Karl Strom

Editor in Chief

Karl Strom is the Editor in Chief of HearingTracker. He has been covering the hearing aid industry for over 30 years. 

Sennheiser Hearing Aids and Hearables: Models, Costs, Reviews, and Sound Samples

An overview of the different models, features, and pricing for the Sennheiser All-Day Clear products for people with hearing loss or who want a...

Karl Strom on
GN's “New Norm” Free Photo Bank on Unsplash to Change Visual Misperceptions of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aids

Concurrent with today's World Hearing Loss Day theme of “Changing Mindsets,” GN is establishing a photo bank that depicts modern hearing aids on...

Karl Strom on
Starkey Introduces Signature Series Custom Hearing Aids; Announces Next-Gen of Genesis AI

Starkey has unveiled a new line of custom hearing aids, the Signature Series, which includes a tiny invisible-in-canal (IIC) and a rechargeable...

Karl Strom on
Oticon Launches Oticon Intent: A Sensor-Driven Hearing Aid Designed to Understand Your Listening Needs

Oticon has unveiled its new hearing aid, Oticon Intent, featuring 4D Sensor technology that is designed to discern users' communication...

Karl Strom on
Phonak Expands Its Flagship Lumity Family with Four New Disposable Battery Models

Phonak unveils four new additions to its Lumity hearing aid line, catering to diverse needs, including a new discreet RIC option with a disposable...

Karl Strom on
A New Shape for Sound: Widex Launches SmartRIC Hearing Aid with New Design for Better Hearing in Noise

Widex SmartRIC is a new L-shaped hearing aid designed to “L-evate” and increase the efficiency of its dual-microphone system for better...

Karl Strom on
ReSound Nexia Hearing Aid Line Extended with New BTEs, Custom Rechargeables, and Auracast Innovations

ReSound has announced an extensive expansion of its flagship Nexia hearing aid line, introducing new Behind-the-Ear (BTE) and custom in-ear models...

Karl Strom on
Eargo Unveils Two New OTC Hearing Aids: Eargo SE and LINK by Eargo with Bluetooth Audio

Eargo announces two new self-fitting OTC hearing aids, the Eargo SE CIC and the LINK By Eargo earbud with Bluetooth audio streaming, bringing new...

Karl Strom on
Decoding the Genetics of Tinnitus: Unraveling Mysteries and Charting New Frontiers

A groundbreaking study in 'Nature Communications' deciphers genetic roots of tinnitus, uncovering 29 new gene locations. Insights into synaptic...

Karl Strom on
Press Play, Risk Hearing: Unveiling Potentially Dangerous Sound Levels in eGaming

A new systematic review published in 'BMJ Public Health' sounds an alarm bell for the 3 billion e-gamers globally who may be at risk for hearing...

Karl Strom on
CES 2024: What’s New in Hearing Aids, Hearables, and Hearing Healthcare Tech

Here's a quick whirlwind tour of the most exciting hearing-related technologies featured at the 2024 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) on January 9-12.

Karl Strom on
Regular Hearing Aid Use Is Associated with Reduced Mortality, Says New Study

A new study published in the January 3, 2024 edition of The Lancet Healthy Longevity suggests adults with hearing loss who regularly use their...

Karl Strom on
Olive Union Launches Olive Max OTC Hearing Aids with Stylish Earbud Design

Olive Union has announced the introduction of its latest wearable, the Olive Max over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid, a 2-in-1 hearing device with...

Karl Strom on
New at CES 2024: Audio Radar Showcases New eGaming Experience for People with Hearing Loss

Hard of hearing and deaf e-gamers can now visualize key sounds like footsteps and alerts with Audio Radar, a product from Airdrop Gaming designed...

Karl Strom on
JVC Introduces Its First OTC Hearing Aid: JVC EHZ1500

JVC introduces the EH-Z1500, a Bluetooth-app controlled BTE hearing aid, marking the brand's first foray into over-the-counter hearing solutions.

Karl Strom on
Hearing Aids Can Halve the Risk for Cognitive Decline and Dementia; ACHIEVE Study Highlighted at ADA Conference

Researchers at the 2023 Academy of Doctors of Audiology (ADA) Conference presented insights from the ACHIEVE study, a game-changing 3-year trial...

Karl Strom on
FCC to Propose Rule for 100% Hearing Aid Compatibility (HAC) for Wireless Handset Telephones

The US Federal Communications Commission is considering a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking (NPRM) that tentatively concludes that hearing aid...

Karl Strom on
The Sound of Growth: Hearing Aid Sales Strong in Q3 2023 as Markets Normalize

After a flat 2022, US hearing aid sales have rebounded in 2023, showcasing steady growth. Most global hearing aid manufacturers are reporting...

