Market Update 2021: True Wireless Earbuds Evolving Toward Hearables

There’s a lot happening in the true wireless stereo (TWS) category and this market update article intends to provide a quick overview of the state-of the-art technologies and platforms in the space, as well as some reference approaches in product design. This audioXpress Market Update addresses what is happening in this vibrant product category in 2021.

More than five years in development and after multiple iterations, Australian startup Nuheara achieved its goal with the Nuheara IQbuds2 MAX, a bridge toward truly smart hearables. This advanced design uses digital technology to bring hearing aid functionality into true wireless earbuds. audioXpress asked Brent Butterworth to try them and share his experience and evaluation. This article was originally published in audioXpress, July 2021.

Following the announcement of collaboration with Qualcomm, in October 2020, Jacoti BV, the Belgium-based medical technology company, now announced the immediate licensing availability of OTC Ready, Jacoti’s hearing software platform. OTC Ready enables headphone/earbud manufacturers using Qualcomm 51XX SoCs to address the likely requirements of the upcoming US over-the-counter hearing aid market.