Sony Cooperates with WSA to Develop Hearing Aid Devices

Sony will enter the hearing aid business. (photo: doc. pixabay)

JAKARTA - The decision from the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to allow over-the-counter sales of hearing aids is expected to make these devices easier to obtain and more affordable for consumers.

Now one of the most influential technology companies, Sony, has also confirmed plans to enter the OTC hearing aid market in the United States. Its first product is already under development.

According to a press release issued Tuesday, September 13, Sony has entered into a partnership with WS Audiology Denmark to jointly develop a hearing aid device.

"Sony and WSA will combine their respective technological and medical expertise to create solutions that will shape this new field," the company said. The WS Audiology website also says the company sells 5.5 million hearing aids every year.

“To this end, this partnership will leverage Sony's long-standing audio and product miniaturization technologies, its brands, and the broad consumer service and sales infrastructure that manages the product range, together with hearing aid technology and WSA's innovative power and distribution strength across the globe. professional channel, which has been at the forefront of providing better solutions to help people with hearing loss for more than 100 years,” the company said.

Sony and WSA have a goal of creating OTC hearing aids that can be used more naturally and comfortably. They also offer easy-to-use features, which personalize hearing aids.

The FDA's decision went into effect in October, and Sony said more details about its first product would be shared more closely ahead of its launch. The company has not disclosed when that will happen. But the announcement itself is proof that the tech brand is wasting little time trying to establish a presence in the OTC hearing aid market.

Several headphone makers, including Jabra and Eargo, are already selling hearing aids. Traditional consumer technology players like Bose have also dabbled in this area, though Bose ended up breaking up a partnership not unlike Sony that put its brand on hearing aids manufactured by companies that are more skilled in the field.