The market for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing devices is new and rapidly changing. Sadly, few of today’s current offerings hit the sweet-spot of features, form factor and price to appeal to a mild-to-moderate hearing loss consumer. Still, I remain optimistic that manufacturers will rise to the challenge of this new market, bringing better hearing at a reasonable price to millions of people. In this article for Hearing Tracker, I share my formula for a successful OTC hearing device.
An excerpt from the article is below. Read the full post at Hearing Tracker.
My Recipe for a Successful OTC Hearing Aid
Distinct products may appeal to different segments of the consumer base, but there are a few must-haves.
1. Devices must look modern
These cannot be the big beige plastic hearing aids that have been used in much of the media imagery surrounding OTC hearing aids. The actual devices must be streamlined, modern and sleek. A variety of styles can work—behind the ear, in the ear, or big and bold sticking out of the ear like earbuds—but most importantly, the devices’ outward appearances should match the efficient and powerful electronics inside.
2. Streaming capability is a must
Without Bluetooth streaming, OTC hearing aids are doomed to fail, especially in the situational user segment. Many mild-to-moderate hearing loss consumers are already using Bluetooth connections with other consumer electronic devices to make phone calls, stream media and listen to music. They will demand this capability in any new device.
For the complete list, continue reading on Hearing Tracker.
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