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In the middle of this year, the FDA authorized the sale of hearing assistance devices over the counter, aiming to enhance accessibility for individuals with hearing impairments. Sony partnered with WS Audiology, a specialized company in this field, to produce these hearing aids. The initial offerings, the CRE-C10 and CRE-E10, are priced at $1,000 and $1,300 respectively.Sony indicates that these devices target customers with mild to moderate hearing loss. Users can manage them by installing the Hearing Control app, which provides step-by-step instructions for tailoring the hearing aids to individual needs. Alternatively, users can utilize the self-fit function to select from pre-existing profiles. According to Sony, these profiles are based on thousands of real-world test results.
Sony advertises the CRE-C10 as the smallest on the current hearing aid market, boasting excellent sound quality and up to 70 hours of continuous battery life. The product is now available for $1,000 on Amazon, Best Buy, and select patient support facilities.
The remaining model, CRE-E10, resembles other wireless earbuds on the market, offering up to 26 hours of playtime on a single charge. It features Bluetooth connectivity, allowing users to listen to music directly. However, initial compatibility is limited to iOS. The product is set to launch by the end of this year for $1,300 on Sony's website.Thanks to the FDA's approval, the hearing aid market has attracted many familiar audio manufacturers. Last year, Bose and Lexio introduced the SoundControl line of hearing aids, unveiling the B1 model priced at $900 a few days ago. Jabra has also entered this market. Sonova, a specialist in hearing aids, acquired Sennheiser's consumer headphone division last year, likely preparing for new hearing aid models in the near future.
