Japan has a significantly low rate of hearing aid use, Japan has a significantly low rate of hearing aid use, partly due to the high cost of hearing aids due to thin subsidies New hearing support bone-conduction sound collector, listening test sessions on April 20 and 21

The new Vibone nezu 3 crowdfunding product has raised over 26 million yen

2024.04.09 10:30

ソリッドソニック株式会社

Solid Sonic Inc. (Head office: Kobe City, Hyogo Prefecture; President: Takahiro Kubo) has developed a bone-conduction sound collector, "Vibone nezu 3," as a new means of sound transmission to address the problem of hearing loss in Japan. The crowdfunding campaign has already raised more than 26 million yen. A listening experience event for this new product will be held in Osaka on April 20 and 21, 2024.

For product details, please visit: https://kibidango.com/2483

(Solid Sonic Inc. HP)

Wearing image 1

One in nine people in Japan is hearing impaired.

According to a survey by the Japan Hearing Aid Manufacturers Association, there are 14.3 million hearing-impaired people in Japan. This is one in nine of Japan's population. The hearing impaired are unable to receive information about their surroundings, such as the sounds of daily life, making it difficult for them to respond to emergencies such as accidents and disasters. Communication is also difficult due to the inability to hear. It is often difficult to tell from the outside, which can lead to misunderstandings and mental anguish.

Hearing aids and sound collectors are commonly used to improve hearing, but the use of hearing aids in Japan is lower than in Western countries, at 15.2%. However, the use of hearing aids is low in Japan compared to Europe and the United States, at 15.2%.

*Reference: http://www.hochouki.com/files/JAPAN_Trak_2022_report.pdf

I can hear! Tears of emotion at a hands-on experience with a bone-conduction sound collector].

In order to improve these problems, we developed the "Vibone nezu 3" as an inexpensive, high-performance bone-conduction sound collector for both ears. A bone-conduction sound collector is a hearing support device that delivers sound through vibration, and is priced at 83,200 yen (including shipping and tax). It is in the form of a neckband wireless earphone and weighs only about 80 grams. It also has a function to remove unwanted sounds in the surrounding area and a function to adjust the sound quality for easier listening.

At the listening experience sessions, which are being held sequentially throughout Japan, you can actually experience the sound transmitted by vibration. Some of the participants, who are totally deaf, have heard the sound for the first time in their lives. I was worried at first, but when I actually put them on, I was surprised at how well I could hear. (I was just thrilled to hear a live voice for the first time in more than 30 years! I was so moved to see my daughter's happy face when she heard it for the first time! (a woman in her 30s).

Past Listening Session in Nagoya

Writing by a participant (Nagoya)

Video of Sapporo listening session: https://youtu.be/xZbi1CLHJlY

Video of Sendai listening session: https://youtube.com/shorts/iqwfuzYPPfo

Toward the realization of a society where hearing handicaps do not exist

This product was actually developed as a result of a business succession, and took about 15 years in total to complete. Although we started with the support of Kobe City, the development of this product was difficult and at one point the continuation of the business itself was in jeopardy. However, when we saw the prototype in tears when it was used for the first time and sound was heard for the first time, we were determined to complete the project, so we continued to make improvements until now. Since the first prototype, we have sold approximately 1,400 units. Currently, we are crowdfunding and have already raised over 25 million yen.

The developer (representative) comments, "Thanks to your support, the third model has evolved to the point where people can enjoy not only conversation, but also music and movies in general. We would like to contribute to more people's hearing with the idea of 'creating a society where there are no handicaps related to hearing'.

<Outline of crowdfunding

Website: Kibidango

Period: January 13, 2024 - May 8, 2024

URL: https://kibidango.com/2483