MDHearingAid
MDHearingAid is a Chicago-based direct-to-consumer manufacturer of FDA-registered OTC hearing aids priced at $197-$497 per pair, serving over 1 million US adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss through e-commerce, telehealth support, and a smartphone personalization app.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2009
- HeadquartersChicago, United States
- Headcount51–100
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What MDHearingAid does
MDHearingAid, Inc. is a privately held direct-to-consumer manufacturer of FDA-registered over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, founded in 2009 and headquartered in Chicago, Illinois. The company designs, assembles, and sells six hearing aid models spanning two form factors (in-the-ear NEO line and behind-the-ear VOLT and AIR lines) at retail prices from $197 to $497 per pair, positioning its products at 80-90% below comparable prescription clinic offerings ($2,400-$6,500 per pair). Each model integrates noise reduction, feedback cancellation, rechargeable battery systems, and (on premium tiers) smartphone app control via the MDHearing app for iOS and Android. Manufacturing occurs at a single ISO 13485-certified facility in Chicago, with the company's premium devices registered as FDA self-fitting class II medical devices.
The company operates a pure DTC e-commerce model: customers order through MDHearingAid.com, receive a 60-day risk-free trial, and access free telehealth setup appointments plus lifetime support from a US-based team of 15+ licensed audiologists and hearing specialists. A free online hearing test (under 8 minutes, designed by audiologists and sound engineers) serves as the primary lead generation and qualification funnel. Revenue streams include one-time hardware sales, recurring Care Plan subscriptions ($16-$33/month) covering damage/loss protection and accessory refreshes, accessory sales, and Affirm-based installment financing. The company has served over 1 million customers and sold more than 2 million hearing aids since inception, with marketing anchored by a Joe Namath celebrity endorsement and a 6,000+ review Yotpo platform averaging 4.6 stars.
MDHearing targets adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, a segment the company states represents 94% of Americans with hearing loss, addressing primary pain points of clinic cost, prescription requirements, and appointment friction. The company is privately held with no disclosed external funding, led by CEO Jen Trainor McDermott (appointed to reposition the company as a modern hearing-health platform), CTO Steven Maguire, VP of Finance Brian Jahn, and Head of Audiology Dr. Sandra Porps (Au.D.). Peer-reviewed research by company-affiliated audiologists validates product performance and app-based hearing assessment accuracy.
MDHearingAid firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- MDHearingAid
- Legal name
- MDHearingAid, Inc.
- Website
- https://mdhearingaid.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2009
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 51–100 employees
- Short description
- MDHearingAid is a Chicago-based direct-to-consumer manufacturer of FDA-registered OTC hearing aids priced at $197-$497 per pair, serving over 1 million US adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss through e-commerce, telehealth support, and a smartphone personalization app.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
MDHearingAid industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Consumer Hearing Aids (OTC Medical Devices)
- NAICS
- Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Home Diagnostic & Self-Test OTC Kits (HLAIADAO)
Keywords
Where MDHearingAid is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Chicago
- HQ country
- United States
- HQ region
- North America
Offices1 record
Markets served
MDHearingAid business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hearing Aid Hardware Sales: One-time purchase of hearing aids across six product tiers ranging from $197 to $497 per pair. Products include FDA-registered OTC hearing aids with various technology levels from entry-level to premium smart models. Individual ear purchases available at approximately half the pair price.
- Care Plan Subscriptions: Monthly or annual subscription plans providing protection and support services. Protection Plan at $16/month, Care Plan at $21.67-26/month, Care+ Plan at $27.50-33/month. Includes accidental damage/loss coverage, accessory refreshes, telehealth appointments, and priority support.
- Accessories: Replacement parts and accessories for hearing aids including ear tips, domes, tubing, wax guards, cleaning tools, and charging cases. Available through series-specific accessory catalogs.
