FCC Approves Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems in the United States

The Federal Communication Commission (FCC) approved a change in its regulation that now permits operation of Wireless Multichannel Audio Systems (WMAS) in the United States. WMAS is an advanced wireless microphone technology designed to meet the challenges of highly demanding live performance and studio applications. Sennheiser started development work on WMAS over ten years ago and, in August 2018, the company filed a Petition for Rulemaking with the FCC requesting a modification in the bandwidth limit specified for wireless microphones.

Five years after the original OTC hearing aid act was signed into law on August 18, 2017, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued a final rule establishing Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids. The FDA also issued the final Regulatory Requirements for Hearing Aid Devices and Personal Sound Amplification Products, clarifying the differences between hearing aids, which are medical devices, personal sound amplification products, and the new category of OTC hearing aids, which can be purchased directly from stores or online.

NTi Audio has implemented NoiseScout, a complete professional solution for unattended sound level monitoring. With a Noise Monitoring Station from NTi Audio, both short-term sound level measurements and long-term monitoring can be easily achieved. At the core is an XL2 Sound Level Meter, which in turn connects to the Internet via a NetBox. The remote access to the monitoring station is managed via the NTi Audio Gateway or the self-managing NoiseScout Web Portal.