What Soundly does

Soundly is a Los Angeles-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce and informational platform for hearing health, founded in 2020 by Blake Cadwell after his own frustrating search for hearing aids. The company operates a curated marketplace of more than 50 hearing aid brands spanning budget OTC devices (~$99-$500/pair), mid-tier OTC products ($800-$1,200/pair, the stated best-selling band), premium OTC and telehealth models ($1,195-$2,950/pair), and prescription hearing aids ($2,998-$7,000+) routed through a network of 6,500+ licensed audiologists and hearing clinics. The platform's core technology combines editorial product reviews, a free online hearing assessment that produces audiogram-style visual output, side-by-side comparison tools, and an OpenAI-powered "Ask Soundly" chatbot that synthesizes product manuals and editorial content. Soundly's research team conducts 200+ hours of product testing per month, including live audio testing in a professional audiology test box, generating the editorial and data backbone that drives organic SEO traffic and conversions.

Soundly's business model operates through two primary revenue streams: (1) transaction fees/margins on OTC hearing aid sales fulfilled via partnerships with manufacturers (Sennheiser, Sony, Lexie/Bose, Jabra, Eargo, etc.) who ship directly to consumers through Soundly's website or phone/text sales team, with payment processing handled by Stripe; and (2) affiliate referral fees when consumers with complex hearing needs are routed to the company's nationwide audiologist network for prescription care. The company is 100% independently owned, operates only in the United States, and accepts HSA/FSA payments on all OTC devices. Marketing is content-first and organic: SEO-optimized editorial guides, a YouTube channel, earned media from major national publications (NYT, WSJ, Forbes, Fortune, Fast Company, Washington Post, AARP, LA Times, CNET, TechCrunch), and community initiatives such as a 2022 Roblox hearing aid collection designed to normalize hearing technology for children. The company claims 2 million+ annual visitors and 200K+ monthly readers, with a high proportion of customer acquisition attributed to word-of-mouth referrals.

Name

Soundly

Legal name

Soundly, Inc.

Website

https://soundly.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2020

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1–10 employees

Short description

Soundly is a Los Angeles-based direct-to-consumer e-commerce and informational platform that helps U.S. consumers research, compare, and purchase OTC and prescription hearing aids from 50+ brands, while routing complex cases to its network of 6,500+ licensed audiologists.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Consumer Hearing Health E-Commerce

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)

SIC

Retail-Radio, Tv & Consumer Electronics Stores (5731)

akta.pro primary industry

Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hearables (True Wireless Earbuds & Smart Headphones) (CRACAIAD), Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

Keywords

• OTC hearing aids
• Hearing health platform
• Online hearing test
• Audiologist referral network
• Hearing aid comparison marketplace

Headquarters

HQ city

Los Angeles

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Digital Commerce or Content

Cost components

Personnel, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Operations, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. E-commerce product sales (OTC hearing aids and accessories): Soundly acts as an e-commerce retailer for OTC hearing aids and related products. Customers purchase directly through the Soundly website or over the phone. Soundly fulfills orders in partnership with third-party sellers/manufacturers who handle shipping and returns. Revenue is generated as a take-rate or margin on each transaction.
2. Referral to audiologists and hearing clinics: Soundly connects consumers requiring prescription or in-person care to a network of 6,500+ local hearing health practices. Consumers requesting clinical services are referred to licensed audiologists, with Soundly acting as the referral/intake platform.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Soundly is a direct-to-consumer hearing health e-commerce and informational platform that aggregates expert product reviews, offers a free online hearing assessment, and enables side-by-side comparison of 50+ over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription hearing aid brands. The platform sells OTC hearing aids directly to consumers via its website and phone/text, and refers consumers needing clinical care to its network of 6,500+ licensed audiologists and hearing clinics. Revenue is generated through e-commerce margin on hearing aid sales and affiliate-style referrals to prescription care providers.

