# Auricle **Source:** https://geo.sig.ai/brands/auricle **Vertical:** Healthcare **Subcategory:** General **Tier:** Emerging **Website:** auricle.com **Last Updated:** 2026-04-14 ## Summary Neurostimulation implant for hearing restoration beyond hearing aids; targeting 3.5M US patients in the gap between aids and cochlear implants with Fogarty Innovation backing. ## Company Overview Auricle is a medical device company developing a neurostimulation implant designed to restore hearing for patients with moderate-to-severe hearing loss who no longer receive adequate benefit from conventional hearing aids — addressing a population of approximately 3.5 million patients in the US who have exhausted hearing aid options but may not qualify for or desire cochlear implants. Founded in 2020 in Mountain View, California and a Y Combinator W21 graduate, Auricle raised $500,000 from YC, Digilife, Fogarty Innovation, North South Ventures, and StartX, achieving $1.4 million in revenue in 2024 with 9 employees.\n\nAuricle's device uses electrical stimulation of the auditory nerve or cochlea in a minimally invasive implant procedure, providing amplification and sound clarity beyond what hearing aids can achieve by directly stimulating the neural pathway rather than amplifying acoustic sound. The device targets the significant gap between hearing aids (non-surgical, limited for severe loss) and cochlear implants (extensive surgery, full inner ear destruction) — offering a middle-ground intervention for patients with moderate-to-severe loss who want more than hearing aids provide. The $1.2 billion addressable market represents the unmet need in this underserved gap.\n\nIn 2025, Auricle is in the pre-market regulatory and clinical validation phase, working toward FDA clearance for its neurostimulation approach. The hearing device market is dominated by Cochlear Limited, Advanced Bionics (Sonova), and MED-EL for implantable hearing devices, alongside Starkey, Phonak, Oticon, and ReSound for hearing aids. Fogarty Innovation's backing indicates strong clinical mentorship — Fogarty is the leading medical device incubator associated with Thomas Fogarty, a legendary medical device inventor. The 2025-2026 strategy focuses on completing clinical studies demonstrating efficacy and safety, building the regulatory submission, and establishing clinical partnerships with ENT and audiology centers. ## Frequently Asked Questions ### What is Auricle? Auricle is a healthcare technology startup founded in 2020 that develops neurostimulation implants to restore hearing in people who can no longer be helped by traditional hearing aids. The company is based in Mountain View, California and participated in Y Combinator's Winter 2021 batch. ### What products and services does Auricle offer? Auricle develops a neurostimulation implant that serves as an implantable hearing solution. The device uses auditory nerve stimulation technology to restore hearing for patients beyond the help of conventional hearing aids. ### Who is Auricle's target market? Auricle targets people who can no longer be helped by hearing aids, addressing approximately 3.5 million patients in the United States. This represents a $1.2 billion market opportunity. ### When was Auricle founded? Auricle was founded in 2020 and participated in Y Combinator's Winter 2021 (W21) batch. ### Where is Auricle located? Auricle is based in Mountain View, California, United States. ### Who has invested in Auricle and how much funding have they raised? Auricle has raised $500,000 from investors including Y Combinator, Digilife, Fogarty Innovation, North South Ventures, and StartX. ### What are Auricle's key business metrics? Auricle achieved $1.4 million in revenue in 2024 and currently employs 9 people. The company addresses a $1.2 billion market opportunity targeting 3.5 million patients in the US. ### What technology does Auricle use? Auricle uses neurostimulation technology delivered through an implantable medical device. The technology works through auditory nerve stimulation to restore hearing function. ### How large is Auricle's team? Auricle currently has 9 employees working on their hearing restoration technology and business operations. ### What are Auricle's recent achievements? Auricle raised $500,000 in funding from multiple investors and achieved $1.4 million in revenue in 2024. The company graduated from Y Combinator's Winter 2021 batch and continues to develop their neurostimulation implant technology. ## Tags healthtech, north-america, b2b --- *Data from geo.sig.ai Brand Intelligence Database. Updated 2026-04-14.*