Global Hearable Market – Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030

Global Hearable Market, By Type (In Ear, On Ear, Open Ear, and Over Ear), Sales Channel (Online Sales Channel and Offline Sales Channel), Noise Cancellation (Active-Noise Cancellation (ANC) and Passive Noise Cancellation (Isolation), Application (Personal Audio and Communication, Media and Entertainment, Noise Isolation/Cancellation, Health and Fitness (Hearing Aids) and Smart Device Interaction), Audio Input (With Microphone and Without Microphone), End User (Consumer, Healthcare and Industrial) - Industry Trends and Forecast to 2030.

Hearable Market Analysis and Insights

The rising demand for wireless headphones is expected to drive market growth. However, the high cost associated with advanced hearable devices is the major factor expected to restrain market growth. Increasing strategic partnerships and collaboration within industry players are expected to act as opportunities for market growth in the future. However, battery life issues associated with wireless hearables are expected to pose a challenge to market growth.

Data Bridge Market Research analyzes that the global hearable market is expected to reach a value of USD 167,695.06 million by 2030, at a CAGR of 17.3% during the forecast period.

Market Definition

Hearables refer to electronic devices specifically designed for multiple purposes which could range from wireless transmission to communication purposes, medical monitoring, and fitness tracking. These devices are featured with biometrics, movement, proximity, and other sensors allowing them to collect context about the user. These devices could be defined as technically advanced electronic devices that could perform multiple purposes such as wireless transmission to communication objectives.

Global Hearable  Market Dynamics

This section deals with understanding the market drivers, advantages, opportunities, restraints, and challenges. All of this is discussed in detail below:

Driver

• Rising Demand for Wireless Headphones

In today's fast-paced world, where convenience and mobility are key, wireless headphones have emerged as a ubiquitous companion for individuals across the globe. These sleek and portable audio wearables have redefined the enjoyment level regarding audio content while enabling more active lifestyles. Wireless headphones provide a newfound freedom to consumers, which allows them to move without the constraints of tangled cords or the fear of the sudden pull of headphone cables. Wireless audio wearables empower multitasking and engagement towards various activities while staying connected to our favorite tunes or podcasts. The seamless freedom offered by wireless headphones is making them an essential accessory in our modern digitized lives, which is expected to drive market growth.

Restraint

• High Cost Associated with Advanced Hearable Devices       

One significant restraint in the adoption of advanced hearable devices is the high cost associated with them. These cutting-edge technologies often come with a premium price tag, making them inaccessible to a significant portion of the population. The expense includes not only the initial purchase but also ongoing maintenance and potential repairs. As a result, many individuals with hearing impairments or those seeking enhanced audio experiences may be deterred from benefiting from these devices due to financial constraints, limiting their widespread adoption and accessibility.

Opportunity

• Increasing Collaboration and Partnership Among Market Players

The rise in collaboration and partnership initiatives presents a significant opportunity for market growth. These strategic alliances can unlock new avenues for market growth by expanding the reach and acceptance of headphones, earbuds, neckbands, and hearing aids. Collaborations between consumer electronic companies, audio companies, and biomedical device companies can enhance the convenience and accessibility of these hearables for consumers. Moreover, partnerships can drive innovation in the sector, leading to the development of more advanced and feature-rich hearable devices. The market is poised for substantial expansion in the coming years as businesses continue to explore synergies and work together to tap into emerging markets.

Challenge

• Battery Life Issues Associated with Wireless Hearables

Wireless hearables, including Bluetooth earbuds and smart headphones, depend on rechargeable batteries to power their functions. Battery life is crucial for user satisfaction and the overall usability of these devices. Several issues related to battery life pose challenges to market growth.

Limited Battery Capacity: Hearables are compact devices with limited physical space for batteries. Balancing size and battery capacity is a constant challenge for manufacturers. It becomes difficult to provide extended battery life as consumers demand smaller and lighter hearables. Modern hearables come with various features such as noise cancellation, voice assistants, fitness tracking, and more. These features require power, often draining the battery quickly. Manufacturers need to optimize power management to extend usage time.

Recent Developments

• In July 2023, Apple Inc. unveiled a significant upgrade to its AirPods lineup. The latest enhancements included Adaptive Audio, Personalized Volume, and Conversation Awareness, promising a revolutionary transformation in the realm of personal audio. 
• In April 2023, Bose Corporation launched A30 Aviation Headset with improved microphone quality, enhanced noise-cancellation, and a lighter build compared to the previous A20 model. The company benefited from the launch of the A30 Aviation Headset by attracting aviation professionals with enhanced features, potentially increasing sales and reinforcing its reputation as a leader in aviation audio technology, focused on enhancing sustainability leadership and accelerating aftermarket growth.  

