The company’s Omega AI hearing technology and president and CEO Brandon Sawalich were recognized for product and individual innovation.
Starkey has received two honors from the 2026 BIG Innovation Awards presented by the Business Intelligence Group. The company’s Omega AI hearing aid was recognized for product innovation, and President and CEO Brandon Sawalich was named the Overall Winner in the Individual category.
The awards follow the October 2025 global launch of Omega AI, which the company reports is its most successful product introduction to date and has contributed to record performance across global markets.
“Innovation at Starkey means setting the standard for what hearing technology can achieve,” says Sawalich, in a release. “Our leadership in AI, sound quality, and health and wellness capabilities is grounded in decades of experience and continues to drive the future of hearing healthcare. Omega AI reflects our commitment to lead the industry with technology that delivers real-world results and meaningful impact for people around the globe.”
Omega AI Technology and Features
Powered by a next-generation processor and a deep neural network (DNN) accelerator, Omega AI features a DNN-powered directionality system designed to adapt to complex listening environments. The hearing aid also has a waterproof design.
Beyond its sound processing capabilities, Omega AI integrates health and wellness functionalities. The platform includes personal health monitoring, fall detection, and a balance assessment and builder tool. Through the My Starkey app, it also offers real-time language translation across 78 languages. The system features TeleHear AI, a generative AI assistant for hearing aids, designed to help users resolve common issues with 93% accuracy when a hearing professional is not immediately available.
Sawalich began his career at Starkey in 1994 and has held leadership roles in marketing, sales, and customer service before becoming president and CEO. He also serves as board chair of the Hearing Industries Association.