Product overview

Soundly is a hearing health e-commerce and informational platform that serves as a one-stop destination for hearing care. The platform offers a comparison marketplace for over-the-counter (OTC) and prescription hearing aids from major brands like Sennheiser, Sony, Lexie, Eargo, Jabra, Phonak, Signia, and Oticon. Key services include a free online hearing test with audiogram-style results, product comparison tools for 50+ hearing aid brands, an audiologist search portal connecting users to 4,000+ local providers, and an AI-powered chat feature called 'Ask Soundly'. The company generates revenue through sales of hearing aids from partner manufacturers, offering both OTC products ($249-$2,199) and prescription devices ($2,998-$4,098+).

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Elehear Beyond Budget-friendly behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid with Bluetooth streaming, rechargeable battery, and tinnitus masking, priced at $399 per pair. Sold to consumers seeking affordable self-fit hearing support.
• Sennheiser All Day Clear Behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid made by Sonova with premium sound quality, 18–20 hour battery life, and Bluetooth streaming for iPhone and Android, priced at $999 per pair.
• Sony CRE-C20 Nearly invisible in-the-ear OTC hearing aid with 28-hour battery life and self-fitting through a Sony smartphone app, priced at $999 per pair.
• Lexie B2+ Powered by Bose Behind-the-ear OTC hearing aid with Bose technology for noise management, 18-hour battery life, and Bluetooth streaming for iPhone and Android, priced at $999 per pair.
• Lexie H1 Hearing Buds Hybrid OTC hearing buds combining hearing aid technology with premium wireless earbud functionality including Active Noise Cancellation, priced at $329 per pair.
• Eargo 8 Nearly invisible in-ear OTC hearing aid with rechargeable battery, IP68 rating, and remote support through app, priced at $2,199 per pair.
• Nuance Audio Glasses Stylish glasses with built-in directional microphones and speakers for hearing support without in-ear components, priced at $699–$1,200.
• Jabra Enhance Select 700 Premium OTC hearing aid with remote audiology support and professional fine-tuning without clinic visit, priced at $1,995 per pair.
• Phonak Audéo Infinio Sphere AI-powered prescription hearing aid with dedicated AI chip for noise reduction and industry-leading speech clarity, priced at $2,998–$4,098 per pair.
• Signia Pure Charge&Go IX Versatile prescription hearing aid with Integrated Xperience technology for speech isolation, up to 36-hour battery life, and Bluetooth streaming for iPhone and Android, priced at $2,998–$4,098 per pair.
• Oticon Zeal Nearly invisible prescription hearing aid with Bluetooth streaming and rechargeable battery, featuring 20–24 hours per charge, priced at $4,098 per pair.
• Online Hearing Test Free 5-minute online hearing assessment that produces visual graphs revealing the shape or severity of hearing loss with an audiogram-style chart. Explicitly non-medical and non-clinical.
• Product Comparison Tools E-commerce environment for comparing over 50 hearing aid brands and products side-by-side, covering both OTC and prescription options.
• Audiologist Search Portal Search portal connecting consumers with over 4,000 local hearing health practices across the country for in-person care referrals.

Quantifiable outcome

• Over 2 million people visited Soundly in 2024 to take hearing tests, research options, and purchase products.
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration2 records

