LifeSound on a roll

Durban-based businessman Brendan McGuirk is set to revolutionise the South African hearing healthcare industry with his plan to implement and roll out the franchise model of his LifeSound concept. The concept was launched at an event at the Gateway Theatre of Shopping in Umhlanga.

Pictured are Brendon McGuirk, Director of Lifesound, with marketing manager Fiona McGuirk.

LifeSound is the world’s first holistic retail store committed to changing the way people approach and protect their hearing – the company aims to present a lifestyle experience. The concept is based on the idea that the general public needs to have easy access to professional hearing care, hearing protection, hearing enhancement and enjoyment products in an approachable and relaxed environment. In a one-stop shop scenario, customers can have their hearing tested by a qualified audiologist; hearing aids fitted or purchase a variety of hearing products over the counter.

“LifeSound’s vision is to create a retail innovation that will transform the way consumers feel about hearing care. Ultimately our aim is to provide mainstream hearing care and prevent hearing loss by making the subject less intimidating and easily accessible,” explains McGuirk.

Amplification

It’s estimated that about four million South Africans are hearing impaired and although 80% of these hearing losses can be remedied with the use of hearing amplification, less that 2% of the population is fitted with hearing aids.

“People need to be better educated about hearing healthcare; hearing healthcare needs to be more readily available. A huge portion of the market has not been penetrated and therefore still needs to be reached. LifeSound addresses all of these issues,” says McGuirk.

The pilot LifeSound store was opened in 2008 at Gateway Theatre of Shopping and, after nearly two years in which the concept was remoulded and subsequently perfected, the franchise model is ready to be launched nationally. This model provides an opportunity for audiologists, businessmen and women, to buy into a tested retail business that is essentially the future of the hearing healthcare industry.

Although the LifeSound model will have a major influence on the hearing healthcare industry, it will not “cannibalise” the existing market. Traditionally people, usually 65 years or older, would be referred to an audiologist by their general practitioner or ENT surgeon, however, according to LifeSound, recent studies have shown that this model only target 20% of the population. The company targets the remaining 80% with the average age of the customer being 48 years old.

“A more commercial focus enables LifeSound to be more cost effective, efficient, innovative and responsive to customer needs while maintaining the professional integrity of the industry,” says McGuirk.

For info: www.lifesound.biz or email brendan@lifesound.biz.