Aynak Tests Smart Glasses to Assist With Hearing Loss
The San Diego startup plans to bring its $700 AI-powered frames to market in summer 2027 following expected FDA clearance.
Updated on Oct. 31, 2026 in Consumer Electronics
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San Diego startup Aynak is testing smart glasses prototypes that use local AI to process audio and amplify sounds within a 2-meter radius. The device is currently in the research-stage, with the company targeting a $700 commercial launch in summer 2027.
Why it matters
As hearing loss affects an estimated 1 in 8 people over the age of 12, developers are increasingly looking to consumer hardware as a potential alternative to traditional medical hearing aids. Aynak aims to address this market by integrating signal processing directly into wearable frames.
The device weighs under 42 grams and contains a suite of microphones, a camera, a circuit board, two speakers, and an onboard battery. All data is processed locally on the device rather than in the cloud, and the companion app allows users to create custom hearing profiles to boost specific frequencies.
The players
Aynak
A San Diego-based startup focused on developing AI-powered smart glasses for sound amplification.
Ramesh Chandrasekhar
The founder of Aynak who previously served a 26-year tenure at Qualcomm.
The details
The glasses use artificial intelligence to scan faces, identifying speakers and determining whether a conversation is directed at the wearer. This allows the system to focus sound amplification within a 2-meter radius. The onboard circuit board handles all audio processing, distinguishing the device from cloud-reliant wearable tech.
Timeline
2024: Ramesh Chandrasekhar founded Aynak.
- 2026-10-31
Aynak recruited San Diego participants to test prototypes.
Summer 2027: Planned FDA clearance and commercial market entry.
The Tech Race
Aynak joins a growing cohort of companies moving into the hearing-assistance space by packaging signal-processing software into familiar wearable form factors. This push follows the recent integration of hearing-aid features into existing ear-worn hardware like the Apple AirPods Pro.
The glasses are currently unavailable to the public and rely on an unconfirmed FDA status for future use as a hearing aid. When released, the device will retail for $700 and will require the use of a companion app to manage personalized audio frequency profiles.
The takeaway
Aynak is attempting to move hearing assistance into a standard glasses form factor by offloading signal processing to local silicon. Readers should monitor for the company's planned FDA clearance application in summer 2027 to see if the device receives medical certification.
Further reading
For more on the latest developments in audio hardware, visit Consumer Electronics.
Source note: This article includes information reported by San Diego Union-Tribune.
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