- Financing Services: Partnership with Affirm offering installment payment options. Example pricing: $297 purchase at $26.81/month over 12 months at 15% APR. Revenue generated through merchant fees and potentially referral arrangements.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NEO - Entry-level In-the-Ear hearing aid |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NEO XS - Smallest In-the-Ear hearing aid |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | NEO XS PRO - Advanced Smart In-the-Ear hearing aid |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | AIR 3 - Entry-level Behind-the-Ear hearing aid |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | VOLT 4 - Most Popular Behind-the-Ear hearing aid |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | VOLT MAX 2 - Premium Smart Behind-the-Ear hearing aid |
| Subscription | Monthly | Protection Plan - Basic coverage |
| Subscription | Monthly | Care Plan - Essential protection and support |
| Subscription | Monthly | Care+ Plan - Comprehensive protection and support |
Go-to-market motion3 records
Distribution channels3 records
Marketing channels7 records
MDHearingAid product offering
Product offeringCore offering
MDHearingAid designs, manufactures, and sells FDA-registered over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids directly to U.S. consumers through its e-commerce website, offering six in-house assembled models in behind-the-ear and in-the-ear form factors priced from $197 to $497 per pair. The company bundles its hardware with telehealth-based audiology services, including free setup appointments, lifetime support from licensed U.S. audiologists, and remote fine-tuning via a companion smartphone app, targeting the 94% of Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Product overview
MDHearingAid is a direct-to-consumer OTC hearing aid company offering a portfolio of FDA-registered hearing aids designed by doctors. The product lineup consists of two form factors—behind-the-ear (BTE) models (VOLT MAX 2, VOLT 4, AIR 3) and in-the-ear (ITE) models (NEO XS PRO, NEO XS, NEO)—spanning from entry-level essential hearing aids ($197/pair) to premium smart hearing aids with smartphone app control and personalized sound customization ($497/pair). The company differentiates through bundled telehealth care services including free setup appointments, lifetime licensed professional support, and remote fine-tuning via a smartphone app. An online hearing test helps users determine suitability, and optional Care Plans provide extended protection, accessory refreshes, and annual health check-ups.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- MDHearing VOLT MAX 2 Premium behind-the-ear (BTE) smart OTC hearing aid with adaptive technology, personalized sound customization via smartphone app, dual directional adaptive microphones, intelligent noise reduction, intelligent feedback cancellation, and rechargeable battery (15+ hours per charge, up to 60 hours with charging case). FDA-registered as a self-fitting class II medical device for adults 18+ with mild to moderate hearing loss.
- MDHearing VOLT 4 Behind-the-ear (BTE) rechargeable OTC hearing aid with dual directional microphones, advanced noise reduction, advanced feedback cancellation, four sound environment settings, and a portable charging case providing 20+ hours of battery life per charge and up to 80 hours with the case. FDA-registered as a class I medical device for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- MDHearing AIR 3 Entry-level behind-the-ear (BTE) rechargeable OTC hearing aid designed for small ear canals, offering dependable sound quality, background noise reduction, feedback cancellation, and all-day comfort with flexible silicone tips. Battery life of 16+ hours per charge, up to 60 hours with portable charging case. FDA-registered class I medical device for mild to moderate hearing loss.
- MDHearing NEO XS PRO Most advanced in-the-ear (ITE) completely-in-the-canal (CIC) OTC hearing aid and the company's smallest model. Features personalized sound with custom-fitting technology, smartphone app control, improved background noise and feedback reduction, remote sound adjustments by specialists, and a rounded design for comfort. Battery life of 18+ hours per charge, up to 70 hours with charging case. FDA-registered as a self-fitting class II medical device.
- MDHearing NEO XS Smallest in-the-ear (ITE) completely-in-the-canal (CIC) rechargeable OTC hearing aid. Half the size of the NEO, fits completely inside the ear canal with flexible silicone domes for all-day comfort. Includes four sound settings, volume control, and digital hearing technology for noise filtering. Battery life of 18+ hours per charge, up to 100+ hours with charging case. FDA-registered class I medical device.
- MDHearing NEO Entry-level in-the-ear (ITE) in-the-canal (ITC) rechargeable OTC hearing aid. Sits discreetly inside the ear with flexible silicone domes, delivers dependable sound quality for everyday listening, with volume control and simple button operation. Battery life of 17+ hours per charge. FDA-registered class I medical device.
- MDHearing Care Plans Subscription care plans bundled with MDHearing hearing aids that include accidental damage and loss protection, telehealth and annual check-up appointments, accessory refreshes, dehumidifier/UV dry box, and priority support. Protection Plan $16/month, Care Plan $26/month or $260/year, Care+ Plan $33/month or $330/year.
- Online Hearing Test Free online hearing test designed by audiologists, ENT doctors, hearing aid specialists, and sound engineers. Takes less than 8 minutes, provides instant results, and helps users determine if MDHearing OTC hearing aids are appropriate for their hearing loss.
- MDHearing Accessories Series-specific replacement parts and accessories for MDHearing hearing aids, including ear tips, domes, tubing, wax guards, cleaning tools, and charging cases. Sold through model-specific accessory catalogs.