Karl Strom on
Soundwave Hearing's Sontro OTC Hearing Aid Gains FDA 510k Clearance

Chicago-based Soundwave Hearing has announced 510k FDA clearance for its Class II Medical Device, Sontro Self-Fitting OTC Hearing Aids.

Karl Strom on
Eargo to Be Fully Acquired by Patient Square Capital and Become a Private Company

Patient Square Capital, the primary stockholder of OTC hearing aid maker Eargo, will purchase the remaining outstanding stocks and make it a...

Karl Strom on
Bridget Dobyan Named as Incoming HIA Director as Kate Carr to Retire

The Hearing Industries Association (HIA) has announced that Director of Public Policy & Advocacy Bridget Dobyan will succeed Executive Director...

Karl Strom on
Windows 11 to Directly Pair with Hearing Aids with Bluetooth LE Audio

Windows 11 will support use of hearing aids equipped with the latest Bluetooth Low Energy Audio (LE Audio) technology.

Karl Strom on
JVC to Enter OTC Hearing Aid Market

JVC will partner with micromedical device manufacturer Intricon and hearing aid app-developer Tuned Ltd to offer FDA 510(k)-cleared self-fitting...

Karl Strom on
Signia Launches Integrated Xperience (Signia IX) Hearing Aids: New Speech Enhancement Technology for Dynamic Conversations

Signia introduces Integrated Xperience (IX), a new hearing technology that tracks moving speakers, enhancing clarity in dynamic conversations. The...

Karl Strom on
ReSound Introduces Nexia Hearing Aids: A New Premium Line with Advanced Features and Auracast

ReSound unveils Nexia, a premium line of hearing aids with advanced hearing-in-noise features, Bluetooth LE audio streaming and compatibility with...

Karl Strom on
Italian Competition Authority Launches Probe into Italy's Hearing Aid Market

The Italian Competition Authority (AGCM) has initiated an inquiry into Italy's hearing aid market, citing transparency concerns. AGCM's...

Karl Strom on
Warner Tech-Care Products, Intricon, and Tuned Partner to Assist Hearing Care Professionals in OTC Hearing Aid Market

Warner Tech-care Products LLC has teamed up with Intricon and Tuned as the US distributor for the new Tuned Lumen 155 OTC self-fitting hearing...

Karl Strom on
Tuned AI-Driven App for OTC Hearing Aids Gains FDA 510K Approval, Paves Way for Future Self-Fitting Devices

Israel-based Tuned has secured FDA 510k clearance for its AI-driven self-fitting OTC hearing technology, partnering with Intricon to reshape the...

Karl Strom on
GN Hearing and Audio Divisions to Merge, Corresponding Leadership Changes Announced

GN Store Nord has unveiled plans to merge its GN Hearing and GN Audio divisions into a single entity, streamlining governance and bolstering...

Karl Strom on
25 Years of Redefining the Perception of Hearing Loss: Interview with Jacob Torpe Winter about the Oticon Focus on People Awards

Oticon's Focus on People Awards have a 25-year record of championing change and transforming perceptions about people with hearing loss. The Focus...

Karl Strom on
Cochlear Ltd Introduces New Osia OSI300 Bone Conduction Implant System that Enables MRIs at 3.0 Tesla (T)

Cochlear has launched the Osia OSI300 Implant, a new bone conduction system that enables 3.0 Tesla MRI scans without surgery. Piezo Power™ and...

Karl Strom on
Promising Solution for Pediatric Ear Infections and Related Antibiotic Resistance Developed by Cornell Researchers

Cornell University scientists have crafted a nanoscale solution inspired by bleach to combat antibiotic resistance in treating childhood ear...

Karl Strom on
Researchers Report Reversing Hearing Loss in Mice: A Breakthrough in Gene Activation

A new study demonstrates the reversal of hearing loss in mice through gene activation, challenging the perception of neurological disorders as...

Karl Strom on
Lumity for All: Phonak Extends Its Latest Technology to Naída, CROS, and Pediatric Sky Hearing Aid Models

Phonak has expanded its Lumity hearing aid line to include Naída for severe-to-profound hearing loss, Sky for children with personalized app...

Karl Strom on
Hearing Loss More Prevalent Among Older Medicare Beneficiaries than Previously Thought

A study published today in JAMA Network Open reveals that hearing loss is highly prevalent among older Medicare beneficiaries, surpassing previous...

Karl Strom on
Walmart Health to Discontinue Hearing Aid Sales and Hearing Care Services

Beginning August 26, 2023, Walmart will no longer offer hearing aids or hearing care services through its Walmart Health centers.

Karl Strom on
Hearing Loss Increases Severity Risks for People with Medical Conditions

A new study in 'The Lancet' shows that hearing loss is associated with a significantly greater risk for increases in hospitalization rates,...

