Student startup unveils ultra-cheap, battery-free hearing aid to boost access

Three McMaster University students launched Amano to democratize hearing care with a battery-free, over-the-counter device that could cost about $20 per pair. The purely mechanical design amplifies sound without batteries or electronics and is shaped like an earbud to reduce stigma. After testing on about 50 ears, they’re seeking formal study approval and awaiting regulatory input as Ontario reviews OTC hearing aids; British Columbia has already approved OTC sales. With roughly 1.5 billion people affected by hearing loss today and up to 2.5 billion by 2050, affordable solutions are increasingly urgent, though experts caution OTC devices should include proper assessments to distinguish mild loss from other treatable issues.