Quick Description of the Business
There are almost 600 million hearing impaired people in the world, with two thirds of those individuals living in developing countries. The availability and affordability of hearing aids and batteries impede solutions to hearing loss.
Solar Ear developed the first rechargeable hearing aid battery, which lasts for 2-3 years and can be used in 80% of hearing aids on the market today. It is solar powered and can be charged via the sun, household light, or a cell phone plug. Solar Ear also manufactures and sells the first digitally programmable and rechargeable hearing aids, which cost 10% of the market cost and meet WHO standards. Their products are made by the hearing impaired and sold to the hearing impaired in developing countries.
Major Milestones
- Products are sold in over 40 countries.
- Manufacturing facilities in 2 countries.
- Generated over USD$1,000,000 in revenue.
- In Botswana and Brazil, the project was directly responsible for the employment of 35 young adults with disabilities into other organizations, not including the 40 employed with Solar Ear.
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