Starkey to Relocate R&D from California to Israel; Offers Glimpse of New Livio AI Hearing Aid
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — Starkey Hearing Technologies recently announced that it was expanding its global research and development (R&D) by establishing an advanced development center in Tel Aviv, Israel, and that it would be closing the company’s research center located in Berkeley, California. Amit Shahar, hired by the company to be the new VP of…
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Untruthful on the Stand? Some of Austin’s Testimony Struck from Record in Starkey Trial
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — The $20 million embezzlement trial involving former Starkey executives took yet another twist this week when U.S. District Court Judge John Tunheim ruled Tuesday that Starkey Laboratories owner Bill Austin perjured himself at least once in his testimony earlier in the trial. The testimony in question, regarding the perjury allegations against Austin,…
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Starkey Owner Takes the Stand
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — The trial of former Starkey president Jerry Ruzicka and three others accused of stealing more than $20 million from Starkey through the illegal transfer of restricted stock resumed during the week of February 5th after a one week Super Bowl break. The resumption of the trial was highlighted by the testimony of…
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Starkey Launches New Muse iQ Rechargeable Hearing Aids
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Starkey Hearing Technologies announced the release of their new Muse iQ Rechargeable, which the company says is the “smartest, smallest rechargeable hearing aid on the market”. The new devices were announced at the 2018 Hearing Innovation Expo in Las Vegas, but are now available for purchase. The Muse iQ Rechargeable 900sync technology-enabled…
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Trial Begins This Week for Former Starkey Executives
In Minneapolis, jury selection is scheduled to begin today for two former executives of Starkey Hearing Technologies on charges of fraud and embezzlement. As HHTM readers will recall Starkey’s longtime former president Jerry Ruzicka, chief financial officer Scott Nelson and vice president of human resources Larry Miller were all fired in September 2015 by Starkey’s…
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Former US Presidents Among Keynote Speakers at Starkey’s 2018 Hearing Innovation Expo in Las Vegas
Starkey Hearing Technologies announced that it is hosting the fourth Hearing Innovation Expo at The Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas. This year’s event, which is being held on January 3-7, 2018, is expected to see more than 3,000 hearing professionals, scientists, industry experts and business leaders in attendance. A high profile list of keynote speakers are…
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Brandon Sawalich Named Starkey’s New President
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — In a company announcement yesterday, Starkey Hearing Technologies reported that Bill Austin will be stepping down from his role as President and will be succeeded by his stepson, Brandon Sawalich. Austin is said to retain his title as CEO and will continue to be involved in driving the company’s “strategic direction…
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Starkey Launches New Ear Health Product Line
MINNEAPOLIS, MINNESOTA — Starkey Hearing Technologies announced this week that it is launching an all-new Ear Health product line. Sold directly in the hearing professional’s office, the new products offer solutions for ear wax, earaches, itchy ears, dry ears, and for protecting ears from loud sounds. According to the company press release, the new products…
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Starkey Eyes Rechargeable Future, Partners With Humavox
TEL AVIV, ISRAEL — Humavox, an Israeli-based startup, announced that it will be partnering with Starkey Hearing Technologies to bring wireless charging capability to the next generation of hearing devices. Integrating the wireless charging technology into Starkey’s devices will allow hearing aid users to simply “drop” their devices into the charging case to recharge, regardless of orientation in the case.…
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Former Starkey Executives Charged in $20 Million Embezzlement Scheme
Last September, Starkey made headlines when it abruptly fired President Jerry Ruzicka and several other executives amid accusations of illegal business activities. One year later, as reported in the Minneapolis Star-Tribune and numerous other Twin Cities media outlets, Ruzicka, along with former CFO, Scott Nelson and former human resources director, Larry Miller were charged with…
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