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Why Now

Why Now

OTC access changed where adults can buy hearing products, creating an opportunity to help people move from information to a trusted next step.

01 / ACCESS

The path is moving closer to home.

Consumers increasingly expect education, evaluation tools, purchasing and support to connect without unnecessary friction.

02 / TRUST

The category still needs explanation.

Clear language, honest status labels and reachable support matter more than polished claims without evidence.

03 / OPERATIONS

Lean teams need governed systems.

Automation can increase consistency only when sources, approvals and human escalation remain visible.

SOURCE-CONTROLLED CATEGORY EVIDENCE

The category is large. The path to action is still fragmented.

The category is large. The path to action is still fragmented.

38M

U.S. adults have reported some hearing loss.

29M

U.S. adults could benefit from hearing aids.

2.5B

People projected to have some degree of hearing loss by 2050.

2022

FDA OTC category took effect, expanding direct store and online access.

Sources: U.S. GAO GAO-24-106854 (2024); WHO Deafness and Hearing Loss; FDA OTC Hearing Aids guidance.

THE CUSTOMER PROBLEM

Too many disconnected decisions.

Learning, choosing, buying, setup and support often feel like separate experiences. Fragmentation weakens confidence before and after a purchase.

THE PLATFORM RESPONSE

One relationship, carried forward.

OTCHealth’s operating idea is to connect product access, digital tools, service context and accountable follow-up—without pretending every objective is already live.