The Minnesota High Tech Association (MHTA) has named Starkey Hearing Technologies as a finalist in the Healthcare-Established category for the 2016 Tekne Awards for the Halo 2 Made for iPhone hearing aids. This Tekne Award honor highlights the continued technological and innovative success of Starkey’s Halo 2 hearing aids, which feature the quad core twin compressor technology.

Starkey Halo 2

Starkey’s Halo 2 group of products and accessories.

Designed to connect hearing aid wearers to the people and things they love most, Starkey describes Halo 2 as a true hearable that is revolutionizing how people hear and how hearing aids are perceived. Since its launch in March, Halo 2 has been honored for its innovative design and utilization of mobile technology to provide real-time lifestyle and health benefits by Inc. magazine, the American Business Association, and the Spark Awards.

“Halo 2 is exactly what we hoped, a wireless hearing technology that changes the perception of hearing aids and how people hear,” said Jason Galster, senior manager of Audiology Research. “It connects to everyday mobile devices — almost an extension of their phone or tablet — creating a personalized network of sound that’s under their control and infinitely customizable. This change in perception is motivating people to share their experience; public figures, like Daymond John, have opened up about wearing Halo 2 hearing aids, talking about the connectivity and custom features. When you hear this [positive] feedback often enough, you begin to accept the potential for this technology to alter how the public approaches hearing loss and hearing aids.”

Presented by the MHTA, the Tekne Awards annually recognize Minnesota’s best and brightest technology users and developers in innovation, development, education, commercialization, and management. A full list of finalists is available online.

“Each year, MHTA seeks out companies and people leading the way in innovation in Minnesota,” said Margaret Anderson Kelliher, president and CEO of MHTA. “These advancements are changing the way people all over the world live and work, and the Tekne Awards recognize those achievements.”

The 17th annual Tekne Awards program will be held on Wednesday, November 16 at the Minneapolis Convention Center. The event will be emceed by Paul Douglas, author, entrepreneur, and meteorologist. For more information on the 2016 Tekne Awards program, please visit the Tekne Awards website.

Starkey Hearing Technologies is a privately held, global hearing technology company headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. The company is recognized for its innovative design, development and distribution of comprehensive digital hearing systems. Founded in 1967, Starkey Hearing Technologies currently employs more than 3,600 people, operates 21 facilities, and conducts business in more than 100 markets worldwide. The company develops, manufactures, and distributes hearing aids via three distinct brands – Audibel, NuEar, and its original brand, Starkey.

MHTA is an innovation and technology association united in fueling Minnesota’s prosperity. We help bring together the people of Minnesota’s technology ecosystem and lead the charge in directing technology issues to Minnesota’s state capitol. MHTA is the only membership organization that represents Minnesota’s entire technology-based economy. MHTA members include organizations of every size ? involved in virtually every aspect of technology creation, production, application and education in Minnesota.

The Halo™ 2 Made for iPhone® Technology Shines at TechCrunch Disrupt

The Halo 2 from Starkey Hearing Technologies also was spotlighted at the 2016 TechCrunch Disrupt September 12-14 in San Francisco. Over 200 people stopped by the Starkey booth and were reportedly impressed by Starkey’s next generation of Made for iPhone hearing aids, Halo 2.

“Wireless headphones and earbuds have been emerging in this industry left and right, but hearing technology that offers both health and entertainment value is still new to this industry,” said Starkey Hearing Technologies’ Dr Kyle Acker. “Halo 2 is that technology. It not only provides real-time entertainment and enjoyment but also lead to positive overall lifestyle changes including overall health and well-being, mood, their job and social relationships.”

TechCrunch Disrupt is considered the world’s leading authority in debuting revolutionary technologies, startups and key tech innovators. The event gathers the brightest minds to introduce key tech industry topics and emerging advances.

Sources: Starkey; MHTA