Category Archives: ear/headphones

OTC Hearing Aids: A Retailers Guide, Part 2

Posted on 6 December 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

OTC hearing aids are not exactly sexy products. The customer base is anything other than trendy youth, and the sales incentive is more reluctant need than desire fulfillment. But just how potentially lucrative is the OTC hearing aid market? Read the rest … Continue reading →

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OTC Hearing Aids: A Retailers Guide, Part 1

Posted on 4 December 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

What, exactly, are “over-the-counter” hearing aids? What’s with all the FDA regulations? What are the types of products available? What is the retailer’s opportunity? Read the rest of this report here at TWICE.com.

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Reviewed: Elehear Alpha Pro – Affordable Multi-Function Hearing Aids

Posted on 10 November 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

The new Elehear Alpha Pro OTC ($999, now heavily discounted to $499) hearing aids capably amplify and clear up otherwise muddy sounds, especially voices, for those with mild to moderate hearing loss. With its Bluetooth music streaming and hands-free calling capabilities, the … Continue reading →

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Review: Sennheiser All-Day Clear – High-Quality Sound with a Catch

Posted on 6 November 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

Sennheiser’s All-Day Clear over-the-counter (OTC) self-fitting hearing aids ($1,399), developed with Swiss hearing aid maker Sonova, present a conundrum. They have the potential to be the best OTC hearing aids that can also serve as Bluetooth headphones, producing excellent sound quality untuned … Continue reading →

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Report: Consumers Willing To Pay More For Higher Quality Ear/Headphones

Posted on 12 October 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

Here’s good news for consumer tech retailers: your customers actually want to spend more money on true wireless stereo (TWS) earbuds and headphones. According to a survey conducted by Qualcomm of 7,000 consumers in the U.S., the U.K., Germany, China, India, … Continue reading →

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Tested: Can Regular Bluetooth Earbuds Be Used as Hearing Aids?

Posted on 7 October 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

During this first year that over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids became available, four major types of solutions for those with mild to moderate hearing loss have emerged: However, a potential fifth class of “hearing aid” has recently emerged – standard Bluetooth … Continue reading →

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SmartTechCheck Podcast: Apple WWDC 23 Recap

Posted on 20 June 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

A “feisty” SmartTechCheck podcast hosted by Mark Vena with myself and fellow tech journalists Rob Pegoraro, John Quain, and AppleDsgn’s Niels Van Straaten on the major themes coming out of Apple WWDC 23. Watch this podcast here on YouTube.

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The Best OTC Hearing Aids to Match Your Hearing Needs and Lifestyle

Posted on 20 June 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

You’ve grudgingly admitted to yourself that you don’t hear as well as you once did. You find yourself turning up the TV volume to the annoyance of your roommate, spouse, or kids, and/or resorting to closed captioning. You find yourself … Continue reading →

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What You Need to Know Before Buying OTC Hearing Aids

Posted on 20 June 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

There have been only around a dozen self-fitting over-the-counter hearing aids (OTC HA) introduced into the market since the new FDA OTC hearing aid regulationswent into effect last fall. These new self-fitting OTC HAs are designed to help compensate for the … Continue reading →

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Eargo 7: the Best (and Priciest) All-Day Invisible OTC Hearing Aids

Posted on 22 May 2023 by Stewart Wolpin

The Eargo 7 are the most natural-sounding, worry-free, comfortable for all-day wear, and invisible self-fitting OTC hearing aids currently available. However, I recommend them with one big caveat – they are significantly more expensive than other products in the over-the-counter (OTC) category. … Continue reading →

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