Press room

Eden Prairie, Minnesota (March 24, 2026) — Starkey has been recognized with two 2026 BIG AI Excellence Awards from the Business Intelligence Group. The company’s flagship Omega AI hearing devices have earned an award for advancing artificial intelligence in hearing technology, while Achin Bhowmik, Ph.D, Starkey’s Chief Technology Officer and Executive Vice President of Engineering, received an individual AI Excellence Award recognizing his leadership and contributions to the advancement of AI-driven health technology.

The BIG AI Excellence Awards recognize organizations, products, and individuals who are leading the way in artificial intelligence and delivering meaningful advancements that improve lives and transform industries.

“This recognition reflects Starkey’s relentless commitment to innovation and our belief that artificial intelligence can profoundly improve people’s lives,” said Brandon Sawalich, President and Chief Executive Officer of Starkey. “Omega AI represents the next evolution of hearing technology, bringing together advanced AI, health insights, and powerful sound processing to create smarter, more personalized hearing experiences. I’m incredibly proud of our team and of Achin’s leadership in advancing a culture of innovation and excellence in AI-powered hearing technology.”

Through a series of industry firsts, Starkey has been at the forefront of integrating artificial intelligence into hearing technology. The company was among the first to embed sensors and AI-driven features directly into hearing aids, transforming them into multifunctional devices capable of supporting both hearing and overall wellness. Today, Starkey’s AI capabilities enable hearing technology that automatically adapts to complex listening environments, prioritizes speech, reduces background noise, and provides health-focused insights that help users stay more active, engaged, and connected in their daily lives.

Under Bhowmik’s leadership, Starkey has significantly expanded its artificial intelligence capabilities, developing technologies that combine hearing enhancement with health and wellness features to deliver intelligent hearing solutions for millions of people worldwide.

“Artificial intelligence is reshaping industries around the world, and Starkey continues to demonstrate how AI can be harnessed to create technology that truly improves people’s lives,” said the Business Intelligence Group in announcing the awards.

This recognition further underscores Starkey’s role as a pioneer in hearing technology and its leadership in applying artificial intelligence to create smarter, more powerful devices that help people stay connected to the sounds and moments that matter most.

About Starkey
Starkey is a leading global innovator in hearing technology and AI-powered hearing aids, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. Since its founding by Bill Austin in 1967 and led today by Brandon Sawalich, Starkey has driven breakthroughs in unmatched sound clarity and machine learning and intelligent hearing technology. As the only American-owned hearing aid manufacturer, Starkey employs over 5,000 professionals across 29 facilities, delivering advanced hearing solutions to customers in 100+ markets worldwide. Explore our smart hearing devices and connected technologies at www.starkey.com.