Sound ID Rolls Out Sound Enhancing Headsets

By John Laposky On Nov 6 2006 - 8:00am

Sound ID, a company that specialized primarily in medical hearing-aid products, has expanded its initial entry into the CE market, adding two new models to its high-end Personal Sound System (PSS) product line of Bluetooth headsets.

The headsets combine Bluetooth and proprietary noise compensation technologies, sound processing algorithms, techniques that improve signal-to-noise ratio and other audio science to deliver state-of-the-art personal sound, the company said.

The new PSS-SoundFlavors and PSS-SoundMate eliminate background and wind noise through the use of Sound ID's proprietary technologies — Adaptive Noise Compensation (ANC), Voice Capture and Wind Noise Managements. They include a Bluetooth-enabled EarModule and a dual charging base, which will also accommodate an optional Bluetooth-enabled CompanionLink microphone.

"Like traditional headsets, our products provide wire-free connectivity, but we go even further — addressing individual hearing needs," said Mike Jones, Sound ID president/CEO. "Bridging the communication and medical worlds, PSS-SoundFlavors and PSS-SoundMate deliver sound personalized to your individual hearing preference to everyday communications."

The SoundFlavors model optimizes sound for each user's hearing preferences through three self-adjustable "sound flavor" profiles: mild sound enhancement, mild to moderate sound enhancement and moderate sound enhancement.

SoundFlavors operates in four modes: Amplification, offering enhancement of sounds using the user's pre-configured profile; Phone mode, which amplifies on-the-go conversations when paired with a Bluetooth-enabled handset; CompanionLink mode, in which the microphone is worn on a partner's lapel or placed on a table to improve one-on-one and group discussions in noisy backgrounds; and One2One mode, in which users pair two EarModules to improve one-to-one speech intelligibility in adverse listening environments.

Soundflavors retails for $650.

A more affordable option is the PSS-SoundMate which offers wire-free connectivity and sound enhancement in Phone mode, CompanionLink mode and One2One mode. It retails for $250.