Knowles Releases New Balanced Armatures and MEMS Microphones for OTC Hearing Aids

Knowles Corporation is showcasing its latest solutions optimized for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids at the CES 2023 show in Las Vegas. The new product releases unveiled ahead of the show offer performance and design flexibility to accelerate the production of hearing health products. Three full-range balanced armature receivers and two updated MEMS microphones will fulfill the rigorous demands of hearing aid design and acoustic performance.

Responding to the Food and Drug Administration’s recent approval of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, HearUSA announced that it will offer Sony’s new over-the-counter hearing aids. The first two models – the Sony CRE-C10 and Sony CRE-E10 – will be available for clients to purchase early next year in all HearUSA centers and online. These solutions result from Sony's joint development with WS Audiology Denmark with the aim of supplying products and services in the OTC self-fitting hearing aid space.

Australian hearable pioneers Nuheara announced that the company has received the "historic and first of its kind" FDA 510(k) premarket clearance for both an 874.3325 Self-fitting Hearing Aid and the 800.30 Over The Counter (OTC) hearing aid classification. This gives clearance for Nuheara to launch a "Self-Fitting Air-Conduction Hearing Aid, Over The Counter" product, which will be launched in the US market as the HP Hearing PRO.

Following the recently issued rule establishing Over-the-Counter (OTC) hearing aids by the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA), Sony Corporation and WS Audiology Denmark A/S have entered into a partnership agreement and various ancillary agreements with the aim of jointly developing and supplying new products and services in the OTC self-fitting hearing aid market, beginning with the United States. US consumers will be the first to be able to buy Sony-branded hearing assistive products.