As international trade policies continue to shift, major changes are underway in how over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids are made and delivered in the U.S. Here’s what to expect in 2025.
Fluctuating international tariffs are putting pressure on a range of industries, and the hearing aid sector is no exception. With essential components often sourced from global suppliers, the cost and complexity of producing these small but vital devices have increased noticeably.
In response, some leading brands in the space are to better manage this volatility. Shifting supply chains, domestic sourcing and a renewed focus on U.S.-based assembly are some of the key trends taking shape as the industry adapts to a new economic landscape.
Tariff policies in 2025 remain anything but predictable. Because of this, many U.S. businesses are now grappling with rising taxes on imported parts, particularly in the healthcare and technology sectors. This includes the hearing aid industry, which relies heavily on high-precision components sourced from Asia and Europe.
With policy changes occurring rapidly and often without much warning, companies are finding it increasingly necessary to safeguard their operations. For many, this has meant tightening international supply networks and taking a closer look at domestic manufacturing options to ensure long-term resilience and price stability.
Like traditional hearing aids, OTC aids are sophisticated devices that incorporate a range of miniaturized technologies from Bluetooth streaming to sound processing chips, and even moisture-resistant charging cases. The parts required to build these systems often come from specialist suppliers overseas, making them especially vulnerable to tariff changes.
As costs rise on imported goods, manufacturers are facing tough decisions: either absorb the increase, raise prices for consumers, or find alternative solutions. As such, a growing number are choosing to shift at least part of their production process to the U.S., hoping to maintain competitive pricing and better control over quality and delivery timelines.
“With tariff policies shifting rapidly and without warning, supply chain resilience is no longer optional—it’s essential,” said Ryan F. Zackon, the Chief Executive Officer of , a leading brand in the OTC hearing aids and hearing technology space. “This means that while businesses like Nano will continue to rely on valued global partners, they will also be proactively tightening their international sourcing network and conducting rigorous analyses of U.S.-based manufacturing opportunities. This is about ensuring long-term stability, improving speed to market, and safeguarding the customer experience.”
For companies that already design and develop their products locally, moving more of the actual production onshore can offer several advantages. These include faster time to market, greater oversight of the manufacturing process, and the ability to respond more nimbly to consumer demand.
In 2025, OTC hearing aid makers—like many other businesses—have seen that supply chain reliability is more critical than ever, and that domestic production provides a hedge against future disruptions, whether they come from tariffs, logistics issues, or global events.
As more brands pursue this path, consumers begin to see benefits in the form of better-quality products, improved availability, and lower prices in the long run.
