Sony to Enter Hearables Market with Self-Fitting Hearing aids
With experts predicting hearing loss to continue to rise substantially in coming years, Sony is getting in on the exploding hearables market with its CREC10 Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids.
The virtually invisible, sleek and discreet design has been developed in conjunction with WS Audiology, one of the biggest hearing aid manufacturers in the world, with brands in its portfolio such as Signia, Rexton, and Widex. Sony is the third largest manufacturer of headphones, only behind Samsung and Apple, so it's no surprise to see the Japanese consumer electronics giant getting in early on the hearables market.
The tiny device relies on the commonly used Size 10 disposable batteries, reported by Sony to provide up to 70 hours of continuous use. It says the CREC10 offers "prescription-grade sound quality", and is tailored to your hearing response based on the accompanying app assessment.
The DIY approach with the CREC10 "over the counter" solution is suitable for those with "mild to moderate hearing loss". Once set up with the Sony Hearing control app, the CREC10 cleverly "analyses and optimises sounds based on your environment", the company says.
Users are guided step-by-step through the process with a series of questions to have their device up and running in minutes.
Meanwhile, a second model, the slightly larger CRE-E10, features a rechargeable battery, wireless charging, a reported up to 26 hours of continuous use, and Bluetooth connectivity for iOS users.
Sony's entry into the hearables market will compete with products such as Signia's own Active and Active Pro products which the company says "bridges the gap between hearing aids and consumer electronics". Currently Signia's products are only available via authorised hearing aid dispensers and audiologists, with prices starting at more than $1,500/pair.
They are available in the US market for pre-order now, with the CRE-C10 selling for $999.99 USD and the CRE-E10 for $1,299.99 USD.
For more information visit Sony
Marc Rushton
StereoNET’s Founder and Publisher was born in England and raised on British Hi-Fi before moving to Australia. He developed an early love of music and playing bass guitar before discovering the studio and the other side of the mixing desk. After writing for print magazines, Marc saw the future in digital publishing and founded the first version of StereoNET in 1999.
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