Announcements

The Twenty-First Century Caption Metrics and Usability Project studies the quality of TV captioning for news, sports, and other shows to improve accessibility. The project is seeking participants who will spend about 30 minutes watching short, captioned video clips, answering questions about caption accuracy, and rating the video clips. Communication access and compensation for your time are…

A Cleveland Clinic study presented at the 2025 ACIA meeting evaluated 113 adults who received cochlear implants outside of the FDA’s current candidacy criteria. The patients, treated between 2021 and 2024, often had better contralateral ear performance or higher speech perception scores than the FDA indications allow. Results showed consistent and significant improvements in speech recognition in…

Google is allowing newer Pixel phones to share one audio stream with more than one pair of headphones at the same time. Pixel 8 and newer phones can use Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast to pair two sets at once, or start a private broadcast that others join by scanning a QR code or using Fast Pair. Compatible headphones are required, with new support rolling out to several Sony models, plus…

Envoy Medical claims that the first 10 people in its Acclaim cochlear implant trial have completed their three-month checkups with no serious safety problems or unexpected device issues. The company says the study is on track and it still plans to file for FDA approval in 2027 if results support it. They allege that Acclaim is designed to be fully implanted inside the body. It is supposed to work…

Cochlear announced that the Nucleus Nexa system became available on August 26, 2025. The system bundle includes the Nucleus Nexa implant, Kanso 3 Nexa and Nucleus 8 Nexa sound processors, and Connected Care tools such as SmartNav, Custom Sound Pro, and Remote Care. The company describes the Nexa system as a “smart” cochlear implant system with upgradeable implant firmware and internal memory that…

The FCC extended the temporary method for testing volume control on hearing-aid compatible cellphones through September 29, 2027, or until a new standard is ready. This keeps accessible phones on the market that meet measurable volume targets, while work on the long-term fix continues in line with HLAA’s push for clearer, stronger rules. The new standard is being developed by the…

A new market research opportunity is available through Co-Design Connect on ICAAT. The Wireless Innovation Hackathon for Accessibility at the University of Pittsburgh invites individuals with hearing loss and/or other disabilities to share real-world challenges that impact them in employment, healthcare, and community living activities. The hackathon brings together interdisciplinary student teams…

Audio-Technica announced the Mimio Assist One earbuds and a matching TV speaker, designed for people who want occasional hearing help. These are Personal Sound Amplification Products (PSAPs), consumer devices that make sounds louder but aren’t regulated as medical hearing aids. They can be used by people without diagnosed hearing loss who just want clearer sound in situations like watching TV,…

The FDA’s August 4, 2025 update to the Accredited Persons list shows eight organizations currently recognized to conduct third-party 510(k) reviews for select medical devices, including hearing aids. This allows eligible devices to be reviewed by accredited organizations rather than FDA staff, potentially reducing clearance timelines. Authorized third party reviewers includes Regulatory Technology…

Envoy Medical announced that its pivotal clinical trial for the fully implanted Acclaim® Cochlear Implant is progressing on schedule, with all 10 participants in the first stage successfully completing their one-month follow-up visits. No serious adverse events or unexpected device issues have been reported so far, which supports the initial safety profile of the implant. The Acclaim is designed…