How the #1 Best-Selling OTC Hearing Aid Brand Is Expanding Access to Care: An Expert Interview with Dr. Trinker of Audien Hearing

Audien is the #1 best-selling over-the-counter hearing aid brand in the United States, having served nearly 2 million customers, more than any other OTC hearing aid company.
 

In an era where accessible healthcare is transforminghow Americans receive care, two innovators are leading the charge in their respective fields. GlobalMed has revolutionized virtual care delivery through secure telehealth platforms, while Audien Hearing has democratized hearing wellness through affordable, prescription-grade OTC hearing aids. We sat down with Dr. Trinker, Head of Audiology of Audien Hearing, to discuss how technology-enabled care is removing barriers and meeting patients where they are.

Q: What does it mean to truly expand access to care in healthcare today?

Dr. Trinker: Expanding access means removing the friction that prevents people from getting the care they need. For many years, accessing hearing care often involved multiple steps, including appointments, insurance navigation, and higher costs, which could delay or prevent people from addressing their hearing loss. At Audien Hearing, we've eliminated those obstacles by offering prescription-grade OTC hearing aids starting under $100, with no appointments required. Similarly, companies like GlobalMed are expanding access through telehealth solutions that bring care directly to patients, regardless of location. Both approaches reflect the same principle: healthcare should adapt to real-life patient needs, not force patients into more complex, high-friction systems.

Q: How does Audien Hearing use technology to simplify the customer experience? 

Dr. Trinker: We've pioneered accessible healthcare technology that puts control in the customer's hands. Our industry-first touchscreen hearing aid, the AtomX, eliminates tiny buttons that seniors struggle with. Customers can set up their affordable hearing aids in five minutes at home, no audiologist visit needed. We also offer free Audien Sound Check™ appointments with hearing specialists who provide personalized support remotely, similar to how GlobalMed enables virtual care consultations. These services are intended to support the user experience and do not replace clinical care. The goal is using technology not just to innovate, but to make hearing care genuinely easier and more accessible for everyday Americ

Q: Why is customer-centered innovation critical in the hearing care industry? 

Dr. Trinker: Because the average person waits seven years before addressing hearing loss—largely due to stigma, cost, and complexity. Customer-centered innovation means designing around real barriers, not internal assumptions. Our OTC hearing aids are built from real customer data, with proprietary hearing modes for restaurants, crowds, and conversations. We offer 45-day risk-free trials and have the lowest return rate in the industry because we've listened to what customers actually need: premium technology at accessible prices, exceptional service seven days a week, and products that work out of the box. Just as GlobalMed designs telehealth platforms around efficient patient workflows, we design hearing wellness solutions around how people actually live. 

Q: How do you balance innovation with trust in a healthcare-related business? 

Dr. Trinker: Trust is everything in accessible healthcare. We're FDA-registered, audiologist-designed, and backed by 30,000+ five-star reviews from nearly 2 million customers. We innovate rapidly, like launching the first touchscreen OTC hearing aid, but every innovation is grounded in safety, quality, and real customer benefit. We provide free hearing specialist support, lifetime customer care, and transparent pricing. Whether it's virtual care platforms securing patient data or affordable hearing aids delivering prescription-grade technology, healthcare innovators must earn trust while embracing change. That's how you build lasting relationships, not just transactions.

Q: What does the future of accessible, technology-enabled healthcare look like? 

Dr. Trinker: The future is about meeting customers where they are with solutions that prioritize simplicity, speed, and trust. Digital health tools have shown that patients value care that is convenient, accessible, and effective. A similar shift is happening in hearing care with OTC hearing aids. We're developing validated hearing screening tools, expanding our Spanish-language offerings, and building tools like our product quiz to guide customers to the right solution. These tools are designed to support access and decision-making, not replace clinical care. Whether it's virtual support or direct-to-consumer hearing care, the healthcare landscape is evolving toward more accessible, patient-centered care. And that's exactly where it should be.

About Audien Hearing: Audien is the #1 best-selling over-the-counter hearing aid brand in the United States, committed to making premium hearing wellness accessible to everyone. Learn more at audienhearing.com.