iHEAR Medical Launching OTC Hearing Solutions in Drugstores Nationwide

Industry veteran John Luna appointed CEO to lead commercialization of iHEAR's advanced hearing solutions to wider markets

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iHEAR Medical

Apr 30, 2018, 01:43 ET

SAN LEANDRO, Calif., April 30, 2018 /PRNewswire/ -- iHEAR Medical announced plans to launch advanced over-the-counter (OTC) hearing solutions in major drugstore chains and independent pharmacies across the United States. The company also announced the appointment of John Luna as its Chief Executive Officer to lead iHEAR's expansion into mass retail, offering affordable, high quality hearing products to millions of Americans currently denied access to effective hearing solutions.

The TReO is the first prescription-quality hearing amplifier available over-the-counter in major drugstore chains and independent pharmacies across the United States.

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 drugstores in June 2018. The launch will expand to over 1,300 stores by the end of 2018, including major drugstore 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 and is eligible for FSA (Flexible Spending Account) reimbursement.

For more information on iHEAR, visit: http://www.ihearmedical.com

For more information on the iHearTest, visit: http://www.ihearmedical.com/ihear-test/

"I am excited to join iHEAR at this pivotal time in the hearing industry. Offering our advanced hearing solutions over-the-counter will break persisting barriers and improve the accessibility and affordability of high quality hearing solutions," stated Luna.

"We are pleased to welcome John Luna as our Chief Executive Officer. John has a proven track record of successfully commercializing innovative products," stated Adnan Shennib, founder of iHEAR and President of International & New Product Development.

John Luna brings over 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.

About iHEAR Medical, Inc.
iHEAR Medical is a venture-backed firm dedicated to addressing the global need for affordable and accessible hearing solutions. iHEAR is pioneering direct-to-consumer and OTC hearing solutions with over 50 patents issued and pending in its intellectual property portfolio. iHEAR's cloud-based platform delivers effective hearing solutions at a fraction of the cost of conventional products, bringing the price of customized prescription-quality hearing aids in line with prescription eyeglasses. For more information about iHEAR Medical, visit: http://www.ihearmedical.com/

CONTACT: [email protected]

SOURCE iHEAR Medical