GN Hearing unveiled the first in a new category of its higher-end ReSound LiNX 3D line of hearing aids, which it dubs as "premium-plus," aiming to offer higher sound quality with a long, rechargeable battery life.

The ReSound LiNX Quattro features a new chip platform that doubles the processing speed and available memory compared to the ReSound LiNX 3D hearing aid. The new model also increased frequency bandwidth by 35% for a higher input dynamic range, which the company said allows it to deliver clearer speech in noisy situations and a more faithful reproduction of music.

The company plans to begin rolling out the Quattro in the U.S., the U.K. and Canada near the end of the month—using a receiver-in-the-ear form factor, with both rechargeable and replaceable batteries—and at a higher price point. A version of the device will be made available through GN’s Beltone franchise at the same time, as the Beltone Amaze.

With the top-of-the-line branding, GN may "seek to command a significant premium and take advantage of what has recently been a relatively benign pricing environment in the hearing aid market," Bernstein’s Lisa Clive said in a note to analysts.

"ReSound LiNX Quattro is the perfect choice for people who want to upgrade to a new class of hearing aids that deliver unprecedented layers of sounds and the longest battery life available in stylish, discreet designs," GN’s Chief Audiology Officer Laurel Christensen said in a statement. The company cites NIH statistics estimating 28.8 million adults in the U.S. with mild to severe hearing loss could benefit from hearing aids.

The Quattro comes with a portable case that holds three extra battery charges. Its first product with a lithium-ion battery, GN estimates it can last 24 hours when streaming 50% of the time, and up to 30 hours without streaming. In addition, through a wirelessly connected app, healthcare professionals can make fine-tuning adjustments remotely without the need for a clinic visit, and users can stream directly to their smartphones.

GN’s ReSound LiNX 3D product family was first launched in May 2017, and is currently available in several countries with plans to be launched in China later this year.

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