Audien Hearing isn’t just disrupting the hearing aid industry, it's rewriting the story of how people connect with life.
Family-founded, bootstrapped, and mission-driven, Audien was born from a personal frustration with a system that puts red tape over real care. The company has taken hearing wellness out of the clinic and brought it directly to people who need it by delivering sleek, powerful, stigma-free OTC hearing aids starting at just $98. The company was the first to retail with OTC hearing aids with Walmart, and has helped more than one million people with their hearing, to-date becoming the top selling OTC hearing air brand globally.
Audien's technology is built for everyone, cutting through complexity, eliminating out-of-reach pricing, and restoring something far more important than just sound: dignity, confidence, and connection.
Founding Story
Ishan Patel, Dylan garber, and Zack Hubbard all shared one thing in common: grandparents that struggled with hearing loss.
After watching their grandparents struggle to tune into conversations, and fed up with the hassle and prices of traditional hearing aids, they decided to take action.
Together, they embarked on a mission to revolutionize the hearing aid industry, inventing the world's first FDA-cleared OTC hearing aid to be sold in retailers nationwide.
Dr. Rachel Trinker is a nationally recognized audiologist and thought leader specializing in the complex intersection of hearing loss and cognitive health. With over a decade of clinical and academic experience, Dr. Trinker brings an authoritative yet accessible voice to the evolving conversation around brain-hearing science, an area she passionately champions as fundamental to overall well-being.
A vocal advocate for early intervention and inclusive technology, Dr. Trinker is committed to empowering individuals through education, destigmatizing hearing aids and assistive technologies, and spotlighting the vital role hearing plays in healthy aging.
Renowned for her ability to translate advanced neuroscience into actionable insights, Dr. Trinker has become a trusted spokesperson in the hearing health community. Her work explores how untreated hearing loss accelerates cognitive decline, disrupts social connectivity, and undermines long-term quality of life, making her a pivotal voice in reframing hearing care as a public health imperative.
As a frequent contributor to conferences, industry roundtables, and national media outlets, Dr. Trinker bridges the gap between clinical expertise and public engagement. Her commentary has informed consumers, healthcare professionals, and policymakers alike, offering compelling narratives backed by cutting-edge research and human-centered care.
Dr. Rachel Trinker earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Speech, Language, and Hearing Sciences from the Indiana University and received her Doctorate in Audiology at Montclair State University (MSU).
Ishan Patel
Co-founder and CEO
see bio
Ishan Patel is an entrepreneur with a decade of experience building online companies in the product, service, and health spaces.
Patel is the co-founder and CEO of Audien, a bootstrapped startup that started in a garage and has since grown to be the highest volume selling over-the-counter (OTC) hearing brand in the world. Patel created the lowest cost OTC hearing aid and made Audien the first hearing company in history to launch nationwide with Walmart.
Patel has been recognized as an Ernst & Young’s Entrepreneur of the Year in 2024, and a Goldman Sachs Most Exceptional Entrepreneurs of the Year in 2025.
