Appeal of Headphones Could Help World’s Hard of Hearing, New Futuresource Hearables Research States

Futuresource Consulting announced the forthcoming availability of the new 'Worldwide Hearables Report'. According to the company's research, the growing appeal of aftermarket headphones is opening up the new ‘hearables’ sub-segment, catering for those with hearing loss and alleviating much of the expense and stigma attached to hearing aids. Amid these market developments, Futuresource will carry out in-depth original research to explore the enabling technologies, the underlying consumer attitudes, motivations and the size of the hearables opportunity.

ZVOX Audio announced the availability of its VoiceBud V20, the company's first-ever personal audio device. As the company believes the category will be booming in the next 18 months as more companies enter the over-the-counter (OTC) personal sound amplification product business, ZVOX designed a very affordable ($299) device equipped with dual-microphone NoiseBlocker technology and smartphone app control using high-performance American-made electronics components.

The U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) allowed marketing of a new device, the Bose Hearing Aid, intended to amplify sounds for individuals 18 years or older with perceived mild to moderate hearing impairment (hearing loss). This is the first hearing aid authorized for marketing by the FDA that enables users to fit, program and control the hearing aid on their own, without assistance from a health care provider.