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Students Launch $20 Hearing Aid to Combat Hearing Loss
7 Jul
Summary
- Amano startup developed a battery-free hearing aid for under $20.
- The device uses mechanical amplification, avoiding electronics and batteries.
- Ontario is reviewing over-the-counter hearing aid sales without prescriptions.
McMaster University students Arish Shahab, Aaron Yu, and Ramin Syed have founded Amano, a startup creating a revolutionary, battery-free hearing aid. Priced at an estimated $20 per pair, their device offers a significant reduction compared to traditional hearing aids costing thousands. Inspired by family struggles with hearing loss and its high costs, the team developed a purely mechanical, over-the-counter solution.
This innovative hearing aid amplifies sound through vibration, eschewing batteries, microphones, and electronics. Designed to be custom-fitted like an earbud, it aims to reduce the stigma associated with hearing assistance. The students are currently seeking approval for a formal study after initial testing.
Their work coincides with the Ontario government's review of allowing adults to purchase some hearing aids without a prescription. This initiative, part of the province's Health Innovation Pathway, seeks to accelerate new health technologies. British Columbia has already approved over-the-counter sales, while Ontario is still reviewing public feedback on the matter.
