Recent issues related to accessibility for hard of hearing people. ITU JCA-AHF 12 February 2018 Geneva Lidia Best . EFHOH Vice President

European Federation of Hard of Hearing ( EFHOH) EFHOH Vision and Objectives a Europe where hard of hearing people can live without barriers, and have the opportunity to participate in all levels of society . Covering 21 Countries

Improving quality of life for hard of hearing people in Europe Awareness rising at the European Parliament Direct consultations with the European Commission European Accessibility Act EDF Experts Groups

Innovation is welcome with caution…. We encourage technological innovation, these new developments should ensure for the compatibility of hearing aids with mobile phones and assistive listening devices. We believe, that for the foreseeable future, the proven technology of the Telecoil must be included and activated in hearing aids and cochlear implant processors.  Mobile phones and other sources of sound, should be compatible with the Telecoil.  New wireless technologies should work in parallel to the Telecoil.

Berlin Declaration 2017: Future Loops Many hearing-aids and cochlear-implants include the proven telecoil technology that works with hearing loops in large venues. Therefore, hearing loops are recommended in any large venue to provide accessibility for hard of hearing persons. As well, the Telecoil has to be included and activated in every hearing aid and to work in parallel to any new technology. The “Future Loops”, as we call this conference, is also about the development of improved accessibility systems in large venues. Important characteristics for these systems are: Several audio stereo channels, high sound quality, high immunity to interferences, low audio latency and several text channels for captions

Wireless listening – the future? Look out for wireless logo. It tells you, the building is fitted with wireless. You will need to have your CI or HA fitted with Bluetooth or have additional receiver. Using the code reader app on your smartphone you are able to listen into musical or sermon wirelessly. Presentation by Nicolai Bisgaard during HEALs 2014. Cernobio Italy

Hearing devices and spectrum interference EFHOH supported concerns across EU and the ITU When considering the extremely large numbers of ALD users, this testing whilst extensive cannot reproduce every situation where the 2.3GHz mobile phone equipment will interact with ALD users and only exposure to the networks and mobile phones when they are in operation will tell. Source: EFHOH/ EHIMA/ AEA “Joint response on the potential interference issues for hard of hearing people” Official response to European Commission June 2017

Are we ready for this? The situation can be further complicated by the increasing congestion in the 2.4-2.483 GHz band from various Short Range Devices - a congestion which will be greatly increased by the introduction of IoT devices. Source: EFHOH/ EHIMA/AEA “Joint response on the potential interference issues for hard of hearing people” Official response to European Commission June 2017

New threat to T-coils Radio Equipment Directive 2014/53/EU Prior to the introduction of the Radio Equipment Directive (RED) only frequencies above 9 kHz where regarded as “Radio equipment”, and regulated. Uses of the below 9 kHz spectrum include the T-Coils implemented in hearing aids and in cochlear implants’ sound processors for hard of hearing people

Current situation with RED In all Member States all T-coil type devices are illegally used as stipulated by RED (both transmitters and receivers). There is no legislation permitting their use and there is no legislation identifying them as either licence exempt or requiring a licence. Currently UK is seeking an interim solution. Other European countries (non-EU members, e.g., Switzerland) have already changed their local law exempting from licence the use of devices operating on frequencies below 9 kHz.

European Accessibility Act ( EAA) – latest update The EU Parliament had explicitly demanded connectivity to hearing devices and spelled out the hearing technologies to be considered by manufacturers in product design (“when relevant, such as hearing aids, telecoils, cochlear implants and assistive listening devices”), but the European Council position omits any reference to auditory devices. A newly-added annex provides mere examples of how to enhance use for hard-of-hearing persons and how to reduce audio signal interference

Thank you for your attention! Contact : smolarek-best@hotmail.co.uk vice.president@efhoh.org