What if the future of hearing technology doesn’t sit inside the ear at all? At CES 2026, one of the most important trends was the rapid rise of open-ear hearing devices — from smart hearing glasses and clip-on assistive audio to bone-conduction and hybrid speaker systems.

In this special recap, Andrew Bellavia explores how companies including Cearvol, Knowles, xMEMS, Mimi, Absolute Audio Labs, and others are driving the convergence of consumer audio and hearing healthcare. The episode also examines major advances in AI noise reduction, beamforming, MEMS speakers, and licensable hearing software, technologies that are enabling new crossover devices capable of supporting hearing, music, and everyday listening in a single platform. While hearing technology may not dominate CES headlines, the innovations showcased here point toward a future where intelligent, personalized hearing solutions become more accessible across a wide range of devices and price points.Be sure to subscribe to our channel for the latest episodes each week and follow This Week in Hearing on LinkedIn, Instagram and X.

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