exsilent glossy
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ExSilent GlossyTRANSCRIPT
Dear Business partner,
Looking back at the year 2009, it is safe to say that this has been an
excellent year for ExSilent. By strongly expanding our customer base to
over twenty countries, introducing new products, opening our US office
and (again) more than doubling the size of the staff in our new Amsterdam
office - this year has been far from boring!
With all these new partners and colleagues it’s a privilege and a pleasure
to move forward towards an exciting period. The continuous expansion
of ExSilent’s innovation and R&D programmes will lead to multiple new
product launches at both AAA in April, and EUHA in October 2010.
A new and extensive line of marketing materials will accompany all these
new products.
All these products and support materials are intended to support you to
tap into the (on average) 75% of the hearing impaired population that
is currently unserved by our industry. The ExSilent Q, with a first buyer
audience in their late 50’s, has helped us indicate the path to reaching those
new age groups.
Together with you we hope to attract even more younger customers with a
combination of innovative design, appealing marketing and strong service.
We look forward to let them hear with you!
Yours sincerely,
Mark J.A. Kaal
Managing Director
ExSilent BV
President & CEO ExSilent USA
ExSilent | 3
4 | ExSilent
ExSilent | 5
IndexPrologue 3
History 6
Our philosophy 8
Our products 12
Q products 14
Qleaf products 16
Consumer products 18
Qstyle 20
Qprotect 22
The aspects of a solid partnership 24
ExSilentfounded
Startingof the wirelessproject
DutchDesignAwardsnomination
Introductionof ExSilentin selectedcountries andmarket research
Full launchof the ExSilent Q
Opening ofExSilent USA
ISO 13485 certi�cation
ExSilent exports to25 countriesaround the world and more are to be addedduring 2010
6 | ExSilent
Founded in 2005, ExSilent is a young
and dynamic company. We already
achieved some remarkable milestones
and established our name early on in
the hearing healthcare industry.
Back in 2005, the company started off in
Amsterdam as a design company with the
emphasis on developing modular invisible hearing
aids. ExSilent was supported by a venture capital
company right from the very beginning, and
therefore ExSilent had the capability to think out
of the box with this project.
During 2006, ExSilent started its wireless project
and was sourcing technology partners, which were
found in the Technical University in Delft and TNO,
a well known Dutch research organization.
After the fi rst fi eld tests with the Q modular CIC
hearing aid, ExSilent was nominated for the Dutch
Design Award and explored the options of the
product launch. One of the aspects of this fi eld
test i.e. was to gain more insight in the infl uence of
humidity on the device. This particular fi eldtest was
undertaken in the Caribbean.
Early 2008, ExSilent increasingly recognized
the potential of the Q, and step-by-step we began
introducing the company and the Q in selected
countries. Market research at local level was
executed in Asia and Latin America,
The history of ExSilent so far.
ExSilentfounded
Startingof the wirelessproject
DutchDesignAwardsnomination
Introductionof ExSilentin selectedcountries andmarket research
Full launchof the ExSilent Q
Opening ofExSilent USA
ISO 13485 certi�cation
ExSilent exports to25 countriesaround the world and more are to be addedduring 2010
ExSilent | 7
whereas business relationships started to come
alive in Europe.
After collecting and analyzing all the retrieved
market data, ExSilent prepared itself for a full launch
of the Q in 2009, which meant participating in major
events like the AudiologyNow! conference in the
USA and the IFOS congress in Sao Paulo, Brasil.
The success of these participations has led to an
ExSilent subsidiary in the USA, which is already in full
operation from it Plymouth, Minnesota base.
In the meanwhile ISO 13485 certifi cation was
achieved, and the R&D team doubled in manpower
to secure future product development.
By the end of 2009 ExSilent exported to 25 countries
around the globe, with more countries to be added
during the fi rst half of 2010. The company has also
evolved productwise by introducing the Qstyle, our
in-ear headphones and fi rst consumer product, and
the Qleaf, a 30% smaller version of the current Q
hearing aid.
