U.S. HEARING PROTECTION DEVICES MARKET ANALYSIS

U.S. hearing protection devices market is estimated to be valued at US$ 544.0 million in 2023, and is expected to exhibit a CAGR of 10.3% during the forecast period (2023-2030).

Analysts’ Views on U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market:

Increasing incidence of hearing loss is expected to drive the U.S. hearing protection devices market growth.  Increasing adoption of inorganic growth strategies by key players and introduction of novel hearing protection devices is also expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, on May 15, 2023, Reviv3 Acquisition Corp., a wholly owned subsidiary of Reviv3 Procare, entered into a multi-year licensing agreement with NASCAR (National Association for Stock Car Auto Racing). Under the terms of the agreement, Reviv3 Acquisition Corp. will produce and sell a new line of NASCAR-branded earbuds, earmuffs, hearing devices, ear plugs, and outdoor speakers in NASCAR venues and distribution channels in the U.S., Puerto Rico, and Canada, as well as at U.S. military bases around the world.

Figure 1. U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market Value (US$ Mn) & Y-o-Y Growth (%), 2017-2030

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U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market– Drivers

Increasing Incidence of Noise-induced Hearing Loss

Increasing incidence of noise-induced hearing loss is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in March 2022, According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), in 2020, around one in eight people in the U.S. (13%) aged 12 years or older suffered from hearing loss in ears. In the U.S., around 12% of the total population suffered from hearing impairment caused due to loud noise. Therefore, increasing prevalence of hearing loss is expected to boost demand for hearing protection devices to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. This is expected to drive the U.S. hearing protection devices market growth.

Increasing Adoption of Inorganic Strategies by Key Players

Increasing adoption of inorganic strategies by key players such as partnership and acquisition agreement is expected to drive the market growth over the forecast period. For instance, in February 2020, GTX Corp. (MetAlert), a U.S.-based pioneer of smart wearable technologies, entered into an agreement with Hearing Armor, a patented technology company designed to stop dangerous sounds from reaching the inner ear, to launch a new patented wearable technology noise reduction system (NRBz) that is designed to reduce loud background noise by up to 40 dB’s without attenuating low direct noise. The device is originally developed by Hearing Armor.

Figure 2. U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market Share (%), By Product Type, 2023

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U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market– Impact of Coronavirus (COVID-19) Pandemic

Since the COVID-19 virus outbreak in December 2019, the disease has spread to over 100 countries across the globe, and the World Health Organization declared it a public health emergency on January 30, 2020.

COVID-19 affected the economy in three main ways: by directly affecting the production and demand of drugs, by creating disruptions in distribution channels, and through its financial impact on firms and financial markets. Due to nationwide lockdowns, several countries such as China, India, Saudi Arabia, the U.A.E., Egypt, and others faced problems regarding transportation of drugs from one place to another.

However, the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on the U.S. hearing protection devices market owing to cancellation of various construction, mining, manufacturing activities, and postponement of several public events. For instance, on April 5, 2023, according to an article published by BioMed Central Journal, during the pandemic, hearing aid services including hearing screening, audiological assessment or hearing aid programming which are not accessible. Adults with hearing impairment indicated that hearing was compromised in video calls, especially for those with moderate to severe hearing loss.

U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market- Segmentation

U.S. hearing protection devices market report is segmented into product type, protection type, and end user.

Among product type, the U.S. hearing protection devices market is segmented into earplugs, earmuffs, hearing bands, uniform attenuation earplugs, canal caps, and connected devices. Out of which, earplugs segment held a dominant position in the market over the forecast period due to increasing prevalence of hearing loss caused due to aging and noise.

Among protection type, the U.S. hearing protection devices market is segmented into enclosure, aural insert, super-aural, and circumaural. Out of which, circumaural segment is expected to dominate the market over the forecast period due to the rise in noise-related hearing damage, these include larger drivers and a wider frequency range, making them suited for studio use.

Among End User, the U.S. hearing protection devices market is segmented into healthcare, mining, military, manufacturing, construction and others. Out of which, the military segment is expected dominate the U.S. hearing protection devices market over the forecast period as earplugs are used for noise protection to provide soldiers an added advantage in war zones. As per the U.S. Department of Veteran’s Affair in 2020, hearing loss, tinnitus, and other impairments are common service-connected disabilities for army personnel.

