Audeara looks to reshape hearing tech as it prepares to scale up

Audeara and its CEO Dr James Fielding aim to revolutionise hearing tech with personalised solutions and global partnerships.

Audeara aims to reshape hearing tech image: Getty.

• Audeara plans to redefine hearing tech with its personalised solutions

• Global partnerships are propelling the company’s tech into new markets

• Licensing and growth are top of Audeara’s mind

 

Special Report: CEO Dr James Fielding and his team at Audeara are set on changing the hearing-tech game with personalised solutions, global partnerships and a smart licensing model poised for growth.

Hearing loss is a condition that often leaves many struggling to connect with the people and experiences around them.

Whether it's the gradual decline in hearing, or the stigma surrounding hearing aids, the issue often only becomes evident when it has already taken a significant toll on a person's life.

It's an issue that affects millions, and one that Dr James Fielding, the CEO and founder of Aussie company Audeara (ASX:AUA), knows all too well.

His journey into the world of hearing health started in 2015, when he was a junior doctor working in a hospital.

He found himself grappling with the disheartening reality of how often hearing problems were ignored – both in his family and in the healthcare system.

The frustration of trying to convince his grandfather to use hearing aids, even for something as simple as participating in family gatherings, planted the seed for what would eventually become Audeara.

“And what was my grandfather’s problem is now my father’s problem,” Fielding reflected.

But it wasn’t just that family experience that sparked Fielding’s drive, it was also a relentless need to fix a broken system.

While working in the hospital, he saw the frustrating bottlenecks that patients faced just trying to get a simple hearing test.

“A friend of mine was doing ENT surgery, and it took longer to schedule a hearing test than to see the surgeon,” the doctor remembers.

That glaring inefficiency drove him to take action, and he began to ask himself, why not build something better?

Unique technology

Audeara's core technology revolves around one key principle: personalisation – much like prescription glasses, which are tailored to fit the specific needs of each individual.

Fielding realised early on that traditional listening devices weren’t doing enough to truly engage users.

Instead of enhancing the overall experience, they often just cranked up the volume across the entire sound spectrum, failing to address the unique hearing needs of each individual.

So, rather than taking this one-size-fits-all approach, Audeara’s technology customises sound based on each user’s specific hearing profile.

The company’s Bluetooth headphones, which double as hearing test devices, are designed to adjust only the frequencies that a user needs to hear more clearly.

“Put simply, we turn up the ones you need, and then we turn down other ones.”

Audeara’s technology features a self-guided hearing test through an app, where users adjust the volume of tones until they hear them clearly.

For those who already use hearing aids or cochlear implants, Audeara’s headphones can be worn over them to enhance sound clarity.

Fielding and his team also work closely with audiologists to ensure the products meet clinical standards.

For many users, using Audeara products have been a true revelation.

“When you push the button and go from what you think is normal to an optimised listening experience, it’s like a light bulb moment.”

Tapping into global markets

Audeara’s journey has been shaped by various government grants and research and development funding. These helped turn what initially seemed like a far-fetched idea into a celebrated product.

“It’s been an absolutely chaotic journey over the last 10 years,” Fielding reflects.

Audeara knew it couldn’t follow the traditional path. Rather than attempting to compete in big-box retailers, the company carved out a distinct niche.

It partnered with audiology clinics and formed direct relationships with organisations like the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS) and the Department of Veterans Affairs.

“We stay away from the fight in big-box retail because you get chewed up. There are 100 headphones, and all anyone wants to know is battery life and price.

“Instead, for the audio retail market, we focus on our licensing business, AUA Technology, to put our tech into the hands of trusted global brands.”

Through AUA Technology, Audeara has already partnered with respected global companies like Avedis Zildjian, the 400-year-old iconic cymbal maker, and Clinico, Taiwan's largest hearing aid retailer.

With Zildjian, Audeara has secured a substantial US$917k follow-up purchase order, building on the initial $2.1 million order in 2024.

With Clinico, Audeara launched the co-branded "Clinico Sound Earbuds CS1," securing a $570k order while expanding its presence in the growing Asian markets of China and Taiwan.

Audeara has also expanded its presence in Australia, partnering with over 1,500 clinics through major audiology networks like Amplifon.

The company recently signed a reseller agreement with George & Matilda Eyecare, which will stock Audeara’s products, including the new Audeara Buds.

This is part of Audeara’s bigger plan to branch out into new sectors, like eye health, and offer personalised hearing solutions in more places.

“We’re tapping into new international markets and partnerships that align with our vision of making personalised hearing tech accessible worldwide.”

Positioned to scale

With those successful partnerships, as well as ongoing negotiations in Europe and the US, the company is setting its sights on global expansion.

Fielding is particularly excited about the potential of AUA Technology, which he believes will be a major driver of the company’s revenue and growth.

He firmly believes the licensing model is the secret to unlocking Audeara’s long-term success.

“The growth we see coming from licensing is massive,” the doctor explained.

“Australia and Audeara-branded products will continue steady growth, but licensing is where the real upside is.

“What we’ve done with AUA Technology is let big brands take our tech to retail. They’ve got the networks, they’ve got the resources, and we just need to provide them with the best hearing personalisation tech out there.”

“We're positioning ourselves to scale significantly.”

Fielding bought more shares of Audeara in late March and has since become the company’s third-largest shareholder.

For investors, he’s confident that Audeara is positioned for significant growth.

“I think we’re incredibly undervalued, and I’m putting my own money where my mouth is.”

“We’re still a small company, but that’s a big opportunity. The deals we’re working on now will pay off.”

This article does not constitute financial product advice. You should consider obtaining independent advice before making any financial decisions.