Trenton, NJ (January 23, 2022) – Governor Christine Todd Whitman today recognized Songbird Hearing Inc., manufacturer of the world’s first disposable hearing aid, as one of the state’s premier technology companies in her address to the New Jersey Assembly.
Governor Whitman, who is awaiting Senate confirmation to become administrator of the federal Environmental Protection Agency, selected Songbird Hearing Inc., a privately held company based in Cranbury, from among the state’s many high-tech companies.
“It’s a fact that years of exposure to high levels of noise pollution have left many with hearing loss,” says Governor Whitman. “The Songbird can help. Songbird Hearing Inc. is helping New Jersey stay on the technology fast track to develop new and exciting medical breakthroughs.”
“Songbird Hearing Inc. is proud to be recognized by Governor Whitman” said Frederick J. Fritz, Songbird Hearing Inc.’s President and CEO, who was present at today’s session. “Our product is designed to meet the unique needs of millions of Americans, particularly baby boomers, who have mild-to-moderate hearing loss resulting from life-long exposure to decibel-blasting music and other forms of noise pollution.”
Fritz noted that Americans between the ages of 45 and 64 historically have been reluctant to seek treatment for hearing loss.
“We can now offer this population a hearing aid that is designed to be convenient, virtually invisible in the ear, extremely comfortable, and very affordable,” said Fritz. “But, even more important,” he added, “it offers sound quality comparable to the very best in the industry.”
Earlier this year, the New Jersey Technology Council named Songbird Hearing Inc. Consumer Technology Company of the Year.
Fritz explained that each Songbird Disposable Hearing Aid will cost $39 (professional fees not included) and delivers a full 40 days of life when used 12 hours per day. This price point removes what has been a big hurdle for many consumers to try a hearing aid – the high cost. Traditional hearing aids cost about $1,000, with some of the newer models costing as much as $3,500.
Because the device is discarded when the battery runs out, consumers no longer have to be concerned about battery replacements or repairs. The elimination of a battery door provides room for a microphone that is seven times larger than typical hearing aid microphones, creating high-fidelity sound in a hearing aid sized to fit discreetly in the ear.
Unlike ordinary hearing aids, Songbird can be fit in just one visit to a hearing professional and is available in a variety of pre-set acoustical formats to fit the specific needs of each wearer. Songbird also features automatic volume control, allowing people to avoid the need to make frequent volume adjustments.
Fritz added that the new Songbird Disposable Hearing Aid is only available through licensed hearing professionals.