Hearing loss is one of the most common challenges of aging, yet it often goes unaddressed by those experiencing it. Hearing challenges are widespread among older adults: Nearly a quarter of those who are 65-75 and more than half of those 75 and older live with disabling hearing loss. Despite the prevalence of this problem, fewer than one in three older adults who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used them. Cost, stigma and complexity remain significant barriers, leaving millions struggling with daily activities, social connection and independence.
This September, in recognition of Deaf Awareness Month, the AgeTech Collaborative™ is spotlighting innovators who are reimagining how older adults connect and communicate. Across our ecosystem, startups are building technologies that move beyond traditional hearing aids and open new possibilities for support. From artificial intelligence (AI)-powered personalization to captioning glasses and novel approaches to speech recognition, these companies are shaping a future where older adults can stay connected and fully included in everyday life.
Concha Labs
Concha Labs is reshaping the hearing aid experience by putting personalization at the center. Rather than relying on repeated clinic visits and costly fittings, their AI-powered platform customizes any hearing device to the unique needs of the user. This approach dramatically lowers barriers to access for older adults, who often face long waits or high costs when seeking care. By turning an ordinary device into a tailored solution, Concha Labs is bringing precision hearing care directly into the hands of consumers — an innovation that reflects the broader AgeTech movement to make healthcare simpler, more affordable and more user-driven.
Tuned
With more than half of adults over 75 experiencing disabling hearing loss, access to effective solutions is critical. Tuned meets this need with FDA-approved, self-fitting over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids that are designed for ease of use and long-term success. While many OTC hearing aids include an app to support the initial onboarding, Tuned guides users through the entire rehabilitation process. This includes step-by-step video instructions, accurate self-administered hearing evaluations, a 24/7 hearing assistant, auditory training and habit-building tools, and even remote device adjustments by professional staff. This comprehensive approach removes barriers that often cause older adults to abandon their hearing aids, and allows providers to monitor progress and offer timely support. Tuned’s innovation lies in combining affordability, clinical-grade tools and continuous support to make hearing health truly accessible and sustainable.
Xander
For many older adults with hearing loss, traditional strategies like lipreading capture only a small fraction of what’s being said, which can make everyday conversations frustrating and isolating. Xander addresses this challenge with its XanderGlasses, which use augmented reality to display real-time subtitles of spoken words directly in the wearer’s field of view. Instead of relying on guesswork or withdrawing from social interactions, wearers can stay focused on the speaker and participate more fully in conversations. By giving older adults a practical way to stay engaged, XanderGlasses demonstrate how AgeTech can turn communication barriers into opportunities for connection.
Satellite Displays
Badger, from Satellite Displays, is the world’s first closed-captioning smart badge. Worn like an ID card, Badger instantly converts speech to text and can translate it into more than 50 languages. For older adults who are deaf or hard of hearing, this means being able to follow conversations in settings where traditional captioning tools often fall short — from medical appointments to community gatherings. Unlike screen-based apps, the wearable format keeps communication visible and accessible to both the speaker and the listener, making it a shared tool rather than an individual workaround. By reimagining captioning as a simple, portable device, Satellite Displays is opening new possibilities for inclusion in everyday interactions.
Voiceitt
For many individuals with atypical or non-standard speech, traditional voice recognition technologies fall short. Voiceitt addresses this gap with software designed to understand and translate spontaneous, non-standard speech patterns. The app works on any web-enabled device, offering both speech-to-text and speech-to-speech functionality that enables users to communicate naturally and access voice-activated platforms. While the solution serves a broad range of people, recent case studies highlight how it can also support deaf and hard of hearing adults who rely on speech, expanding independence and inclusion through technology that is built with accessibility at its core.
Deaf Awareness Month is a reminder that hearing loss touches far more than health — it shapes identity, community and how we age. Communication is central to belonging, and when it’s interrupted, the effects ripple across every part of life.
The innovators highlighted here are creating tools that expand access and reduce isolation for millions of older adults. Their work shows that technology can play a meaningful role in strengthening relationships, supporting independence and ensuring that aging is not defined by barriers, but by opportunities to stay engaged.
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