January 21, 2008

Comfort Audio reports it is looking to overcome the sales obstacles typically associated with hearing aids by designing and marketing products with "great appeal."

“Our success so far in Europe and other international markets is based on three fundamental design philosophies," says Ragnar Ahgren, chief executive officer of Comfort Audio, an industry veteran.  "Uncompromised technology and sound quality; sophisticated style and attractive designs; affordability and products priced at different buyers.”

Comfort Audio only develops Assistive Listening Devices and Systems. Ahgren states that by not competing with hearing aid makers, but rather developing products that are a compliment to hearing aids, or a substitute for patients not yet ready for them, the company better positions its products. "They’re easy to sell, easy to service, compliment to the products offered by dispensers today," Ahgren says.

One of the two new products Comfort Audio will roll out as its US office opens is the Comfort Contego™, a high definition (HD) digital wireless FM system. The HD sound, the company states, is crisp and clear and the look and feel of the small units digital screens is designed for an easy read. The Contego units have built-in microphones that can be adjustable to customize sound with omni-directional or directional sound, based on conditions. The volume setting for the transmitter can be remotely adjusted from the receiver.

Contego was also engineered to send its signals encrypted to prevent electronic eavesdropping, a feature the company reports is an industry first.

Comfort Duett™, a small personal amplifier, was designed to resemble a stylish MP3 player. In addition to up to 60dB of amplification, the Duett is designed to integrate into home audio equipment such as a television and a standard telephone.

Comfort Audio reports it also has additional products in development.  “We cannot tell the market yet, but when we are ready, we know we will set the marketplace abuzz!” Ahgren says.  “We didn’t come to the US to be an also-ran,” he continues, “we want to do some shakin’ and rock & roll.” 

A news release from Comfort Audio described its patients as, "Young people and those young at heart." The release continued: "Our products can easily be mistaken for the now so ubiquitous MP3 players or cool cell phones.  Like Apple, whose designs we greatly admire, we make every effort to make our visual and tactile design desirable, something to show off, not hide. The Audiologists that recognize the value of offering an affordable and attractive solution to those not yet ready for hearing aids will have established a bond with a future hearing aid customer.

Source: Comfort Audio