Hearing aid manufacturer Starkey has been named a 2026 Top Workplaces USA award winner by the newspaper group USA Today – the fourth year in a row that the company has received this national recognition.
The awards celebrate organisations with 150 or more employees that have built exceptional, people-first cultures.
In addition to the national title, Starkey earned eight Culture Excellence awards so far this year.
Starkey says these honours highlight its commitment to fostering a workplace environment that prioritises employee listening, engagement, and overall well-being.
More than 42,000 organisations were invited to participate in the programme, with winners determined entirely by authentic, confidential employee feedback gathered by research firm Energage.
The award comes as Starkey continues to advance its technology, recently integrating Auracast compatibility directly into its hearing aids.
Beginning with Edge AI and followed by the Omega AI platform, the company has introduced an Auracast Assistant within the My Starkey app. This technology allows users to stream high-quality, low-latency audio directly to their devices in public locations such as theatres, museums, and airports, as well as in the home with compatible televisions, hifis, and computers.
Jessica Sawalich, Chief People Officer and Executive Vice President of Culture at Starkey, was delighted with the award.
“Our culture is what makes Starkey truly special. We are deeply committed to creating an environment where people feel supported, empowered, and connected to a greater purpose,” she said.
“When employees feel valued and inspired, they bring their best ideas forward, and that’s what drives meaningful innovation and impact. This recognition is a reflection of our people and the culture they continue to build every day.”
Founded in 1967 by Bill Austin and currently led by Brandon Sawalich, Starkey is the only American-owned hearing aid manufacturer.
Speaking earlier in the year, Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, said: “True innovation happens when you put people at the centre of everything you build. That philosophy guides Starkey’s leadership in the hearing industry, where we continue to raise the bar by creating technology that improves health, strengthens human connection, and enhances quality of life.”
Headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota, the company employs more than 5,000 professionals across 29 facilities and delivers advanced hearing solutions to over 100 markets worldwide.
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