NuEar

What NuEar does

NuEar is a hearing aid brand operated as a trade name by Starkey Laboratories, Inc., a privately-held hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, with roots dating to 1976. The brand designs, markets, and supports a portfolio of AI-enhanced hearing aids and a companion mobile application aimed at individuals with hearing impairment who need improved sound perception, social engagement, and daily connectivity.

The product lineup centers on two Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) rechargeable devices: the NXG AI mRIC R, a 24-tier premium model powered by a dedicated on-chip neural processing unit (NPU) for AI-driven audio processing with all-day battery life and water resistance up to 1 meter, and the NE Series AI RIC R, a 12-tier model built on Neuro Sound Technology. The Hear Circle mobile application provides Bluetooth-enabled control on iOS, iPadOS, Android, and Apple Watch, with streaming support via ASHA and Bluetooth LE Audio. Additional features include Edge Mode in-app optimization, fall detection with third-party alert contacts, and a Smart Assistant that routes queries to third-party services for response generation.

NuEar operates a channel-partner go-to-market: hearing aids are prescribed, fitted, and serviced through hearing care providers rather than sold direct. Revenue is generated through hardware sales of hearing aids and the adjacent professional services delivered through the provider channel. Customer support is handled in partnership with NationsBenefits. The brand's geographic reach extends internationally, with Starkey maintaining GDPR, EU-U.S., UK, and Swiss-U.S. Data Privacy Framework compliance and a Hamburg-based EU Representative, while in the U.S. it adheres to CCPA. NuEar employs 11-50 staff at the brand level, drawing on Starkey's broader manufacturing, R&D, and distribution infrastructure.

Name

NuEar

Legal name

Starkey Laboratories, Inc.

Website

https://nuear.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1976

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

NuEar is a hearing aid brand operated by Starkey Laboratories that develops AI-powered Receiver-in-Canal hearing aids and the Hear Circle companion mobile app, distributed through hearing care providers to individuals with hearing impairment.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hearing Aids

NAICS

Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510)

SIC

Electromedical & Electrotherapeutic Apparatus (3845)

akta.pro primary industry

Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL)

akta.pro secondary industries

On-Device Speech & Audio AI (wake word, ASR, enhancement) (HDAAAJAF), Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

Keywords

• Hearing aids
• Neural processing technology
• Receiver-in-canal hearing aids
• Bluetooth hearing devices
• Assistive listening devices

Headquarters

HQ city

Eden Prairie

HQ country

United States

HQ region

North America

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hearing Aid Device Sales: NuEar generates revenue through the sale of hearing aid devices, including the NXG AI mRIC R and NE Series AI RIC R models. Products are sold through hearing care providers who prescribe and fit the devices for patients.
2. Professional Services through Hearing Care Providers: Hearing care providers deliver professional services including hearing assessments, device fitting, and ongoing support, creating a referral and professional services revenue ecosystem.

Go-to-market motion2 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels4 records

Core offering

NuEar develops and sells AI-powered hearing aids—the NXG AI mRIC R (24-tier rechargeable receiver-in-canal) and NE Series AI RIC R (12-tier)—featuring dedicated on-chip neural processing units for AI-driven sound processing, water resistance up to 1 meter, and all-day battery life. The companion Hear Circle mobile app connects to the hearing aids via Bluetooth for personalized control, with compatibility across iOS 15+, Android 10+, and Apple Watch. Products are dispensed through a professional channel of hearing care providers who prescribe, fit, and service the devices for individual consumers.

Product overview

NuEar is a hearing aid brand under Starkey Laboratories, offering a portfolio of AI-powered hearing devices and companion mobile applications. The product lineup includes the NXG AI mRIC R (24-tier premium model) and NE Series AI RIC R (12-tier model), both featuring neural processing for enhanced audio. The Hear Circle mobile app serves as the companion application, enabling users to connect their hearing aids via Bluetooth to their smartphones and Apple Watch for personalized sound control and feature access.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• NXG AI mRIC R

Quantifiable outcome

• All-day battery life on single charge
• +1 more outcomes

Segments1 record

Ideal customer profiles1 record

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration3 records

AI capability2 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

One partnership is on record.

• NationsBenefitscoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorNationsBenefits provides customer support services for NuEar hearing aid customers. Customers can reach customer support at (844) 500-3019 for assistance with their hearing aid questions.

Scale indicators1 record

Recent moves5 records

Expansion highlights4 records

Direct peers

• Signia: Signia (part of WS Audiology, formed by Sivantos and Widex merger) produces AI-driven rechargeable hearing aids with companion apps sold through audiologists — directly comparable in product category, channel, and technology approach.
• ReSound: ReSound (owned by GN Hearing) is a global hearing aid brand known for Bluetooth LE Audio connectivity and mobile app control, sold through hearing care providers — directly comparable in connectivity-first design and professional distribution.
• Phonak: Phonak (owned by Sonova) is one of the world's largest hearing aid manufacturers, offering AI-powered receiver-in-canal and rechargeable hearing aids sold through audiologists — directly comparable to NuEar's product line, distribution model, and target customer.
• Widex: Widex (part of WS Audiology) manufactures premium AI-powered hearing aids with companion apps, sold through audiologists — directly comparable in product sophistication and clinical channel.
• Oticon: Oticon (owned by Demant) is a leading premium hearing aid brand using on-device AI/DSP for sound processing, distributed through hearing care professionals globally — directly comparable to NuEar's positioning in the professional channel.

Emerging players

• Eargo: Eargo is a direct-to-consumer hearing aid company selling rechargeable, app-controlled devices online without an audiologist visit — emerging player representing the OTC/DTC channel that competes with the traditional professional model NuEar depends on.
• Jabra Enhance: Jabra Enhance (GN Hearing's OTC consumer brand) sells app-controlled hearing aids directly online — emerging player in the DTC/OTC hearing aid space that competes with the professional-channel model NuEar relies on.
• Lexie Hearing: Lexie Hearing offers affordable, app-controlled OTC hearing aids sold online with optional remote support from hearing professionals — emerging player targeting the same hearing-loss demographic via a non-traditional channel.
• Bose: Bose entered the hearing aid space with SoundControl, an FDA-cleared self-fitting OTC hearing aid — emerging player applying consumer-electronics expertise to disrupt the traditional hearing aid category.

Broad incumbents

• Starkey: Starkey is NuEar's parent company and one of the 'Big Five' global hearing aid manufacturers, offering its own branded hearing aids plus sub-brands (NuEar, Audibel, etc.). Comparable as the underlying manufacturer and broader portfolio operator behind the NuEar brand.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat3 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/nuear

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

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 NuEar