Company name: The Ear Phone Connection Inc
Headquarters: Valencia, Calif.
Signature Product: Hawk EC Lapel Microphone
Website: https://earphoneconnect.com/
1. Where did your company name originate from?
“Earphone” refers to the earpiece that directs incoming communications discreetly into the ear. “Connection” refers to the idea that the accessories connect to and are compatible with a variety of radio makes and models.
2. What was the inspiration behind starting your company?
Before starting Earphone Connection, Ruben Scheimberg worked as a cameraman on the set of “Cops” and “LAPD: Life on the Beat.” These TV shows depicted the on-duty life of police officers. After spending his career focusing on sight, sound, motion and riding along with officers for these TV shows, Scheimberg saw an opportunity: why not start a company that focuses on helping law enforcement communicate better?
In 1997, Scheimberg started Earphone Connection and introduced an earpiece with a hook that fits comfortably on an officer’s ear.
3. What is your signature product and how does it work?
Our best seller and signature product is the Hawk EC Lapel Microphone. Key elements include a compact whisper-sensitive, uni-directional lapel microphone that is clipped to the lapel of the shirt and a clear tube earpiece with a comfortable ear tip that directs the sound into the ear for discreet and safe communications.
Users now have the option of choosing other styles of earpiece, such as the moisture-free tubeless or short tube style earpiece. Furthermore, we developed the “Easy-Connect” system, which improves reliability and radio connection for most radio makes and models.
4. Why do you believe your products are essential to the police community?
After 25 years of serving the law enforcement community, we know that having an earpiece can be lifesaving. And, in our humble opinion, should be a staple of every uniform. Situational awareness is critical for police officers in a dangerous encounter. An earpiece allows officers to hear communications clearly and prevents bad guys from hearing what could turn the situation against them.
“An increasing number of officers are realizing that earpieces have a place in every officer’s standard duty gear. It’s just as important as your weapon, body armor and body camera,” Scheimberg said. “Another thing for officers to consider is how having an earpiece can solve the massive feedback and noise that radio sounds can generate in a group setting. You can control the chaos.”
5. What has been the biggest challenge your company has faced?
At Earphone Connection, we work hard to develop innovative, new two-way radio accessory products that benefit the law enforcement industry. EPC introduced the first wireless microphone with push-to-talk. This has been a work in progress and a challenge. The nature of Bluetooth is tricky and there are many variables like: radio make, RF interference and other environmental factors that come into play. Over time, EPC has been able to troubleshoot user issues and we now have a complete Bluetooth line that delivers a high level of functionality for our users.
6. What makes your company unique?
When it comes to two-way radio accessories, comfort is paramount. Earphone Connection has developed uniquely patented ear tips like the Fin Ultra™ All-Day Comfort Ear Tip and the Torpedo™ Aerodynamic Earbud. Both ear tips deliver all-day comfort and 360° situational awareness. Users report that the tips are so soft and comfortable that they do not even feel the ear tip in their ear.
Furthermore, while our growth and mission has been based on our commitment to provide our customers with product knowledge and dedicated customer support, our success has been based on our ability to accept suggestions, ideas and feedback. Then, we improve our products based upon those suggestions.
7. What do your customers like best about you and your products?
We know it sounds cliché, but we strive to go above and beyond when it comes to customer service. We have a vested interest in working with our customers. When it comes to radios, there are so many variables. It is not a one size fits all scenario. By gaining customer feedback, troubleshooting issues, and understanding our customer’s specific needs, we are able to make improvements to our products and ultimately deliver more efficient tools for communication.
This makes our products better and our customers happier. We have a hassle-free warranty process and we work with our customers to achieve results.
8. What is the most rewarding part of serving the first responder community?
We have the highest respect for our customers. It is our honor to serve those who keep our communities safe. After 25 years of working with law enforcement, we can honestly say that there is no better group to serve.
9. What’s next for your company? Any upcoming new projects or initiatives?
The Tubeless earpiece family is a very exciting development. Users appreciate the sound quality, comfort and reliability. Until recently, our Tubeless family included the Micro Sound Listen Only Earpiece and the Hawk EC Tubeless M1 Lapel Microphone. Our newest addition, the Micro Deuce, features a dual-sided tubeless earpiece, that can be very useful for high noise environments. All Tubeless products deliver huge benefits and have evolved to include features like Easy-Swivel speaker rotation, Secure Ear Tip Lock and versatile Simple Release Micro Connector, which allows for easy and affordable replacements. With the simple release micro connector, EPC Tubeless users can simply swap out the accessories based on their field needs.