High-Level Overview
Yes Hearing is a New York-based technology-enabled hearing healthcare company founded in 2019 that provides premium hearing aids from top brands at prices 40% lower than retail, paired with in-home audiologist services including testing, fitting, advice, and ongoing support.[1][2][3][5] It serves individuals experiencing hearing loss, particularly older adults seeking convenient access to care without clinic visits, while expanding into cognitive health and physical therapy to address broader wellness needs.[2][3][5] The company solves the problems of high costs, inconvenience, and low adherence in traditional hearing care by delivering affordable, professional services directly to homes, operating in 43 states with a network of over 400 specialists; it raised $10M in Series A funding in 2022 (led by Blue Heron Capital) to scale operations and is included in telehealth expert collections.[1][2][4]
Origin Story
Yes Hearing was founded in 2019 in New York by CEO Sam Shear, who launched the company driven by a personal mission to make hearing care accessible, affordable, and convenient for everyone, emphasizing quality of life improvements beyond just devices.[1][2] The idea emerged from recognizing barriers like high costs and clinic hassles in hearing healthcare; Shear expanded quickly, opening Yes Hearing Florida in 2020 and reaching 43 states by 2022.[1] Early traction came from its in-home model leveraging licensed audiologists, culminating in a $10M Series A round in 2022 from investors including Blue Heron Capital, Ensemble Innovation Ventures, Primetime Partners, Maccabee Ventures, and Gaingels, which fueled direct-to-consumer scaling and platform development.[2][4]
Core Differentiators
- In-Home Convenience and Full-Service Care: Delivers audiologist-led testing, fitting, advice, and support directly to patients' homes, eliminating clinic waits and ensuring personalized counseling for better adherence—beyond OTC hearing aids.[1][3][4][5]
- Affordability Without Compromise: Offers premium hearing aids from trusted manufacturers at 40% lower prices than retail through an efficient in-home model, prioritizing value for money and honesty.[1][3][5]
- Expert Network and Expansion: Employs over 400 honest, passionate specialists across 43 states, with rapid growth into integrated services like cognitive health and physical therapy for holistic wellness.[1][2][3]
- Technology-Enabled Platform: Combines online booking, virtual consultations, and home care tech to enhance accessibility, backed by $10M funding for product and market strengthening.[2][4][5]
Role in the Broader Tech Landscape
Yes Hearing rides the telehealth and at-home healthcare wave, amplified by the FDA's 2022 over-the-counter hearing aid regulation that boosted awareness but highlighted the need for professional fitting and counseling to drive usage and benefits like dementia prevention.[2][4] Timing aligns with aging populations, rising hearing loss prevalence, and post-pandemic demand for home services, positioning it favorably against competitors like Eargo and Audibel in a market shifting from clinics to direct-to-consumer models.[4][5] It influences the ecosystem by normalizing in-home audiology, partnering with health plans for integrated care, and expanding into adjacent wellness areas, contributing to telehealth's growth in senior health.[2][4]
Quick Take & Future Outlook
Yes Hearing is poised to capitalize on telehealth expansion and regulatory tailwinds by scaling its platform, deepening health plan integrations, and broadening into cognitive and physical therapy services.[2][4][5] Trends like AI-enhanced hearing devices, aging demographics, and value-based care will shape its path, potentially increasing its 43-state footprint nationwide while improving outcomes through higher adherence.[1][4] Its influence may evolve from niche provider to ecosystem leader in home-based senior wellness, sustaining momentum if it navigates competition and maintains affordability.[2][3] This builds on its core promise: transforming hearing care into an accessible lifeline for fuller lives.[1][5]