South Africa’s hearX Merges With Eargo To Form LXE Hearing In Landmark Deal

South African-born health-tech company hearX has merged with U.S.-based Eargo to create LXE Hearing, marking one of the largest tech mergers in South African history. The deal, backed by a USD 100 M investment from Patient Square Capital, positions LXE Hearing as a leader in affordable, high-quality hearing health solutions.

Founded in 2015 in Pretoria, hearX pioneered mobile-based hearing screening and later launched Lexie Hearing, the first over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aid available in major U.S. retailers. The company gained global recognition, earning a spot on TIME’s 100 Most Influential Companies list in 2023.

The merger combines hearX’s technology-driven approach with Eargo’s expertise in direct-to-consumer hearing aids, streamlining product development and customer experience. hearX CEO and co-founder Nic Klopper will lead LXE Hearing, signalling a South African-led expansion into the global hearing aid market.

HAVAÍC, a South African venture capital firm that has backed hearX since 2019, hailed the deal as a major milestone for African innovation. Managing Partner Ian Lessem emphasised the merger’s significance, stating, “From its early days as a Pretoria-based startup to a globally recognised leader in health-tech, hearX showcases Africa’s entrepreneurial potential.”

LXE Hearing will operate Eargo and Lexie Hearing as its core brands, combining expertise across design, clinical research, and mobile technology to make hearing aids more accessible to the estimated 44 million Americans with hearing loss.

The merger cements hearX’s global impact while keeping leadership and key operations rooted in South Africa, reinforcing the country’s growing influence in health-tech innovation.