Products providing auditory output shall provide the auditory signal at a standard signal level through an industry standard connector.
1. Individuals using audio peripheral devices such as
amplifiers, telecoil adapters, or direct-connection into a hearing aid need a
standard, noise free way to tap into the audio generated by a product.
2. Individuals who cannot hear well can often use products
if they can isolate and enhance the audio output. For example, they could plug
in a headphone which makes the audio louder and helps shut out background
noise; they might feed the signal through an amplifier
to make it louder, or through filters or frequency shifters to make it better
fit their audio profile. If they are wearing a hearing aid, they may directly connect
their hearing aid to the audio signal or plug in a small audio loop which
allows them to couple the audio signal through their hearing aid's built-in
T-coil.
3. Devices which can process the information and provide visual and/or tactile output are also possible. The most common strategy for achieving this requirement is the use of a standard 9 mm miniature plug-in jack, common to virtually every personal tape player or radio. For small products, a subminiature phone jack could be used.