Thread Subject: Telecom Subcomm Summary of 11.6.06 conf. AudioOutput

Note

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From: Brooner Mary-AMB004
Date: Tue, Nov 07 2006 11:10 AM

TO ALL WHO WERE ON THE CALL: IF YOU HAVE EDITS or ADDITIONS TO THIS
SUMMARY, PLEASE FEED BACK TO ME. I will make changes on a master and
submit to the WiKI on Wednesday. my direct email is
= EMAIL ADDRESS REMOVED = . thanks, mb

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The topic discussed was Audio Output. This topic will be continued in
the next call, Monday, 11.13.06.

**Initial clarification to focus the discussion: we agreed our
discussion would be on ACOUSTIC Audio Output, meaning from my voice to
ears with hearing loss. Further agreed, Acoustic Audio Output includes
tonal output if intended for the ear.

**Sharing of information about some questions quickly narrowed to where
the 20 dB requirement came from. It was agreed that it has been around
for some time going back to wireline HAC proceedings at the FCC in the
1980's. 18dB is from the HAC Wireline proceeding (1982). It was
pointed out that any dB not a multiple of 6 makes no sense because the
gain doubles in multiples of 6. For example 18dB is twice the gain of
12 dB. Noted that special transducers are needed in handsets to achieve
even 20dB.

**Question raised who does 20dB help and was it intended to be built in
to all phones for 508 Standard or as an add-on. Most people hard of
hearing ("HoH")have high frequency loss; it's not all about volume.
Control of ambient noise an issue for HoH, separate issue from volume.
There was belief in call group that 20dB intended to be in all handsets
under 508 procurement, but it was noted by a vendor of 508 telecom
equipment that when offered, it had never been accepted by the procuring
officers except as an add-on.

**Clarification raised to explore what may be differences in wireline
and wireless equipment. It was noted that powering higher gain on
wireline system may be achievable but powering on a wireless system
might require fundamental alteration or batteries of infeasible size.
Question was asked if any studies exist. Technical question also
regarding conflicting standards and specifications between GSM Standards
for GSM product and 508 standard for volume of 20dB.

**Automatic Volume reset. It was suggested that this perhaps should
remain a requirement for wireline handsets but should not be required
for wireless handsets because of their more personal use. General
agreement on this point.

**Note was given that whatever the subcommittee recommends, we will be
asked to provide cost impact and if a significant cost, it will be a
tougher row to hoe to get into the standards. Brief discussion of
whether to have compromise positions, but no conclusions made.

**This topic to be continued in next meeting, 11/13/06 at 2 pm EDT.
Chair agreed to research the French requirements on volume levels of
devices for public use.

Submitted by Co-chair, Mary Brooner

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