The history of ExSilent so far.
8 | ExSilent
Our philo sophy
We like to see ourselves as an
innovative company, built on
experienced professionals.
As a young & independent R&D
company, we design next generation
hearing aids and audio applications.
We’ve brought together a world of knowledge, with
backgrounds in design, software-development,
audio-engineering, hearing aids and so much more.
Our aim is to help solve some of the notorious
problems of hearing aids in general and CIC’s in
particular. After starting small, we are now rapidly
expanding in partnerships and globalization.
Not only do we constantly improve our existing
designs; we make every eff ort to present you with
the latest technologies and newest applications.
Due to our in-house knowledge and cooperation
with hands-on Academics, more and more major
companies decide to rely on ExSilent’s products,
service and technical support.
“We work together with strategic partners in the hearing aid industry, the Academic world andnumerous specialists worldwide”
As more and more young people become hearing
impaired, we felt we had to consider their needs in
our new designs.
We have therefore developed a total new approach
to the younger hearing-impaired person. For the
majority this younger group is reluctant to purchase
hearing aids of any kind, and chooses to live
with their occasional problem until it becomes a
signifi cant issue throughout their daily live.
These younger persons will be served now by a
range of multifunctional consumer products, which
will become available not only at retail stores and
many more places, but also through the internet.
ExSilent | 9
Our philo sophy
All of these consumer products are based on
amplification, multifunctionality and a modern and
attractive design.
The above mentioned products cannot but lead to
the increasing awareness that a significant part of
day-to-day communication is simply missing. This
can be solved by fitting one of ExSilent’s medical
products like the Q or Qleaf, world’s smallest
modular CIC hearing aids.
Future Outlook
The changes in the hearing healthcare industry,
combined with the untapped market of people
with hearing problems in certain specific sound
environments, lead to the current solutions.
In addition, we have several more innovative
products in the pipeline! ExSilent is developing the
hearing instruments of tomorrow in order to fulfill
the needs of the problems mentioned above.
These creative solutions either cover, but are not
limited to, the issues of better speech enhancement
in noise, or the wireless connectivity to external
electronic devices.
Together with our industrial and technological
partners, we also strive to develop new algorithms
and functional designed devices to create more
acceptance with the general public.
“A hearing aid should not look like a hearing aid”
Based on our belief: “a hearing aid should not look
like a hearing aid” and “a hearing aid should do more
then just amplify”, our way forward will be in this
direction. We are convinced to be able to offer you
the future of communication! We look forward to the
future, as we are confident ExSilent will remain the
leading company when it comes to next generation
technology and design. We will never cease to create
and innovate.
10 | ExSilent
We look forward to hearing with you.
ExSilent | 11
With the continuing determination, passion and focus of the people at ExSilent, we
strive to turn our philosophy into innovative products. These products can be divided
in medical devices on the one hand and consumer products on the other hand.
12 | ExSilent
Our products
ExSilent | 13
Hearing aids in common are recognized as medical
devices, whereas consumer products typically
can be bought outside of the audiology clinics or
hearing aid centers.
Following our ideas about innovative and
fashionable hearing aids, ExSilent carries nowadays
two product lines, the Q modular CIC and the Qleaf,
also a modular CIC but approximately 30% smaller
in size. With both of these products we predict that
physical placement should be possible in 85% of all
external ear canals of human beings.
With the differentiation of technology into two
sound-processing strategies, it is possible to
rehabilitate the majority of all sensoneural hearing
losses. Either using the commonly used WDRC
algorithm or the novel NeuroCompensator®
algorithm, the result of these fittings should always
lead to a satisfaction of the end-user which simply
exceeds the expectations.
“With both of these products we predict that physical placement should be possible in 85% of all external ear canals of human beings.”
