Press room

Eden Prairie, Minnesota (May 8, 2025) – Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, has been named Best MedTech Company CEO by the 2025 MedTech Breakthrough Awards. Sawalich drives Starkey’s strategic vision by relentlessly pushing the boundaries of what’s possible in hearing healthcare—ushering in an Era of Excellence defined by bold innovation, industry leadership, and a people-first approach to technology.

Under his leadership, Starkey has transformed from a traditional hearing aid manufacturer into a trailblazing health tech company. “Innovation isn’t a moment—it’s a mindset,” said Sawalich. “At Starkey, we lead with purpose, we challenge the status quo, and we never stop asking how we can make life better for the people who rely on our technology to connect to the world around them.”

That mindset has powered a series of groundbreaking moves. In 2018, Starkey released the world’s first AI-powered hearing aid with integrated AI sensors, introducing industry-first features like fall detection, in-ear language translation, and health and wellness tracking. This shift marked the beginning of Starkey’s evolution into a company redefining hearing aids as advanced health devices.

Sawalich’s leadership has created a culture that embraces bold thinking and continuous improvement. Starkey remains the only hearing health tech innovator with fall detection technology, the most powerful processor in the industry, and the best battery life available. His long-term vision and commitment to innovation have not only elevated the company but also reshaped public perception of hearing aids—transforming them into tech-forward tools people are proud to wear.

With more than 1.5 billion people globally affected by hearing loss—and projections reaching 2.5 billion by 2050—Sawalich continues to champion accessibility, awareness, and technological advancement to meet growing global needs.

Chosen from more than 4,500 nominations, Sawalich’s recognition by the MedTech Breakthrough Awards affirms his place among the world’s most impactful healthcare innovators.

For more information about Starkey, please visit www.starkey.com.

About Starkey
Starkey is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Founded by Bill Austin in 1967, Starkey is known for its innovative design, development, and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Led today by President and CEO Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned provider of hearing technologies. The company has more than 5,000 employees, operates 29 facilities and does business in more than 100 markets worldwide. Learn more at starkey.com.