iHear brings prescription-quality hearing amplifier to OTC shelves
iHear Medical this week announced plans to launch advanced over-the-counter hearing solutions in major drug store chains and independent pharmacies across the United States.
iHear will launch the TReO, the first prescription-quality hearing amplifier for OTC markets, and the iHearTest kit, the first FDA-cleared home hearing screener, in 500 drug stores in June 2018. The launch will expand to over 1,300 stores by the end of 2018, including major drug store chains and independent pharmacies served by leading wholesalers.
The TReO will retail for $299, compared to $2,400 on average for comparable programmable hearing devices sold in traditional hearing aid centers. The iHearTest will retail for $69.
iHear names new CEO
The company also announced the appointment of John Luna as its CEO to lead iHear's expansion into mass retail, offering affordable hearing products to millions of Americans. "We are pleased to welcome John Luna as our Chief Executive Officer. John has a proven track record of successfully commercializing innovative products," Adnan Shennib, president of international and new product development, iHear, said.
Luna brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the sales and marketing of innovative hearing health products, including executive and senior management roles at InSound Medical, Unitron, Bernafon, Sonic Innovations, ReSound and Phonak. Most recently, he founded Luna Family Hearing, a retail chain of 15 audiology and hearing aid centers, offering premium hearing aid products in the Pacific Northwest.
The OTC Hearing Aid Act of 2017 was recently passed into law to improve the affordability and accessibility of hearing aids. About 86% of Americans with hearing loss, over 30 million people, currently go untreated, making hearing impairment one of the most common forms of disability in the United States. The consequences of untreated hearing loss include lower income and higher incidence of depression, social isolation and cognitive decline. Recent reports have highlighted how hearing aid use can be a life changing experience for many.
iHear will launch the TReO, the first prescription-quality hearing amplifier for OTC markets, and the iHearTest kit, the first FDA-cleared home hearing screener, in 500 drug stores in June 2018. The launch will expand to over 1,300 stores by the end of 2018, including major drug store chains and independent pharmacies served by leading wholesalers.
The TReO will retail for $299, compared to $2,400 on average for comparable programmable hearing devices sold in traditional hearing aid centers. The iHearTest will retail for $69.
iHear names new CEO
The company also announced the appointment of John Luna as its CEO to lead iHear's expansion into mass retail, offering affordable hearing products to millions of Americans. "We are pleased to welcome John Luna as our Chief Executive Officer. John has a proven track record of successfully commercializing innovative products," Adnan Shennib, president of international and new product development, iHear, said.
Luna brings more than 25 years of leadership experience in the sales and marketing of innovative hearing health products, including executive and senior management roles at InSound Medical, Unitron, Bernafon, Sonic Innovations, ReSound and Phonak. Most recently, he founded Luna Family Hearing, a retail chain of 15 audiology and hearing aid centers, offering premium hearing aid products in the Pacific Northwest.The OTC Hearing Aid Act of 2017 was recently passed into law to improve the affordability and accessibility of hearing aids. About 86% of Americans with hearing loss, over 30 million people, currently go untreated, making hearing impairment one of the most common forms of disability in the United States. The consequences of untreated hearing loss include lower income and higher incidence of depression, social isolation and cognitive decline. Recent reports have highlighted how hearing aid use can be a life changing experience for many.