Our other product line does consist of “over the
counter” products, either sold by an audiology clinic
or hearing aid center as assistive listening devices
or accessories, or by retail companies of all kind
as additional products to their existing product
portfolio.
These consumer products will consist of a line of
stylish add-ons and can also be used as standalone
products. All of these products are developed
or being developed with the common idea of
improving the quality of the personal daily sound
experience.
Through innovation ExSilent enhances the ease of
use when it comes to amplification, sound quality,
hearing protection and wireless connectivity in
many different ways.
The next pages will give you a more in-depth
overview of existing and future products.
Our ‘Q’ products
14 | ExSilent
We proudly present you the Q,
world’s smallest standard fi tted CIC
hearing aid. The ExSilent Q is a new
type of CIC (Completely In the Canal)
hearing aid. It fi ts perfectly in your ear,
becoming virtually invisible.
The Q is one of world’s most innovative CIC’s
available. The modular design of the Q makes it
unnecessary to make any ear impressions or custom
designed earpieces. Instead, the Q is inserted in the
ear with a patented soft tip: a highly fl exible hypo
allergenic soft tip that comes in various sizes, thus
enabling the Q to fi t in practically all ears, on the spot.
The same soft tips come with an innovative built-in
cerumen protection system, making it impossible
for cerumen to penetrate and damage the receiver.
Cerumen entering the Q is collected in the soft tip,
which can easily be cleaned or disposed of and
replaced. No sophisticated fi lter systems are needed,
it’s that easy. Because the concha stays empty, wind
noise is reduced and directional hearing is improved.
“High-quality components and the advanced digital microchip ensure high sound quality.”
High-quality components and the advanced digital
microchip ensure high sound quality. The design
of the soft tip and the use of high-quality materials
enable prolonged comfort while wearing. The
possibility to choose a standard solution means that
you can test the Q on the spot without having to
spend extra visits to your dispenser for customizing.
The Q comes in diff erent confi gurations:
Q with 4 channels, 6 bands includes also adaptive
noise reduction, adaptive feedback management
and 4 programmable programs for diff erent sound
environments.
Q8 with 8 channels, 12 bands which also include
adaptive noise reduction, adaptive feedback
management and 4 programmable programs for
diff erent sound environments. It also comes with
datalogging; a feature which stores your daily usage
and can be analyzed during examinations.
ExSilent | 15
16 | ExSilent
In a world of fast product development
ExSilent has yet again raised the bar for
itself and is proud to present an even
smaller modular CIC product: the Qleaf.
We listened to our customers, who were already
very enthusiastic about the Q. They asked us to look
into the possibility of developing an even smaller
product, which would fit the even smallest outer ear
canals in the world.
“Particularly both size and shape of the Qleaf make this device suitable for all those ‘difficult’ ears, without compromising on the specifications at all.”
We took up the challenge and found a solution. And
so the smallest modular CIC in the world became
even smaller. During the design process we studied
thousands of outer ear canals from people all around
the globe, and we came to the conclusion that shape
was a highly important factor. And this is how the
Qleaf eventually came to be. Particularly both size
and shape of the Qleaf make this device suitable for
all those ‘difficult’ ears, without compromising on the
specifications at all.
By placing the battery compartment in the middle
of the device, there is a natural separation between
the microphone and the receiver, which results in
a decreased risk of internal feedback. The already
familiar unique softtip was also redesigned and
shaped to the curve of the Qleaf, which lead to a
more natural positioning of the device. We did not
change the reliable cerumen protection and the
Qleaf is therefore both as reliable and as comfortable
to wear as the Q.
Qleafproducts
ExSilent | 17
“We did not change the reliable cerumen protection and the Qleaf is therefore both as reliable and as comfortable to wear as the Q.”
The Qleaf comes, just like its larger brother, in 2
configurations which can be programmed by using
an industry standard connector:
Qleaf with 4 channels, 8 bands, adaptive noise
reduction and adaptive feedback manager.
