Hearing News Watch

Despite gradual improvements in hearing aid insurance coverage across the United States, millions of Americans continue to lack guaranteed benefits, with older adults facing some of the most persistent gaps, according to new research published in JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. The study, “Longitudinal Growth of Mandated Hearing Aid Benefits in the US,” examined insurance coverage requirements affecting more than

EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — Starkey announced that it has been named a 2026 Inc. Power Partner, marking the second consecutive year the hearing aid manufacturer has received the recognition. The annual designation recognizes business-to-business (B2B) organizations for their customer relationships, service, and ability to support the success of their business clients. According to Starkey, the recognition reflects its ongoing efforts

STAMFORD, CONN. — CareCredit, a healthcare financing solution from Synchrony (NYSE: SYF), has introduced CareCredit Pay Later, an enhanced installment loan product designed to give consumers another way to finance healthcare products and services not covered by insurance. The new offering is available at nearly 20,000 participating health and wellness locations, including select audiology, dental, vision, and cosmetic care providers.

A new analysis published in Seminars in Hearing raises concerns about the long-term sustainability of the U.S. audiology workforce, finding that the profession has grown substantially more slowly than comparable healthcare disciplines despite an expanding population of people with hearing loss. The study, authored by Victor Bray, PhD, and Amyn M. Amlani, PhD, examines workforce trends spanning more than two

SEATTLE, WASHINGTON — Sound Pharmaceuticals has presented a new analysis of Phase 3 clinical trial data showing significant improvements in hearing thresholds and speech understanding among patients with Ménière’s disease treated with its investigational oral drug, SPI-1005. The findings, presented at the 2026 American Academy of Otolaryngology–Head and Neck Surgery (AAO-HNS) Annual Meeting in Los Angeles, suggest the treatment may

SAN DIEGO, CALIFORNIA —  Ting Therapeutics has announced that its investigational drug TT004 has received approval to begin clinical testing in China, clearing the way for a Phase Ib study evaluating its potential to protect patients from the harmful effects of cisplatin chemotherapy, including treatment-related hearing loss. The study, which will be conducted at Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan

A newly published study in BMC Geriatrics finds that older adults consistently prefer receiving hearing healthcare information, testing, and hearing devices through traditional medical settings rather than retail stores, online channels, or other nonmedical alternatives. Published October 13, 2026, the research examined survey responses from adults aged 60 and older in Australia, Canada, England, and the United States. The findings

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS — Beltone announced that its third annual Hear2End Hunger Food Drive collected 20,640 non-perishable food items for local food banks and hunger-relief organizations across the United States, surpassing its goal of 20,000 items. The month-long initiative, held throughout September in recognition of Hunger Action Month, saw collections increase by more than 41% compared with 2025. Since the program began

LONDON, UK — RNID and GN Hearing have announced the launch of Auracast for Theatres, a new practical guide designed to help theatres and live-performance venues improve audio accessibility for people who are deaf or have hearing loss. Developed by RNID, the UK charity supporting people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus, with support from GN Hearing, the playbook

LYNGE, DENMARK – WSA has announced results from two clinical studies suggesting that incorporating individual sound preferences into hearing aid consultations may increase the likelihood that patients proceed with hearing aid purchases. Conducted across 42 hearing care clinics in Spain, Canada, and the United States, the studies involved more than 3,000 clients and found that hearing aid conversion rates were approximately