Hearables to Aid and Improve Audio Communications in the Workplace

The enterprise market, led by the government, military, and retail verticals, is also beginning to turn to hearables to foster better communication, collaboration, and workforce productivity. Market research from ABI Research forecasts enterprise hearable shipments will top one million in 2021, increasing from just 30,000 in 2016, at a CAGR of more than 108%.

GN Audio – the owner of Jabra – announced that it has acquired VXi Corp., the headset manufacturer of both the VXi and BlueParrott brands. Jabra is a brand of the global GN Group and market leader in its segment of audio solutions. The GN Group is made up of GN Hearing with the flagship hearing aid brand ReSound and GN Audio with the flagship brand Jabra, and now also includes the VXi and BlueParrott brands.

Danish hearing loss specialists, ReSound introduced the latest model of its award-winning ReSound LiNX2 Smart Hearing family: the world’s only mini behind-the-ear (BTE) model to feature Made for iPhone, featuring telecoil capabilities. ReSound LiNX2 is the world’s first internet-connected hearing aid, connecting to the Internet to locate misplaced hearing aids and is now available with even more options for users.

True wireless earbuds or hearables seem to be the focus for most of the audio brands in the consumer electronics industry. Given the technology convergence with audiology and communication solutions in this area, we shouldn’t be surprised to see announcements from company leaders in those segments as well. Now, at IFA 2016, Jabra launched its first true wireless earbuds under its new Elite franchise with the promise of superior sound, strong battery life, and advanced personalized fitness analysis.

And we’re off! Apple started shipping its Apple Watch device to a few lucky million who pre-ordered online. Many of those first-owners are in fact developers who needed to actually have a Watch to test their application ideas. Surprisingly, Apple reached 3,500 available Apple Watch apps on day 1. As expected, some are music and audio oriented.

Audiology specialist ReSound introduced its new ReSound LiNX2 Made for iPhone hearing aids, setting a new benchmark in Smart Hearing solutions. The new solution combines direct streaming from iOS devices, direct control and personalization with the Resound Smart App and new Spatial Sense processing technology with enormous social benefits.