Qleaf8 with 8 channels, 12 bands, adaptive noise
reduction, adaptive feedback manager and data
logging.
For a more efficient and precise fitting of the Qleaf
we have developed an innovative option called IRIS;
the Individual Resonance Improvement Shifter. With
this option the gain compared to the individual ear
canal resonance peak can be optimized by several
decibels, and therefore increase speech intelligibility.
0.25 0.5 1 2 4 8-40
-30
-20
-10
0
10
20
30
40
Frequency (KHz)
dB
Individual ear canal resonance peak
Optimized ear canal resonance peak
Individual Resonance Improvement Shifter (IRIS)
18 | ExSilent
What these products have in common is the quality
improvement of sound through a low level of
amplification, multifunctionality, and innovative and
modern design. Also wired and wireless connectivity
to external existing electronic devices was a
requirement within the scope of the several projects.
The basic thought behind setting up a parallel
product strategy is the time delay. People wait on
average 6 to 8 years before addressing their hearing
impairment. Imagine the possibility to decrease the
age of first time users with several years. If we are
able to change the attitude of this group and make
them appreciate the solutions we can offer for their
hearing problems in difficult sound environments,
we will experience a major breakthrough in lowering
the age of first time wearers.
ExSilent offers non-medical products, which will
improve the sound quality in daily life, at shop
level and at an affordable price. By doing so we not
only establish our brand name on a much broader
platform, we will also become the preferred choice
at a medical device level should the satisfied
Consumer productsIt is our vast philosophy to expand the current hearing healthcare market with our
innovative hearing aids, and with this new productline we truly offer a novelty in
the hearing aid world. Our product portfolio is extensive and continuously
developing. What we offer are consumer orientated products, which can be sold
“over the counter” in both the audiology clinic and hearing aid centers, as other
retail companies outside the audiology world.
customer decide to switch to a professionally
fitted hearing solution. We are able to offer lifetime
solutions for individuals from the day they purchase
an ExSilent product at an earlier stage in life.
To reach as many people as possible we provide
a complete marketing package, including instore
material, to attract the interest of a potential
customer who is interested in ALD’s (assistive
listening devices) or is looking for a more individual
sound experience. We are also very much aware
that we live in a wireless world, and we are therefore
developing several wireless solutions to increase the
ease of use and comfort.
Needless to say ExSilent supports its philosophy
by building a strong Ecommerce strategy in
cooperation with its partners, as we believe the
main customer for these non-medical products
will browse the web for available solutions. It is our
intention to launch the ExSilent consumer website
with webshop in the very near future.
ExSilent | 19
20 | ExSilent
In addition to our hearing aid,
we have recently developed the
Qstyle. The current iPod generation
has high demands when it comes
to the quality of listening. Qstyle is
an in-ear type of headphones, which
fi ts as snugly in your ears as our
Q hearing aid. This gives you the
ultimate sound-experience!
Because the Qsound fi ts so snugly, you’ll hardly
notice you’re wearing it. Whether you use it to
listen to your favorite Hip Hop during a workout,
or whether you’re sitting back enjoying some easy
listening- the Qstyle caters for all your audio needs!
Acoustics
Due to the deep fi tting and vibration-absorbing
material, the Qstyle isolates all outside noises. The
tips are made of silicone, to maximize comfort and
avoid dislodging. This excellent quality of sound will
at the same time prevent you from turning up the
volume and damaging your hearing.
Compatible
Compatibility is a key-point in choosing the perfect
pair of in-ear headphones. Qstyle can be used
with most mp3 players, cell phones and personal
computers. A pair of Qstyle in-ear headphones
will bring you excellent sound quality for your entire
range of audio devices.
Personality
What you wear determines your style, and so
does your music. Don’t let your headphones be an
exception! Qstyle is a stylish and miniature design,
suitable for just about anyone. Looks combined with
comfort make these headphones a pleasure to wear
for longer periods of time.
