Anker has announced its first Anker OTC hearing aids, with a receiver-in-canal design, the company’s Thus chip and up to 12 hours of use. The hearing aids were shown at IFA 2026, but Anker has not yet confirmed exact models, pricing or a release date.
Anker OTC hearing aids bring the Thus chip behind the ear
The hearing aids place their main body behind the ear, with a thin receiver leading into the ear canal. Anker says the design uses four beam-forming microphones to focus on the person speaking in front of the wearer. The company has already used its Thus chip in Soundcore earbuds, where it handles local audio processing and voice isolation.
The chip was announced in April as a compute-in-memory processor for audio devices. The Verge reported that Anker designed Thus to run complex AI calculations with less power, which is useful in small devices that have limited battery capacity.
Battery life and release details
Anker claims up to 12 hours of use from the hearing aids, or up to 36 hours with the charging case. A five-minute fast charge is said to add two hours of use. The Verge’s IFA 2026 report says the company expects to share more information by the end of the year.
There is no confirmed US availability or price yet, and Anker’s UAE store does not list the hearing aids at the time of writing. That means there is no verified UAE price or local launch date to report. The existing Anker store does list Soundcore earbuds using the Thus chip, but those are conventional audio products rather than hearing aids.
OTC hearing aids are designed to be bought and fitted without the same specialist process as prescription hearing aids, although buyers should still seek professional advice where appropriate. Anker’s announcement is an early look at the product rather than a full launch, so details such as hearing profiles, fitting options and regional approvals remain unconfirmed.
What are Anker OTC hearing aids?
They are Anker’s first over-the-counter hearing aids. The announced design is receiver-in-canal, with the main body behind the ear and a thin receiver leading into the ear canal.
How long do Anker’s hearing aids last?
Anker claims up to 12 hours of use from the hearing aids, or up to 36 hours with the charging case. A five-minute fast charge is said to add two hours of use.
When will Anker OTC hearing aids launch in the UAE?
Anker has not confirmed a release date, UAE availability or pricing. The hearing aids were not listed on Anker’s UAE store when checked.
