Anker announced its first over-the-counter hearing aids at IFA 2026, a move that could help fill a gap in the US market. The announcement comes just months after LXE Hearing, the parent company of Eargo and Lexie Hearing, exited the US OTC hearing aid business. Anker鈥檚 entry into the category may offer new options for American consumers who lost access to those two major manufacturers.
The new devices use a receiver-in-canal design, with the main body resting behind the ear. They are powered by Anker鈥檚 Thus chip, which was introduced in April and first appeared in the Soundcore Liberty 5 Pro earbuds. According to Anker, the chip provides strong voice isolation, a feature that could be particularly useful in hearing aid applications.
The hearing aids are equipped with four beam-forming microphones designed to focus on the person the user is speaking to in front of them. Anker says the devices offer up to 12 hours of use on a single charge, with the charging case extending that to as much as 36 hours total. A five-minute fast charge provides two additional hours of use, which the company claims is the quickest fast charge among its competitors.
Anker has not yet disclosed specific model names, US availability, or pricing for the hearing aids. The company indicated that more detailed information is expected by the end of the year. At present, the announcement provides a general overview of the product鈥檚 design and key features but leaves many practical questions unanswered.
The timing of the launch is notable given the recent contraction in the US OTC hearing aid sector. With LXE Hearing shutting down its US operations, the market has seen reduced competition among direct-to-consumer brands. Anker鈥檚 established presence in audio products, particularly through its Soundcore line, may help it reach a broad audience of potential hearing aid users.
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