CHICAGO, ILINOIS – The incidence of hearing loss has surged by 30 percent compared to only two decades ago. The rapidly growing user base, and concerningly low adoption rate of hearing aids, necessitates a significant push for hearing device innovation. Today, Orka has unveiled the company’s latest device: Orka Two.
Built from scratch with proprietary technology that “is not white-labeled like other products on the market,” Orka Two combines cutting-edge features, AI-powered noise reduction, and “unmatched processing power” to provide a seamless and personalized hearing experience.
The founding team at Orka, with personal experience in hearing loss, has dedicated the past four years to developing a product that breaks through the noise and transforms the lives of individuals with hearing impairments. With a strong background from renowned companies such as Apple, Facebook, and Siemens, as well as investments from industry giants Sequoia and Tencent, Orka is positioned to shake up the hearing health industry with its new approach to hearing devices.
“We understand firsthand the frustrations associated with hearing loss, and we believe that technology can play a vital role in improving the lives of individuals with hearing impairments. That’s why we built Orka Two from the ground up and from a first-hand user perspective. We’ve been in stealth mode for years developing a device based on countless human trials “
–Ben Sun, Founder and CEO of Orka
Orka Two showcases several advanced features that are said to distinguish it from conventional hearing aids. Driven by artificial intelligence, its noise reduction functionalities exceed those found in leading rivals, resulting in heightened performance and improved clarity.
With a processing power that is 1,000 times greater, Orka Two ensures that users can “fully immerse themselves in conversations and enjoy their favorite sounds without compromise”.
“I used hearing aids for seven years before finally switching to the cochlear implant, and my personal battle with hearing loss sparked the idea to create Orka, so that we could better the lives of those going through similar difficulties,” said Xinke Liu, Chief Communications Officer and co-founder of Orka. “Throughout my own personal journey with hearing loss, I’ve learned the importance of ongoing and personalized support, which is why Orka Two has evolved out of empathy, so we can help customers adjust to, and make the most of, their hearing devices.”
Offering a “Hybrid Approach” Between OTC and Professional Care
To provide an unparalleled customer experience, Orka offers a hybrid approach between over-the-counter (OTC) and clinic-based care that combines audiologist expertise with the convenience of an at-home shopping and try-on experience.
Even before day one with Orka devices, users can begin to enjoy personalized service and professional consultation with the Orka team, from free professional in-situ hearing screening, and ongoing consultations, to remote adjustments tailored to their individual hearing conditions.
Additionally, the sleek and ergonomic design of Orka Two incorporates general chips, similar to those found in popular consumer audio devices like AirPods, instead of custom chips used by traditional hearing aids in the market. General chips optimize the combination of software and hardware through unique and advanced algorithms that drive innovation in hearing health devices.
Orka Two leverages unique algorithms to improve processing power, computation power and connectivity capabilities.
Orka Two Features
The Orka Two includes many new features, including:
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AI DeNoise – Orka Two’s most significant noise reduction feature provides a smooth and natural hearing experience, surpassing that of top competitors, to ensure optimal sound isolation and quality by focusing on speech clarity and minimizing background noise.
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Bluetooth – The device is Bluetooth 5.3 technology equipped and supports both BLE and Classic Bluetooth compatibility, enabling seamless connectivity with a wide range of devices, including Apple and Android.
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On-Case Controls and Built-In Power Bank – With control buttons on the charging case, a unique feature by Orka, users can effortlessly switch settings without the need to open the app, enhancing convenience and accessibility. Charging case is also coupled with a built-in power bank for charging on the go.
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No Tiered Pricing – Orka simplifies the customer experience by offering fully equipped models without additional costs or confusing product lineups. The final price is $1,899.
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Automatic Noise Reduction and Environment Switching – Every Orka Two device comes standard with automatic noise reduction and environment switching capabilities, ensuring optimal performance in various environments.
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In-App Hearing Screening and Remote Adjustment – Orka Two offers convenient hearing assessments and adjustments from the comfort of home, empowering users to personalize their experience.
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OTA Updates – Unlike its specific-chip counterparts, the Orka Two hearing aids, created with general chips, continually evolve with the user through over-the-air updates, ensuring ongoing improvements and increased effectiveness.
To discover further details about Orka Two and to explore the variety of Orka products available, visit the company’s website here.
About Orka
Founded in Silicon Valley in 2018, Orka is a multinational startup focused on innovative hearing technologies. As one of the first global tech companies to employ AI technology throughout the full lifecycle of hearing aids, Orka is dedicated to creating an integrated hearing aid system that combines hardware, AI algorithms, and services. By achieving precise separation of human voices and noise, developing smart hearing aids, and a remote fitting platform, Orka offers users efficient solutions for remote, fine-tuning hearing aids, and redefining hearing aid products and services. Since its inception, Orka has been devoted to breaking the technological limitations of traditional hearing aids. Through combining design and technology, Orka hopes to tackle the challenges of hearing loss in a smart and economical way, making healthcare more personable and convenient. Okra was named a winner of the 2021 Reddot awards for Bluetooth hearing aids and was named as a 2021 CES Innovation Awards honoree. Learn more at https://hiorka.com/AboutUs.
Source: Orka
