Starkey has named elite sled dog musher Jessie Royer as its newest brand ambassador as she prepares for a competitive 2026 season.
The partnership aims to highlight the critical importance of hearing health, protection, and performance in some of the most challenging environments on earth.
Jessie is a veteran endurance athlete and a highly respected competitor in the mushing community. She has built a reputation competing in world-class long-distance events across Alaska and North America, including the nearly 1,000-mile Iditarod Trail Sled Dog Race. These gruelling multi-day competitions require physical stamina, mental toughness, and acute sensory awareness.
On the trail, mushers face subzero temperatures, powerful winds, and remote terrain. Success and safety depend on hearing the dogs’ breathing and gait, shifting winds, and the sound of approaching snowmobiles or equipment.
However, sustained exposure to barking dogs and mechanical noise can contribute to long-term hearing damage without proper protection.
Through this partnership, Starkey and Royer will spotlight innovative AI-driven hearing technology and proactive hearing protection.
Starkey says its new Omega AI hearing aids are engineered for high-performing sound quality and industry-leading battery life to endure extended days on the trail – they also have Auracast as standard. The durable, waterproof designs are built to perform reliably in snow, moisture, and extreme cold.
Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, said: “Hearing health is critical in every environment, from day-to-day interactions to high-performance, extreme settings.
“Jessie embodies resilience, focus, and endurance at the highest level across the sport of mushing. Her ability to compete in some of the world’s most challenging races while staying connected to her team and surroundings reflects exactly why protecting and prioritising hearing matters.
“We are proud to support her 2026 season and beyond.”
As a brand ambassador, Royer will help raise awareness about the role technology plays in maintaining connection and performance. This includes the use of Starkey’s Auracast-enabled hearing aids, which allow users to stream high-quality audio directly to their devices in various public and private settings.
Jessie said: “These races push you in every way. Being aware of my team, the trail, and my surroundings is essential for safety and success. In extreme cold, wind, and long days on the trail, I need equipment I can rely on.
“Starkey’s hearing technology delivers the sound quality, battery life, and durability to perform in harsh conditions, and I am proud to partner with them to highlight how important hearing health and protection are, not just in racing, but in everyday life.”
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