Comfort Audio, with an international reputation for leadership in ALDs, opens US office and launches two highly innovative products.
Los Angeles - January 11, 2008 - Comfort Audio, recognized since 1994 as a highly innovative international leader in Assistive Listening Devices and Systems has opened a sales and marketing office in the US.
In the US, the great majority of those who are suffering from hearing loss are currently not using any devices to satisfactory resolve their impairment. The reasons for this are multiple. Hearing Aids are often expensive. Some find Hearing Aids uncomfortable or do not solve their problems. Too many consider wearing hearing aids unacceptable, as the stigma for the wearer is often worse than the cure.
Three Visionary Design Principles
Comfort Audio takes aim at all those issues and designs and markets products with great appeal. "Our success so far in Europe and other international markets is based on three fundamental design philosophies: Uncompromised technology and sound quality. Sophisticated style and attractive designs. Affordability and products priced at different buyers." says Ragnar Ahgren, CEO of Comfort Audio, an industry veteran.
We Only Make ALDs
Comfort Audio only develops Assistive Listening Devices and Systems. "By not competing with Hearing Aid makers, but rather developing products that either are a compliment to hearing aids, or a substitute for patients not yet ready for them, we see our products as an easy to sell, easy to service, compliment to the products offered by Dispensers today", continues Mr. Ahgren.
Two Innovative Products Now Available
A concrete example where Comfort Audio's design vision of technology leadership is evident is Comfort Contego™, a High Definition digital wireless FM system. The HD sound is crisp and clear and the distinctive look and feel of the small units with easy to read digital screens, make the device something to show off, not try to hide. The Contego units have built-in microphones that are adjustable for maximum customization of sound with omni-directional or directional sound based on conditions. The volume setting for the transmitter can be remotely adjusted from the receiver. To top it off, the Contego sends its signals encrypted to prevent electronic eavesdropping, an industry first. It has quickly become popular with lawyers and business professionals. Even courts find the Comfort Contego an indispensible tool.
Comfort Duett™, a small affordable personal amplifier, resembles more a stylish MP3 player than a medical device. In addition to the strong - up to 60dB amplification - and superb sound quality, the Duett is able to be integrated into home audio equipment such as TV, music and a standard telephone.
Shake and Rock & Roll
Comfort Audio is currently hard at work with additional products. "We cannot tell the market yet, but when we are ready, we know we will set the marketplace abuzz!" says an excited and confident Ragnar Ahgren. "We didn't come to the US to be an also-ran," he continues, "we want to do some shakin' and rock & roll."
This brings us to the secret behind Comfort Audio's success: Lifestyle and Consumer Orientation. In Europe early on, Comfort Audio often found Audiologists and our industry servicing mostly those with the most acute needs. That meant typically the very old. People who are thought of and catered to as patients. This in turn may have contributed to the stigma often associated hearing loss and wearing devices.
Our customers - not patients - are young people. And those young at heart. 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.
Unsolicited Testimonial
"I recently purchased the Comfort Contego for my 95 year old mother-in-law. She has purchased three different expensive sets of hearing aids plus had dozens of visits to audiologists and ENT physicians over the past 3 years with no real benefit to her profound hearing loss (estimated to be nearly 90%). I gave your product to her on 1/9/08 and she was immediately able to hear normal conversations without any difficulty. She was able to attend a weekly lecture at her independent living facility on 1/10/08 and hear every word--for the first time in over 2 years. In addition, she can now hear and converse with others in the dining room of her residence for the first time in over 2 years. Many other hearing impaired residents at The Trillium/Dublin, Ohio were amazed at benefits my mother-in-law's hearing improvement and were interested in how they could get more information about the product for their own use. I have printed copies of your brochure so that my mother-in-law can give them to interested residents. I strongly urge you to find a way to advertise to this group of elders which are often much better served with a product like your Comfort Contego than with marginally effective hearing aids. I know an RN who serves elders in independent living and assisted living facilities in central Ohio who could act as a sales representative if you are considering that marketing channel. I am most disappointed that ENT physicians and audiologists did not suggest this product previously. I was able to find your incredible product only after hours of sifting through many internet sites.
---- Philip E. Eggers
About Comfort Audio
Comfort Audio is headquartered in southern Sweden in a medical device rich region, "Medicon Valley", which also is the home of many Danish audiological firms. We have for some 15 years built our reputation on technology leadership, attractive designs and by focusing solely on Assistive Devices and Systems.
Outside of North America Comfort Audio also offers products and systems for use at work, schools and at public places.
Comfort Audio Inc. a wholly owned US subsidiary, was incorporated in 2006 and will serve the company's sales, service and marketing needs for North America. Comfort Audio's products are distributed in the US and Canada by quality distributors reaching different segments, retailers and dispensers that serve the hard of hearing.
For more information, visit www.comfortaudio.us
