
Setting "Retains" or "Resets" to default after each call. Retains / Resets
Speech-input keying Voice recognition for setting up calls. Yes / No
Text send - keyboard Standard layout of QWERTY keyboard Yes / No
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In a similar vein to that which DFA has outlined above regarding fixed line handsets, DFA suggests the following: a. That the requirement for ‘ringer volume’ should be listed as per the decibel level produced by the handset. EG:
Ringer volume - level level in dB with ringer volume at maximum at 1 metre using the default ring tone ? dB b. That the handset earpiece volume be clearly addressed and displayed in the
Matrix. EG: c.
Handset Earpiece volume - level level in dB with volume at maximum using sound level meter on earpiece as per clause xxx ? dB
That the existence of the telecoil feature be established in the matrix c.1. That the Telecoil Level in mA/m be clearly stated in the Matrix EG:
Telecoil Level level in mA/m with volume at maximum using field strength meter on earpiece as per clause xxx ? mA/m
That the existence of an accessories socket be established within the Matrix. EG: d.
Accessories Socket Is the mobile handset capable of connecting a hands free accessory kit.
Deafness Forum believes the above points should be acknowledged as minimum requirements, and that such information should be provided for and published without exception. Furthermore, DFA proposes that the inclusion of such information in available sale related paraphernalia should not be negotiable.
2. Deafness Forum of Australia suggests that provision for a labeling system be made, similar to that proposed and utilized in the United States of America (USA) by the Federal
Communications Commission (FCC). The FCC governs and enforces the labeling of handsets as per their Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC). Mobile handsets are tested to see if they comply with the FCC's definition of hearing aid compatibility and accordingly
Information about whether a wireless device is rated for HAC can be is displayed in three places:
1) on the display cards next to devices in service provider operated retail stores,
2) on the packages containing wireless devices,
3) in the product's manual or packaging insert.
All major handset manufacturers in the US are required to offer HAC-compliant devices and may also offer hands-free accessories to improve usability. There is no reason why this standard should not be adopted within Australia, particularly as it is evident that the necessary information is already readily available in the USA. With one in six Australians currently with a hearing impairment it is essential that their needs be addressed not just for the consumer but for the product provider to ensure business growth and product satisfaction.
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Contact
If you have any questions about the information contained in this submission, please contact
Nicole Lawder,
CEO,
Deafness Forum of Australia
218 Northbourne Avenue
Braddon ACT 2612
Phone 02 6262 7808
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