Global Hearable  Market Scope

The global hearable market is segmented into six notable segments based on type, sales channel, noise cancellation, application, audio input, and end user. The growth among segments helps you analyze niche pockets of growth and strategies to approach the market and determine your core application areas and the differences in your target markets.

Type

• On Ear
• In Ear
• Over Ear
• Open Ear

On the basis of type, the market is segmented into in ear, on ear, open ear, and over ear.

Sales Channel

• Online Sales Channel
• Offline Sales Channel

On the basis of sales channel, the market is segmented into online sales channel and offline sales channel.

Noise Cancellation

• Active-Noise Cancellation (ANC)
• Passive Noise Cancellation (Isolation)

On the basis of noise cancellation, the market is segmented into active-noise cancellation (ANC) and passive noise cancellation (isolation).

Application

• Media and Entertainment
• Noise Isolation/Cancellation
• Personal Audio and Communication
• Health and Fitness (Hearing Aids)
• Smart Device Interaction

On the basis of application, the market is segmented into personal audio and communication, media and entertainment, noise isolation/cancellation, health and fitness (hearing aids), and smart device interaction.

Audio Input

• With Microphone
• Without Microphone

On the basis of audio input, the market is segmented into with microphone and without microphone.

End User

• Consumer
• Healthcare
• Industrial

On the basis of end user, the market is segmented into consumer, healthcare, and industrial.

Global Hearable Market Regional Analysis/Insights

The global hearable market is segmented into six notable segments based on type, sales channel, noise cancellation, application, audio input, and end user.   

The countries covered in this market report are U.S., Canada, Mexico, Germany, France, U.K., Italy, Russia, Spain, Netherlands, Switzerland, Belgium, Turkey, Poland, Denmark, Sweden, Norway, Finland, Rest of Europe, China, Japan, India, Australia, South Korea, Singapore, Malaysia, Thailand, Indonesia, Philippines, Taiwan, Vietnam, Rest of Asia-Pacific, South Africa, Saudi Arabia, U.A.E., Egypt, Israel, Kuwait, Oman, Qatar, Bahrain, Rest of Middle East and Africa, Brazil, Argentina and Rest of South America.      

Asia-Pacific is expected to dominate the market. China is expected to dominate the Asia-Pacific region due to a growing focus on the safety of workers in industrial areas. U.S. is expected to dominate the North America region due to the increasing adoption of miniaturized earbuds among the younger population. Germany is expected to dominate the Europe region due to changes in consumer behavior with respect to wireless audio hearables, which are now a perfect companion for daily activities of life and a style symbol.  

The country section of the report also provides individual market-impacting factors and changes in regulation in the market domestically that impact the current and future trends of the market. Data points such as new sales, replacement sales, country demographics, regulatory acts, and import-export tariffs are some of the major pointers used to forecast the market scenario for individual countries. Also, the presence and availability of global brands and their challenges faced due to large or scarce competition from local and domestic brands, and the impact of sales channels are considered while providing forecast analysis of the country data.

Competitive Landscape and Global Hearable Market Share Analysis

The global hearable market competitive landscape provides details of competitors. Details included are company overview, company financials, revenue generated, market potential, investment in R&D, new market initiatives, production sites and facilities, company strengths and weaknesses, product launch, product approvals, product width and breadth, application dominance, and product type lifeline curve. The above data points provided are only related to the company’s focus on the market.

Some of the major market players operating in the global hearable market are Apple Inc., SAMSUNG, Xiaomi, Sonova, WS Audiology Denmark A/S, Bose Corporation, LG Electronics, Huawei Technologies Co., Ltd., Starkey Laboratories, Inc., JABRA (A Subsidiary of GN STORE NORD A/S), Google, Miracle-Ear, Imagine Marketing Limited, Edifier, Fantasia Trading LLC (A part of Anker Innovations) (Soundcore), Skullcandy, 3M, Koninklijke Philips N.V., Fujikon, Microsoft, Bragi, Amazon.com, Inc., VOXX International Corp., Olive Union Inc., Audio-Technica Corporation,  QuietOn, and NUHEARA LIMITED and among others.