Among all segmentation, earplugs segment has the highest potential due to tincreasing product launch by the key market players over the forecast period. For instance, in June 2021, Minuendo AS, a manufacturer of adjustable earplugs, announced the launch of its Minuendo lossless earplugs. Minuendo AS’s mission is to increase awareness about hearing loss prevention, and to provide a product that musicians and audio engineers can use to make the auditory experience safe, while at the same time retaining audio quality.

U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market- Key Developments

In March 2021, Honeywell International Inc., a global technology and manufacturing company, announced a new earplug dispenser treated with an antimicrobial additive to meet operations’ safety needs, as employees return to job sites. The Honeywell HL400 Antimicrobial-Protected Dispenser has a built-in antimicrobial additive that releases slowly and prevents growth of microbes that can degrade the integrity of the dispenser. The new earplug dispenser provides job areas with surfaces that are consistently clean, including the turn knob and catch tray, and thus, reducing the need for individual product packaging.

On June 01, 2023, Minuendo AS, a manufacturer of patented earplugs, announced the launch of an Indiegogo campaign. Minuendo AS requests financial support and resources from the Indiegogo community, so that it can start manufacturing and shipping its new earplug product named Minuendo LIVE 17dB. Campaign pricing for Minuendo LIVE earplugs is heavily discounted for early backers.

In June 2020, Flare Audio Ltd., a revolutionary audio technology company, developed a remarkable, wearable device that reduces distortion in the human ear. Its design provides a natural way to reduce constant barrage of environmental noise stressors that have negative impact on mental and physical well-being. The reduction of distortion also results in improved, higher definition audio experience while listening to live or recorded music; giving ears a natural ‘audio upgrade.

In July 2022, 3M, a U.S.-based multinational conglomerate operating in the fields of industry, worker safety, healthcare, and consumer goods, announced that its plans to resolve litigation related to Combat Arms Earplugs Version 2.

U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market- Key Trends

Increasing Awareness Regarding Hearing Loss

To tackle rising threat of hearing loss, it is important to increase awareness regarding the hearing loss. Loss of hearing can be isolating and isolated person from other people and activities. Awareness about hearing loss helps to remain cognizant about hearing health, and assess quickly any early signs of hearing loss. For instance, in April 2020, according to Hearing Health Foundation, as sensorineural hearing loss is not reversible, early preventive and corrective actions such as wearing hearing aids by qualified medical professionals can reduce the escalation of hearing loss, ascertaining a better quality of life. For children, early detection of hearing loss and establishment of a hearing rehabilitation program can help immensely to ensure their language and social development skills.

U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market: Restraints

Lack of Awareness about Hearing Protection Devices

Factors such as lack of awareness about hearing protection devices, and improper maintenance of the device before and after use which can cause discomfort and itching to the wearer can hamper the market growth. Also hearing protection devices such as electronic hearing protection devices may cause heating (device get warm) or pain in the ear canal after prolonged use, and this  is expected to restrain the U.S. hearing protection devices market growth. For instance, in March 2022, World Health Organization (WHO), ahead of World Hearing Day 2022,  issued a new international standard for safe listening at venues and events. WHO encourages governments to develop and enforce legislation for safe listening and raise awareness of the risks of hearing loss. The private sector should include WHOs recommendations for safe listening features in their products, venues, and events. To motivate behavior change, civil society organizations, parents, teachers, and physicians can educate young people to practice safe listening habits. Therefore, spreading awareness regarding the hearing protection can help to reduce the risk caused due to the hearing.

U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market- Key Players

Major players operating in the U.S. hearing protection devices market include 3M, Honeywell International Inc., ProtectEar USA, LLC., PROTECH USA, David Clark Company, MSA,  Moldex-Metric, DEWALT, Miracle-Ear, SoundGear, McKeon Products, Inc., Walker, and Altus Brands.

U.S. Hearing Protection Devices Market – Definition

A hearing protection device, also known as a HPD, is an ear protection device that is worn in or over the ears while exposed to hazardous noise, and provides hearing protection to prevent noise-induced hearing loss. HPDs reduce the level of the noise entering the ear. HPDs can also protect against other effects of noise exposure such as tinnitus and hyperacusis. There are many different types of HPDs available for use including earmuffs, earplugs, electronic hearing protection devices, and semi-insert devices.