Lexie Hearing has made it onto Inc.’s list of the best companies in the health products category for 2024, thanks to its remarkable contributions to Accessible Hearing Solutions. And it’s been highly praised by the American media, being hailed as a “company that’s reinventing the industry”.

Lexie’s over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids, which are said to be produced with Bose’s manufacturing technology, have addressed the needs of 44 million American adults with hearing loss. They’re available through online channels, more than 14,000 retail stores, pharmacies, and insurance plans, offering audiologist-quality hearing benefits at a much more affordable cost.

For over 40 years, Inc. has been committed to recognizing the most dynamic companies that have outstanding influence on the environment, the industry, and society, and it also encourages both American and international companies to apply for being on the list.

It surely holds special significance that now an OTC hearing aid manufacturer has won this honor while the traditional giants in the hearing industry have remained silent. There are significant differences between OTC hearing aids and traditional hearing aids in terms of positioning, performance, and application.

OTC hearing aids are a new thing. In China, there’s no classified supervision for OTC hearing aids, and the concept of OTC hearing aids hasn’t been viewed objectively and fairly. Some industry insiders, standing on the side of traditional hearing aids, look down on OTC hearing aids.

Meanwhile, some other companies are just trying to ride the wave by using the OTC label, either exaggerating their products or passing off inferior ones as good ones, which has worsened the market chaos. 

All in all, OTC hearing aids are facing the embarrassing situation of being stigmatized just like their “predecessors”.

Abroad, Apple’s earphones, after upgrading their hearing aid software, have been classified as OTC hearing aids. We’re looking forward to seeing them pass the market test and prove themselves for the sake of OTC hearing aids.

Accessibility and affordability, which mean inclusive benefits for all, are what the whole society hopes for in the hearing industry and also the efforts that the hearing industry is making to seek breakthroughs.

The fact that the OTC hearing aid company has made it onto the list is yet another affirmation and support for this direction.