Q: I have hearing aids and I have to turn down the remote when TV commercials come on. I thought there was a federal law against raising the volume on commercials.
—Max Neese, Atlanta
A: The Federal Communications Commission's Commercial Advertisement Loudness Mitigation (CALM) Act has been in effect since December 2011.
It states that TV commercials must have the same average volume as the programs they accompany.
“Because average volume is the rule, be aware that some commercials with louder and quieter moments may still seem ‘too loud’ to some viewers, but are still in compliance,” the FCC states on its website (fcc.gov).
The FCC relies on viewers to file complaints.
To register a complaint, go to consumercomplaints.fcc.gov and click on “Common Issues” in the TV box.
Click on “Loud Commercials” and then click the box labeled “File a Complaint.”
To file a complaint by phone, call 888-225-5322.
You can also mail your complaint to:
Federal Communications Commission, Consumer and Governmental Affairs Bureau, Consumer Inquiries and Complaints Division, 445 12th Street, SW, Washington, DC 20554
Q: I read in an article about the atomic bomb being dropped on Hiroshima in August 6, 1944. I’ve also read articles that said the bomb was dropped in 1945. Which is correct?
—James White, Acworth
A: An atomic bomb was dropped on Hiroshima on Aug. 6, 1945.
Another atomic bomb was dropped on the Japanese city of Nagasaki on Aug. 9, 1945.
Andy Johnston with Fast Copy News Service wrote this column. Do you have a question? We’ll try to get the answer. Call 404-222-2002 or email q&a@ajc.com (include name, phone and city).
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