—Hearing loss is a global and growing problem. The prevalence of hearing impairment doubled between 1965 and 1994. By the year 2015, 700 million individuals worldwide are expected to suffer hearing loss of more than 25dB, a level that renders typical conversation difficult to hear. Research indicates fewer than 20% of the hearing-impaired use a hearing device, and as many as 40% of those users report dissatisfaction with their device. The market demands a technology like Clarujust™ to improve the performance of tunable hearing devices.
—The aging population creates a naturally expanding customer base. Estimates place hearing loss in the range of 10% of the general population. When subjects over age 60 are considered, that figure approaches 25%. Medical advances have improved both quantity of life (age) and quality of life. An aging baby boomer population is likely to take advantage of medical technology that improves degraded hearing and restores quality of life. As hearing technology improves, many of the current hearing device stigmas, such as vanity and poor performance, will fade.
—Hearing impairment is a serious social issue—from children suffering profound hearing loss to an aging population eager to maximize quality of life. Clarujust™ technology has the potential to provide real improvements in the lives of a vast portion of the population.
—Manufacturers of tunable hearing devices exist in a highly competitive marketplace. Clarujust™ technology offers a significant competitive advantage—enhancing device performance while requiring no modification of the device itself. All three manufacturers of cochlear implants have already shown interest in this technology.
—With a large market potential, an ever-expanding customer base and limited development costs, the ROI potential for Audigence™ is significant. The performance improvements of Clarujust™-enhanced hearing devices could translate to substantially greater market penetration.
