UPPER MARLBORO, MARYLAND — Quantum Senses announced that its new hearing product, EARCOUSTIC, has completed testing in the University of Maryland’s Hearing Technology Lab and has been approved by the Principal Investigator for grant submission.
The EARCOUSTIC headphones were created by Justin Lee, Founder and Chief Executive Director of Quantum Senses. Lee was inspired to develop the product for a friend, a Vietnam veteran, who struggled to hear the television at night without disturbing his wife.
An aerospace engineer by training, Lee sought to create an affordable alternative for individuals without insurance coverage—or with coverage that does not include the cost of hearing aids. The result was EARCOUSTIC: a lightweight, compact hearing amplifier for mild to moderate hearing loss that does not require electronics, batteries, or wires.
Launched in fall 2024, EARCOUSTIC recently underwent evaluation at the University of Maryland’s Hearing Technology Lab, which focuses on improving the benefit and use of hearing aids through the study of fitting and validation measures.
“EARCOUSTIC is a disruptive technology that can substantially improve the quality of life for those with mild to moderate hearing loss,” said Dr. Eric Hoover, Assistant Professor in the Department of Hearing and Speech Sciences at the University of Maryland and Principal Investigator for the lab.
“We have developed a grant submission to compare it to technologies that cost 100 times more and expect a similar benefit in a noisy environment like a restaurant.”
Lee noted that the product is not intended to replace hearing aids but to provide a cost-effective option for certain listening situations.
“Quantum Senses recognizes the importance of delivering a budget-friendly, non-electronic option for individuals facing hearing loss who may struggle to afford traditional devices,” Lee said. “The EARCOUSTIC headphones offer superior sound amplification at a price point of $19.99, making them accessible to those on fixed incomes. Our product is designed to complement, rather than replace traditional hearing aids and is ideal for watching television, attending church, participating in meetings, or enjoying a movie at home, work, theatres, concerts and more.”
KEMAR Testing and Performance Analysis
The EARCOUSTIC device was evaluated using KEMAR, a standardized acoustic mannequin used in hearing-related testing, to assess real-world hearing performance. Measurements were taken both with and without the device to compare results.
The lab applied community-accepted prediction formulas to convert raw decibel data into scores that mimic standard hearing tests conducted in real-world environments, such as noisy settings. This method allowed for a direct comparison of EARCOUSTIC’s performance with that of other hearing aids within a standardized framework.
By translating raw acoustic improvements into recognized hearing performance metrics, the testing provides hearing professionals with clear insights into the potential benefits and effectiveness of EARCOUSTIC.
About Quantum Senses
Founded in 2021, EARCOUSTIC became the first launched company product. Quantum Senses is dedicated to enhancing life and uniting communities through hearing. Our mission is to provide organic, innovative and affordable technology solutions to enhance holistic experiences through the five senses to improve the consumer’s quality of life.
Source: Quantum Senses