Quantifiable outcome
- 80% success rate for patients using free telehealth setup appointment
- +2 more outcomes
Companies that use MDHearingAid
Customer profileNamed customers6 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
MDHearingAid technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability3 records
Feature6 records
MDHearingAid partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Two partnerships are on record, tiered core.
- Professional Audio EngineerscoreCollaboration with professional audio engineers to design and develop online hearing test technology. Partnership enabled creation of 'world's easiest to use online hearing test' as primary customer acquisition and qualification tool.
- Audiologists, ENT Doctors, Hearing Aid SpecialistscoreMulti-disciplinary professional network involved in designing hearing test, formulating products, and providing ongoing telehealth support. Includes ENT physicians, audiologists (Au.D.), and licensed hearing specialists across multiple US states.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
MDHearingAid competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- Eargo: Premium DTC OTC hearing aid company offering self-fitting, rechargeable hearing aids sold direct to consumer online. Closely comparable product portfolio, business model, and target demographic to MDHearing, with a more premium positioning.
- Lexie Hearing: DTC hearing aid company offering affordable OTC devices with app-based self-fitting and remote support, backed by Bose. Direct competitor in the affordable OTC D2C channel serving the same mild-to-moderate hearing loss segment.
- Audicus: Online retailer of affordable hearing aids with subscription and financing options. Competes directly with MDHearing on the D2C affordability narrative, online hearing test, and remote-support model.
- Jabra Enhance: OTC hearing aids sold direct to consumer online by GN Hearing. Competes with MDHearing in the same price tiers and D2C channel, backed by an established global hearing aid manufacturer.
- Lucid Hearing: OTC and PSAP hearing aids sold online and through retail partnerships. Overlaps with MDHearing on product category and target customer, with broader distribution into physical retail channels.
- Audien Hearing: Affordable DTC hearing aids sold direct to consumer, often at lower entry price points than MDHearing. Direct competitor in the budget segment of OTC hearing aids.
- Lively: DTC hearing aid company offering online assessment, audiologist support, and direct device sales. Comparable business model and target customer; was acquired by GN Hearing, giving it incumbent backing.
Emerging players
- Olive Union: DTC smart hearing devices combining OTC hearing aids with consumer audio functionality. Comparable product category and D2C model, but with more emphasis on design and consumer-electronics positioning.
- Sony (CRE-E10 OTC hearing aids): Sony entered the OTC hearing aid category with CRE-E10 self-fitting devices. Comparable product category and consumer-electronics retail positioning, with substantially larger brand and marketing resources than MDHearing.
Broad incumbents
- Sonova: Global hearing healthcare leader owning Phonak, Unitron, and other brands across prescription and OTC channels. Comparable hearing-aid product category, with broader portfolio, retail/clinic distribution, and significantly greater scale.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
MDHearingAid social profiles
Digital presenceMDHearingAid compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance2 records
MDHearingAid financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
MDHearingAid leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles6 records
MDHearingAid funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
MDHearingAid M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about MDHearingAid
What does MDHearingAid do?
MDHearingAid designs, manufactures, and sells FDA-registered over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids directly to U.S. consumers through its e-commerce website, offering six in-house assembled models in behind-the-ear and in-the-ear form factors priced from $197 to $497 per pair. The company bundles its hardware with telehealth-based audiology services, including free setup appointments, lifetime support from licensed U.S. audiologists, and remote fine-tuning via a companion smartphone app, targeting the 94% of Americans with mild to moderate hearing loss.
Is MDHearingAid a public or private company?
MDHearingAid is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was MDHearingAid founded?
MDHearingAid was founded in 2009. It employs 51 to 100 people.
Where is MDHearingAid based?
MDHearingAid is headquartered in Chicago, United States, in the North America region.
How does MDHearingAid make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hearing Aid Hardware Sales are the primary driver. The others are care Plan Subscriptions, accessories and financing Services.
Who are MDHearingAid's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are Eargo, Lexie Hearing, Audicus, Jabra Enhance, Lucid Hearing, Audien Hearing and Lively. Emerging players are Olive Union and Sony (CRE-E10 OTC hearing aids). Sonova is listed as a broad incumbent.
Does MDHearingAid have an API?
No public API is recorded for MDHearingAid.
What industry is MDHearingAid in?
MDHearingAid's product category is Consumer Hearing Aids (OTC Medical Devices). Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACANAL, Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices, with a secondary code of HLAIADAO, Home Diagnostic & Self-Test OTC Kits. Its NAICS code is 339112 and its SIC code is 3841.