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Eden Prairie, Minnesota (October 12, 2026) — SoundGear, a Starkey brand dedicated to hearing protection and hearing wellness, has received two Hearing Technology Innovator Awards recognizing SoundGear Phantom and SoundCheck Live for advancing the future of hearing protection and hearing health.

The recognition comes during Protect Your Hearing Month, an annual reminder that protecting hearing is just as important as treating hearing loss. As a global leader in brain-inspired hearing technology, Starkey continues to drive innovation across the hearing health spectrum, developing innovations that help people hear their best while safeguarding their hearing.

“These awards recognize more than individual products; they reflect a broader commitment to advancing hearing health through innovation,” said Michael Scholl, Chief Corporate Development and Business Officer and Executive Vice President of Corporate Relations at Starkey. "Starkey believes the future of hearing healthcare must include both treatment and prevention. SoundGear Phantom and SoundCheck Live represent a new generation of technologies that help people protect, monitor and preserve their hearing, further establishing Starkey as a leader in hearing wellness, hearing protection and hearing technology.”

Custom-molded for a personalized fit, SoundGear Phantom combines hearing enhancement and active hearing protection in a single rechargeable, Bluetooth-enabled device. It delivers a 22 dB Noise Reduction Rating and up to 30 dB of amplification, while automatically responding to sudden and continuous loud sounds to help protect hearing in challenging environments.

Phantom also features multiple listening memories, wind-noise management, adaptive feedback cancellation, and Bluetooth streaming for calls, music, and other audio, providing users with a seamless listening experience without compromising hearing protection.

SoundCheck Live empowers users to better understand their sound environment by measuring noise levels in real time and identifying potentially harmful exposure. By increasing awareness and encouraging proactive hearing health habits, SoundCheck Live supports Starkey's broader mission of helping people protect their hearing before damage occurs.

"Innovation in hearing health isn't just about helping people hear better," Scholl said. "It's about helping them preserve one of their most important senses. Recognition like the Hearing Innovator Awards reinforces our commitment to developing technologies that advance hearing wellness, prevent avoidable hearing loss, and set new standards for what hearing protection can achieve."

The awards underscore Starkey's continued leadership in hearing technology and hearing protection, recognizing innovations that help individuals stay connected, informed, and protected throughout every stage of their hearing health journey.

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.