A close-up image of a person sitting at a table, wearing a brown sweater and holding a small hearing aid device between their fingers. The focus is on the hands and the delicate electronic component, suggesting careful handling. The background is softly blurred, emphasizing the device and the person’s interaction with it. The lighting is warm and natural, creating an inviting and realistic atmosphere. The image conveys precision, accessibility, and the everyday usability of modern over-the-counter hearing aid technology.

MEMS Speakers for Over-The-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids

USound MEMS technology can be utilized in a number of applications, including over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. These are a new type of assisting hearing devices that do not require a medical prescription and can be obtained in drugstores and retailers for consumer electronics. They are a more affordable option for a growing number of people suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss.

OTC hearing aids have already entered the United States (US) market and are regulated by the Food & Drug Administration (FDA). The projections for the US market are highly positive, valuing it at more than 1.06 billion USD, with an expected record of more than 6.60% Compound Annual Growth Rate (CAGR) from 2023 to 2030.

MEMS Speaker Applications

Due to their small size, integration flexibility, robustness, and sound precision, USound’s microspeakers can benefit the design and production of:

True Wireless Systems (TWS) earphones

Augmented Reality & Virtual Reality Glasses and Headsets

Audio glasses

Ultrasound

Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) Headphones and Medical Devices

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids

A close-up photograph showing a pair of precision tweezers holding a tiny USound MEMS speaker from the Ganymede series, designed for MRI-compatible headphones. The miniature speaker component has a sleek, rectangular metallic body with a reflective surface, emphasizing its micro-scale engineering. The background is dark and softly blurred, highlighting the fine details of the component and the tweezers’ metallic texture. Below, a faint grid-like pattern suggests a high-tech or laboratory environment. The image conveys innovation, precision, and advanced acoustic microtechnology suitable for use in medical and MRI-safe audio applications.

OTC Hearing Aid Components

OTC hearing aids usually require the following components: a microphone that picks up sound, amplifier circuitry that makes the sound louder, a miniature loudspeaker (receiver) that delivers the amplified sound into the ear canal, and batteries that power the electronic parts.

USound MEMS Speaker Benefits for OTC Hearing Aids

MEMS speaker benefits for assisted hearing devices include:

  • Compact form for seamless integration into miniature devices.
  • Excellent audio performance and clarity for the most high-performing hearing devices.
  • Extended battery life for uninterrupted use.
  • IPX8 rating for water-resistant devices.
  • SMT reflow soldering for an automatic pick and place assembly.
  • Ultra-low vibrations and lightweight components for increased comfort.
  • Low heat generation for safe-to-use assisted hearing devices.
  • Drop-proof, robust design with 100% survival rate at a 1.9m drop test.

As OTC hearing aid devices require a miniature loudspeaker, USound speakers are the ideal OTC hearing aid component. They are much thinner than conventional speakers, offering the most compact design to be seamlessly integrated into the tiniest audio devices, allowing design freedom for additional components or for a more compact design. Moreover, our microspeakers are IPX8 certified and can be safely submerged underwater for 3 meters in depth for up to 30 minutes. They are drop-proof and generate extra low heat and low vibrations and consist of ultra lightweight components, increasing the user’s comfort.

USound MEMS Products for OTC Hearing Aids

USound offers a wide range of MEMS-based audio solutions for OTC hearing aids. Two of our products, the Kore module and the Conamara microspeaker series, have been specifically designed considering the specifications of OTC hearing devices.

Conamara UA-C0603-3F Datasheet

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