Karl Strom on
2023 Hearing Technology Innovator Awards Call for Submissions

Hearing Health & Technology Matters has announced a call for submissions for the fourth annual Hearing Technology Innovator Awards.

Karl Strom on
Hearing Loss Increases Fatigue in People Ages 40 and Older, Study Shows

A new study published in 'JAMA Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery' suggests people with hearing loss are nearly twice as likely to experience...

Karl Strom on
Machine Learning May Widen Use of Tympanometry and Improve Hearing Screening for Children

Until now, assessment of middle-ear function for ear infections and hearing loss has been too complex and expensive to implement in many hearing...

Karl Strom on
UK Blocks Sale of Oticon Medical’s Bone-Anchored Implant Unit to Cochlear Ltd, but Approves Sale of Cochlear Implant Unit

The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has determined that Oticon Medical can sell its Neuro System cochlear implant to Cochlear Ltd....

Karl Strom on
Sonova Announces Its First OTC Hearing Aids: Sennheiser All-Day Clear and All-Day Clear Slim

Sennheiser All-Day Clear and All-Day Clear Slim are full-featured over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that also provide the option of support from...

Karl Strom on
Brain Recordings Shed Light on Speech-in-Noise Processing–with Implications for Hearing Aids

New research shows how the brain tackles the intricate task of comprehending speech in a noisy room, considering factors such as auditory clarity...

Karl Strom on
Apple Adds Adaptive Audio to AirPods for Smarter Conversation Awareness

Yesterday, at its Worldwide Developers Conference (WWDC), Apple announced Adaptive Audio for AirPods, a new listening mode that dynamically blends...

Karl Strom on
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids Shown Cost-Effective in Simulation Model, Says JAMA Study

In a cost-effectiveness analysis simulation, OTC hearing aids were found to increase uptake of hearing loss intervention and should be...

Karl Strom on
Go Ultra OTC Hearing Aids Debut on QVC Shopping Network

The Go Ultra over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid debuted on the QVC shopping network on Sunday, May 21. The new device is the first behind-the-ear...

Karl Strom on
Made for iPhone (MFi) Hearing Aids Will Now Pair Directly with Mac Computers

Apple today announced a suite of accessibility improvements in its devices, among those being that Made-for-iPhone (MFi) hearing aids can now pair...

Karl Strom on
Lexie B2 Hearing Aids Powered by Bose Now Stream Phone Calls from iPhones

Lexie Hearing will launch updates to their Lexie B2 Hearing Aids Powered by Bose, incorporating voice call streaming capabilities for iPhone users...

Karl Strom on
Hearing Aid Sales Vault Upward by 9% in First Quarter of 2023; OTC Comprises 1% of Sales for Largest Manufacturers

First-quarter 2023 hearing aid sales statistics from the Hearing Industries Assn. (HIA) were substantially better than anticipated with a 9.1%...

Karl Strom on
Artificial Intelligence (AI) and DNN in Hearing Aids: Getting Past All the Noise–An Interview with Whisper’s Andreas Thelander Bertelsen

Artificial intelligence (AI) and deep neural networks (DNN) are transforming how hearing aids perform in noise, quiet, and for healthcare...

Karl Strom on
CI2023 Conference in June to Feature (Re)Habilitation Connect Forum for Children and Adults with Cochlear Implants

CI2023 Cochlear Implants in Children and Adults will feature the (Re)Habilitation Connect Forum on June 9 at the Hyatt Regency Dallas Hotel in...

Karl Strom on
Phonak Slim Joins Lumity Hearing Aid Family, Combining Style with Performance

The new Phonak Slim Lumity hearing aid features a sleek new design with unique left and right fittings that follow the natural contour of the head...

Karl Strom on
GN at a Crossroads: Shareholders Reject Proposal to Raise Capital by Issuing New Shares

Reports from the GN Store Nord and its Annual General Meeting (AGM) held this morning indicate the company will need to seek other alternatives...

Karl Strom on
Getting Real: An Interview with Oticon President Gary Rosenblum about Oticon Real Hearing Aids

HearingTracker interviews Oticon President Gary Rosenblum about the company's newest flagship hearing aid, Oticon Real, as well as BrainHearing,...

Karl Strom on
Starkey Paves New Road for AI Revolution in Hearing Aids with Genesis AI Launch

Starkey Hearing Technologies believes its new Genesis AI hearing aid—and the chip platform powering it—will define AI-assisted hearing healthcare...

Karl Strom on
Hearing Aid Sales in 2022 Flatten Due to Economic Headwinds

U.S. net hearing aid sales in 2022 increased nominally by 0.8% in 2022, or about 36,000 more units than in 2021 when pent-up demand caused sales...

