As an audiologist, I am excited about the recent surge of new over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids hitting the market. This excitement stems from the recent announcement by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) regarding the availability of OTC hearing aids for individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss.
This announcement has paved the way for a multitude of partnerships between hearing aid companies and tech giants, with the aim of developing new and innovative OTC hearing aids.
One such partnership is between Nuheara, an Australian hearing tech solutions company, and Hewlett Packard (HP). Together, they have created the HP Hearing Pro OTC hearing aid, which is set to revolutionize the way people hear. The aids were seen at CES 2023 conference and are expected to be released for sale to the public in March 2023 for $699.
Nuheara and HP Partnership
Nuheara and HP have joined forces to create an OTC hearing aid that is designed to cater to the needs of individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. The collaboration is a response to the FDA’s announcement for OTC hearing aid technology, following similar partnerships between Phonak/Sennheiser, Bose/Lexie, and WSAudiology/Sony. HP’s strong brand and market roots make it the perfect partner for Nuheara, which is lesser known.
Nuheara’s Approach to Hearing Solutions
Nuheara’s aim is to transform the way people hear by creating personalized, multifunctional, accessible, and affordable hearing solutions. They have previously launched three generations of wireless earbuds, including IQ Buds Squared Max in 2020, which have been well received by consumers. With the launch of the HP Hearing Pro OTC hearing aid, Nuheara is taking a step further towards achieving its goal of making hearing accessible to everyone.
HP Hearing Pro OTC Hearing Aid Features
The HP Hearing Pro OTC hearing aid is priced at $699 and will be available from Best Buy, Crutchfield, Amazon, and HPhearingpro.com. The price point is in the middle of the road compared to other OTC devices, which range from $199 (GoHearing) to $2,500 (Eargo). The HP Hearing Pro is a Bluetooth-enabled device, that allows users to stream music and phone calls directly to their hearing aids. This feature is currently unique to the HP Hearing Pro and sets it apart from other OTC hearing aids on the market.
Conclusion
The partnership between Nuheara and HP has resulted in the creation of a unique and innovative OTC hearing aid that is set to change the way people hear. With the addition of Bluetooth streaming capabilities, the HP Hearing Pro OTC hearing aid is sure to appeal to many individuals with mild to moderate hearing loss. The future of OTC hearing aids looks bright, and I am excited to see what new developments will come in the near future. I will review these devices when they hit the market until then see our current hearing aids recommendations.