At least 28 million Americans suffer from some type of hearing loss. But only 5.5 million of those affected own hearing aids. Of those, nearly one million don’t wear them.

This level of market penetration is extremely low and, over the last 15 years, has continually dropped despite significant advancements in technology and cosmetic appearance of today's hearing aid.

Declining Market Penetration Rates %

With the Songbird Disposable Hearing Aid, practitioners will be able to provide high-quality care to a much broader patient base.

 

Reversing the Perception of Hearing Aids

There are several well-documented factors causing hearing impairment to be the world’s single-most underserved medical market.

First is the consumer perception of hearing aids. Many view hearing aids as devices for the elderly and infirm. Few people, especially among today’s aging baby boomers, want to be classified in that category. And despite advancing technology, many still assume hearing aids are big, ugly, typically ineffective devices that are inconvenient to use but very expensive.

Fact: hearing aid prices have risen 25% in the last two years.The next factor is both industry- and product-related. Current manufacturers generally have taken a convergent strategy, concentrating more on advanced circuitry placed in smaller devices and selling them for higher prices to people who already wear hearing aids. With this trade-up mentality, the industry seems to have given up on attracting the non-users.

Today’s usage of hearing aids trends older…

Songbird, however, is targeting a younger, more active consumer with emphasis on the 45- to 65-year-old age group. In fact, consumers between 45 and 54 represent the largest group ever with hearing loss: 5.5 million people.

Hearing Aid Usage Also Trends Toward More Severe Losses

 

Songbird sees its target as different from today’s industry. The company concentrates on products designed to attract non-users with mild and moderate hearing loss – the major share of the untapped market. This represents a net gain to the practitioners who fit Songbird products, giving access to patients who until now would not consider wearing a hearing aid.

 

Delivering What the Non-User Wants

Songbird extensively researched the needs of hearing-impaired non-users, resulting in an understanding of what this group demands from a hearing device:

• Outstanding sound quality
• Discreet appearance
• Ease of access, use, and ongoing care
• Comfort that allows prolonged usage
• Substantial value for their money

Revolutionary Songbird Disposable Technology allows hearing professionals to deliver on all these needs for the first time.

Songbird extensively tested the disposable hearing aid both in clinic and through in-home patient usage.

Despite advancements in technology, hearing aid market penetration has declined steadily for the last 15 years. Here’s your opportunity to reverse that trend.

Songbird Hearing Inc., a new company based near Princeton, New Jersey, presents the world’s first disposable hearing aid.