The purpose of the rules and regulations in this part is to provide for uniform standards for the protection of the telephone network from harms caused by the connection of terminal equipment and associated wiring thereto, and for the compatibility of hearing aids and telephones so as to ensure that persons with hearing aids have reasonable access to the telephone network. (47 U.S.C. 151, 154(i), 154(j), 201-205, 218, 220, 313, 403, 412, and 5 U.S.C. 553) [49 FR 21733, May 23, 1984]