African Healthtech Makes Global Move with Bold New Merger

South African healthtech company hearX has officially merged with US hearing aid innovator Eargo, creating a new global player in hearing health: LXE Hearing. Backed by a fresh $100 million boost, the merger signals a major moment for Africa’s digital health scene and a potential breakthrough in the fight against hearing loss, one of the world’s most neglected health conditions.

Founded in 2015 by Nic Klopper, hearX made waves by designing Lexie, a smartphone-powered hearing aid brand that’s both affordable and accessible. Now, with Eargo’s direct-to-consumer strength and sleek tech entering the picture, LXE Hearing is poised to deliver smart, scalable solutions to millions who struggle with hearing difficulties.

Klopper, who will lead the newly formed company, believes this isn’t just a merger — it’s a global mission.

“The merger between Lexie and Eargo is founded on our shared mission to create hearing health solutions for everyone, everywhere,” he said. “Eargo’s cutting-edge design, emphasis on clinical quality, and customer-first approach to service perfectly complement hearX’s suite of Bose-powered products and its award-winning mobile app.”

Why hearX Could Be a Game Changer

Together, the two companies plan to expand their reach by offering both the Lexie B2 Plus (developed with Bose) and Eargo’s own product line under one roof. By aligning operations, LXE Hearing aims to improve customer service, cut inefficiencies, and grow its global market share.

For Africa’s healthtech space, the move sends a clear message: local innovations are no longer limited to local markets. The merger is a textbook example of what can happen when homegrown solutions get global exposure and investment.

From humble beginnings as a university spin-out, hearX has become one of the few African-founded companies to lead a global merger in such a specialised space. Its success joins other rising examples like the Reunert merger and the Wasoko-MaxAB deal, both of which signal a new chapter for African tech on the world stage.