EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — Starkey has received two honors from the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards, with President and CEO Brandon Sawalich named Overall Winner in the Individual category and the company’s Omega AI platform recognized for product innovation.
The awards, presented by the Business Intelligence Group, recognize organizations and individuals for innovation across industries. According to Starkey, the dual recognition reflects both executive leadership and recent technology developments within the company’s hearing technology portfolio.
Omega AI, introduced globally in October 2025, represents Starkey’s latest hearing technology platform. The company reports that the launch contributed to strong commercial performance across multiple markets and introduced new capabilities related to sound processing, durability, and health-focused features.
“Innovation at Starkey means setting the standard for what hearing technology can achieve. Our leadership in AI, sound quality, and health and wellness capabilities is grounded in decades of experience and continues to drive the future of hearing healthcare. Omega AI reflects our commitment to lead the industry with technology that delivers real-world results and meaningful impact for people around the globe.”
–Brandon Sawalich
Under Sawalich’s leadership, Starkey has expanded the scope of hearing technology by integrating artificial intelligence, sensors, and wellness-related functions into its devices. The company positions these developments as part of a broader effort to support safety, wellness, and everyday performance in addition to amplification.
According to Starkey, Omega AI is powered by a next-generation processor and a deep neural network (DNN) accelerator. The platform includes a DNN-powered directionality system designed to adapt to changing listening environments, along with features such as extended battery life and a waterproof design.
The Omega AI platform also incorporates health-related tools, including personal health monitoring, fall detection, balance assessment and training features, and real-time language translation through the My Starkey app. Starkey reports that its TeleHear AI assistant is intended to help users address common issues when access to a hearing professional is limited.
Sawalich has more than 30 years of experience in the hearing industry and joined Starkey in 1994. Over his career, he has held leadership roles across marketing, sales, and customer service before becoming President and CEO. He also serves as Board Chair of the Hearing Industries Association.
The BIG Innovation Awards recognize innovation across sectors, evaluating entries based on creativity, measurable results, and overall impact. Starkey’s recognition highlights recent developments in both leadership and product innovation within the hearing technology industry.
About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company has more than 5,000 employees, operates 29 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide.