Advantages for the consumer:
• Noise isolating in-the-ear headphones,
designed by a hearing aid instrument
manufacturer, with maximum emphasis
on optimum sound experience
• Deep and comfortable fi tting soft tips in
three available sizes, are a pleasure to wear for
longer periods of time during the day without
any irritation
• Extra protection fi lter against cerumen
and moisture
ExSilent | 21
Qstyle
In environments with high noise
levels where communication is of
key importance, ExSilent introduces
an adequate solution for improved
communication and ear protection.
The Qprotect provides optimum
isolation in combination with controlled
sound reproduction in the ear canal.
Most people these days are aware of the risks
involved when exposed to loud sounds, either
in professional or recreational activities. Surveys
showed that despite this knowledge, most
individuals don’t wear adequate hearing protection.
The main reasons for not wearing hearing protection
include:
• General discomfort while wearing hearing
protection
• Not being able to monitor important sounds
• Communication difficulties
The ExSilent solution
The ExSilent Qprotect is a modulair device. Its
housing is similair to that of the Q and also fits
completely in the ear canal (CIC module). The
specially designed soft tips make it very comfortable
to wear. The Qprotect device isolates the ear from
incoming sounds while reproducing sounds and
conversations at the normal level.
When a loud sound appears, the Qprotect
attenuates the sound to safe levels. The sound
isolating softtips will dampen the incoming sound
levels by approximately 25 dB. When the loud sound
has faded and levels are normal again, the in-ear
monitor will reproduce the incoming sound at the
same level as before.
The ExSilent Qprotect offers a great solution for
users who need hearing protection against noise
in either the workspace or during recreational
activities.
Advantages for the consumer:
• Ear protection for loud sounds
• Conversations and other common sounds are
perceived at the normal level
• Not visible
• Comfortable to wear because of the hyper
allergenic, highly flexible soft tips, which are
available in various sizes to fit in any ear
• The Qprotect can be adjusted to personal
preferences with specially designed software
• Because the device is CIC, it is no problem to wear
glasses, safety helmets etc.
• Easy to use
• No need to make ear impressions
• One pair of devices is usable by several persons,
by only changing the soft tips
• No problem listening to music the normal way,
also with earphones
• Easy portable because of the small size of
the device
Qprotect
22 | ExSilent
ExSilent | 23
The aspects of a solid partnership
ExSilent, as a young and dynamic company, strives to be a future oriented and
solid partner. The way we think is different and innovative. We are currently in the
process of rapidly expanding our business all over the world. This expansion
emanates from our unique products, knowledge and willingness to understand
each individual local market.
24 | ExSilent
A few advantages
• Small and flexible company
• Integrated R&D department with
extraordinary competences
• Training and education program
• Novel future developments
• High quality, fashionable products
Another important aspect in doing business with
us, is our capability to think with you and share
knowledge and ideas on how to increase the
business together, without limiting oneself to the
conventional buyer/seller principle. We will always
look for solutions, instead of emphasizing problems.
ExSilent is able to support you with the products,
arguments, know-how and tools to effortlessly
convince your customers!
Our partners
North America
• Hear At Last - Canada
• VitaSound - Canada
South America
• Audifonos Garcia - Paraguay
• Audioprotesico - Colombia
• AudiOptica - Uruguay
• Auritone - Argentina
• CATB - Brazil
• Cualitek - Costa Rica
Europe
• Audio-Optica - Romania
• CRAI - Italy
• Duyses - Turkey
• Geers - Poland
• Hearing Health Care - Ireland
• Hörsam - Sweden
• iNewDeal - France
• Intouch Solutions - United Kingdom
• Trinitie - The Netherlands
The aspects of a solid partnership
ExSilent | 25
Qis for everyone
w w w . e x s i l e n t . c o m
Herengracht 520
1017 CC Amsterdam
The Netherlands
t. +31 (0)20 675 1004
f. +31 (0)20 675 9048