On April 29, 2013, the FCC released a Report and Order to implement section 718 and part of section 716 of the Communications Act.

Launched in April 2012 by the Oticon Foundation and the non-profit Ida Institute, Ideas, Speak Up - Action and Awareness for Hearing Loss called for ideas with the potential to create public awareness of hearing loss, put hearing loss on the public agenda and encourage people to take action. More than 1,300 people worldwide contributed ideas aimed at meeting the campaign’s criteria for unique ideas that affect change locally and/or globally, are simple, thought-provoking and cost-effective and inspire people to action.