AI capability4 records

Feature2 records

Partnerships

Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Stripe, Inc.coreTechnology or IntegrationStripe serves as Soundly's third-party payment processor for all e-commerce transactions. By purchasing through Soundly, customers agree to be bound by Stripe's Privacy Policy and Terms of Service. Soundly and Stripe share payment information to the minimum extent required to complete transactions.
• TrebleHealthcoreTechnology or IntegrationSoundly has partnered with TrebleHealth to provide the 'Product Chat' feature — an AI chatbot accessible during business hours that offers general educational information about hearing health products and services. TrebleHealth handles chat communications on Soundly's behalf. The chat does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment.
• Audiologist and Hearing Clinic NetworkcoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSoundly's audiologist search portal provides access to 4,000+ local hearing health practices. Consumers who need prescription hearing aids or in-person care can request a referral, and Soundly shares their contact information with the selected clinic. The About page states a network of 6,500+ providers. Direct care and appointment scheduling is handled by the clinic, not Soundly.
• Roblox (via designer @0929Lego)minorStrategic or Co-development PartnerSoundly collaborated with Roblox designer @0929Lego to create a colorful hearing aid collection for Roblox avatars. The collection of six hearing aid designs — including 'Spike' and 'Pink Fuzz' — was launched in summer 2022 to normalize hearing aids and address stigma among the 50M+ children who play Roblox daily. The initiative is a community and awareness campaign rather than a commercial product.
• Sennheiser (by Sonova)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSennheiser All Day Clear ($999/pair) is Soundly's top-selling and best-rated OTC hearing aid. Soundly acts as an authorized retailer for Sennheiser OTC hearing aids, offering complimentary setup calls, free 2-day shipping, and 45-day price protection on all Sennheiser products sold through the platform.
• Sony (by WSA)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSony CRE-C20 ($999/pair) is Soundly's top-selling in-ear OTC hearing aid. Soundly is an authorized retailer for Sony hearing aids, offering complimentary setup sessions and free 2-day shipping. Sony partners with WSA (the world's third-largest hearing aid manufacturer) for design and production.
• Lexie (Powered by Bose)coreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorLexie B2+ Powered by Bose ($999/pair) and Lexie H1 Hearing Buds ($329/pair) are sold through Soundly's platform. Lexie is the volume leader in the OTC hearing market with wide retail availability, and Soundly serves as an authorized online retailer offering the brand with added customer support and setup services.

Scale indicators8 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Audicus: Online retailer of hearing aids (OTC and prescription) with tele-audiology support and direct-to-consumer shipping. Closely comparable to Soundly's e-commerce-plus-care model and shares the same target customer.
• ZipHearing: Online hearing aid comparison and discount retailer offering major brands (Phonak, Signia, Oticon, Resound) at lower prices than brick-and-mortar clinics. Same DTC hearing-aid funnel Soundly competes in.
• Hearing Tracker: Consumer-facing comparison and review platform for hearing aids and hearing care providers. Overlaps directly with Soundly's product comparison, provider directory, and consumer reviews.
• Yes Hearing: Direct-to-consumer hearing aid retailer with telehealth programming and remote audiology support, mirroring Soundly's online-purchase-with-virtual-care funnel.

Broad incumbents

• Eargo: Public hearing aid manufacturer with its own DTC channel (Eargo 8 carried by Soundly). Comparable as a vertically integrated hearing-aid brand and competitor retailer.
• Lexie Hearing (by Bose): DTC hearing aid brand powered by Bose technology with retail availability nationwide. Carried by Soundly and competes on the same OTC shelf.
• Jabra Enhance: Premium OTC/telehealth hearing aid brand from GN Hearing with its own direct-to-consumer e-commerce site. Competes with Soundly both as a brand and as a retail channel (Enhance Select 700 sold via Soundly).
• Bose Hear (Hearphones / SoundControl): Consumer audio incumbent with FDA-cleared hearing aids; Bose technology underpins Lexie products sold through Soundly. Represents the consumer-electronics adjacency and category competition.

Emerging players

• Nuheara: Smart-hearing earbud company (HP Hearing Pro, IQbuds) targeting the hearables/consumer-tech-audio crossover. Overlaps with Soundly's coverage of the earbud-as-hearing-aid category.

Others

• AARP Hearing Center: Editorial resource for the 50+ demographic that covers hearing health and connects members with hearing aid offers. Cited by Soundly as earned-media coverage and competes for the same information-seeker audience.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat4 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/hearsoundly
• Facebookfacebook.com/SoundlyHearing
• Instagraminstagram.com/hearsoundly
• TikToktiktok.com/@hearsoundly
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/soundly-inc

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Soundly