"Voices and sounds seem muffled," "I often have to ask people to repeat themselves because I can't hear well."
Have you ever faced difficulties due to hearing issues?
This time, we introduce the conversation support device, comuoon®︎, which makes "hearing clearly" possible just by placing it. We hope this article helps alleviate some of your concerns about hearing.
1. What is comuoon®︎, the device making clear hearing a norm for everyone?
1-1. Overview of comuoon®︎
comuoon®︎ is a conversation support device born from the idea of improving "hearing" from the speaker's side, rather than having those with hearing impairments wear hearing aids or make adjustments themselves.
Instead of simply amplifying sound, it enhances the clarity and resolution of sound input from a microphone, creating an environment where hearing is easier. Improvements in "hearing" have been observed in individuals with mild to moderate hearing impairments.
1-2. A new concept of "conversation support device" that doesn't require wearing
Traditionally, devices supporting those with hearing impairments were perceived as something the user wears, like a hearing aid. However, hearing aids often cannot address individual hearing loss symptoms, and even when worn, sounds may not be clear.
comuoon®︎ takes a new approach as a "conversation support device," working from the speaker's side to improve "hearing."
1-3. What is hearing frailty?
Hearing frailty refers to a decline in the ability to hear. A major characteristic of hearing frailty is that communication becomes difficult due to hearing loss, leading to misunderstandings about one's cognitive abilities.
Often, individuals do not realize their hearing is declining, and decreased social activity due to hearing loss can increase the risk of dementia or frailty.
Reference: "Hearing Frailty" by Universal Sound Design Co., Ltd.
If you feel your "hearing function might be declining," try the "Everyone's Hearing Brain Check" app. It not only allows you to check your hearing but also helps prevent hearing frailty.
Reference: "Everyone's Hearing Brain Check" by Universal Sound Design Co., Ltd.
1-4. Who benefits from this product?
comuoon®︎ is widely used in medical institutions, nursing homes, and households.
A woman with Guillain-Barré syndrome, who also has visual and auditory impairments, found that using comuoon®︎ during her university studies not only made attending classes easier but also enriched her daily life. She became a special education teacher after graduating.
Reference: "Individual Customer comuoon®︎ Case Study 37" by Universal Sound Design Co., Ltd.
A man who started using hearing aids at 75 noticed in his 80s that he struggled to hear the TV. Finding hearing aids cumbersome, he moved closer to the TV and increased the volume, only to be told by his family that it was too loud.
After using comuoon®︎, he could enjoy TV at normal volume with his family. He feels liberated from the frustration and isolation of not hearing well and sees comuoon®︎ as a savior.
Reference: "Individual Customer comuoon®︎ Case Study 30" by Universal Sound Design Co., Ltd.
2. The background of comuoon®︎'s development
The inventor of comuoon®︎, Mr. Shinjiro Nakatani, was told by a university professor that hearing-impaired individuals found the speakers he developed easy to hear.
This reminded him of his grandmother, who stopped responding to him and began eating alone when he spoke to her as a child.
"Surely, my grandmother wanted to communicate with her family. I want to help people like her."
With this thought, Mr. Nakatani founded the NPO Japan Universal Sound Design Association in December 2011 and began researching and developing comuoon®︎.
He incorporated feedback from hearing-impaired individuals into the development, leading to the creation of the current comuoon®︎.
3. Why is comuoon®︎ gaining attention?
Due to the impact of COVID-19, conversations through masks or acrylic panels have increased, creating more environments where hearing is difficult, not only for the hearing impaired.
In medical and public institutions, communication errors have increased due to acrylic panel installations.
Setting up comuoon®︎ can create a "hearing-friendly" environment for both hearing-impaired and hearing individuals.
The increase in situations where hearing is difficult has brought attention to comuoon®︎, known for its clear sound.
4. In conclusion
This article introduced comuoon®︎.
comuoon®︎ aims to create a world where no one struggles with hearing issues.
You can purchase it from the official online shop, so if you're interested, be sure to check out the site.
Reference: "comuoon®︎ ONLINE SHOP" by Universal Sound Design Co., Ltd.