Karl Strom on
Frequency Therapeutics Abandons Hearing Loss Treatment Programs

Frequency Therapeutics Inc. has announced the cessation of its FX-322 and FX-345 programs designed to help people with sudden or noise-induced...

Karl Strom on
Will Apple Make an OTC Hearing Aid?

The hearing healthcare market is currently a moving target that will continue to gyrate to a disruptive beat. Although Apple won’t officially say...

Karl Strom on
Best OTC Hearing Aids of 2024: Price and Sound Comparison

Everything you need to know about over-the-counter hearing aids, including the 10 best performers for 2024.

Karl Strom on
Sonova Halts Hearing Aid Sales to Costco; Pulls Products and Brochures

Sonova, manufacturer of Phonak and Unitron hearing aids, has discontinued the sale and promotion of its products at Costco, according to sources...

Karl Strom on
Hearing Aid Sales Flatten in Second and Third Quarters of 2022

Through the first three-quarters of 2022, total U.S. hearing aid sales have increased by 1.9%, with private/commercial sales being flat (0.3%...

Karl Strom on
Costco Stops Sales of Kirkland Signature 10 (KS10) Hearing Aids

Costco, one the the largest distributors of hearing aids in the US, has discontinued sales of Kirkland Signature 10 (KS10) hearing aids, according...

Karl Strom on
CMS Expands Medicare Coverage for Cochlear Implants

The Centers for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) announced it will broaden Medicare coverage of cochlear implants (CIs) by removing the...

Karl Strom on
Sony and WSA Partner to Create an OTC Hearing Aid: A Rush for Consumer Electronic Giants into Hearing Aids?

The news that Sony and WSAudiology will deliver an over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid places a spotlight on previous branding partnerships between...

Karl Strom on
Apple AirPods Pro 2: Improved Hearing Aid Functionality

AirPods Pro 2 now offer better sound quality, more battery power, and noise cancellation for very loud sounds like sirens.

Karl Strom on
The New FDA Rules for OTC Hearing Aids: What Do They Mean for People with Hearing Loss?

The FDA’s rules for OTC hearing aids promise sweeping changes for hearing healthcare, creating a new class of more affordable and accessible...

Karl Strom on
FDA Clears Way for OTC Hearing Aids for People with Mild to Moderate Hearing Loss

The FDA's new rules for OTC hearing aids are designed to make amplification devices safe, affordable, and convenient to purchase over the counter...

Karl Strom on
MDHearingAids Gains FDA Premarket Clearance for Smart Hearing Aids and App

The FDA has announced that Chicago-based MD HearingAid—a manufacturer and distributor of online hearing aids with a professional online support...

Karl Strom on
FDA Final OTC Hearing Aid Rules Move Forward from OMB

The FDA’s final regulations for OTC hearing aids appear to be at or near the publication stage.

Karl Strom on
Lexie Partners with Bose to Offer Lexie B1 Powered by Bose Hearing Aids

The Lexie B1 Powered by Bose hearing aids will employ Bose's previous SoundControl hearing aid technology, allowing people with mild-to-moderate...

Karl Strom on
CMS Proposes Broadening Medicare Coverage for Cochlear Implants

CMS is proposing broadened Medicare coverage for cochlear implantation from ≤40% correct to ≤60% correct in the best-aided listening condition on...

Karl Strom on
MDHearingAid, Nordic Semiconductor and the Bluetooth SIG Demonstrate Auracast™ Broadcast Audio at the HLAA Convention

HLAA attendees were provided with information about Bluetooth's new Auracast™ Broadcast Audio technology by representatives from MDHearingAid,...

Karl Strom on
Custom Made by ReSound Hearing Aid Launched by GN: Interview with GN Hearing CEO Gitte Aabo

GN Hearing has launched their new rechargeable, iOS- and Android-smartphone compatible, Custom made by Resound hearing aid. Built for all-day use...

Karl Strom on
Bluetooth's Auracast Will Open a New World of Audio for Hearing Aid Users

Auracast™ is important enough that it could completely transform how Bluetooth hearing aids and other listening devices gain access to audio...

Karl Strom on
Costco Hearing Aids in 2024 - Models, Features, Prices, and Reviews

Costco uses its volume buying and distribution clout to offer lower prices for hearing aids than many private hearing aid practices.

Karl Strom on
Lexie Hearing Introduces Next-Gen B2 Plus Powered by Bose OTC Hearing Aid

The new Lexie B2 Plus Powered by Bose builds and improves on the previous B2s by introducing an optional in-app hearing test and a new convenient...

Karl Strom on
Apple to Launch a “Hearing Aid Mode” for AirPods Pro with iOS 18 Says New Report

Mark Gurman of Bloomberg has reported that Apple is planning to launch a "Hearing Aid Mode" with its iOS 18 launch in September. If true, it would...

Karl Strom on