Professional Role and Responsibilities
Dave Fabry, Ph.D., serves as the Chief Innovation Officer and Chief Hearing Health Officer at Starkey Hearing Technologies, headquartered in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. In this executive capacity, Dr. Fabry is responsible for leading end-to-end innovations within clinical audiology, collaborating closely with clinical, engineering, and product development teams to shape and drive Starkey’s technological advancements in hearing healthcare. His expertise is pivotal to Starkey’s development of cutting-edge hearing aid technologies, including integrated sensors and artificial intelligence (AI)-based solutions such as Genesis AI and Livio AI hearing aids, positioning Starkey at the forefront of innovation in the hearing aid industry.
Education and Academic Background
Dr. Fabry earned his Ph.D. in Hearing Science from the University of Minnesota. His professional trajectory includes significant academic and clinical roles, blending deep research expertise with practical industry knowledge. Early in his career, he worked in clinical audiology settings, including research leadership roles at the Mayo Clinic, marking a strong foundation in both scientific investigation and clinical application.
Industry Experience and Contributions
Dr. Fabry brings over 40 years of industry experience, marked by contributions that have substantially influenced hearing technology and audiology practice. Notable aspects of his professional influence include:
- Serving as President and Board Member of the American Academy of Audiology (AAA) (Board member from 1997–2003; President from 2001–2002).
- Holding a position on the Board of Directors for the American Auditory Society.
- Extensive editorial leadership experience: he has served as Editor-in-Chief of Audiology Today since 2008, was past Editor of the American Journal of Audiology, and Section Editor of Ear and Hearing.
- Leadership in professional communities through moderating and participating in panels addressing AI and digital transformation in audiology.
Publications, Patents, and Intellectual Property
Dr. Fabry is a prolific contributor to audiology research, with:
- Authorship of over 200 publications, including scientific articles, clinical reviews, and two books.
- Holding 80+ issued patents and more than 30 invention disclosures, related to innovations in audiology, hearing aids, audio signal processing, vestibular system applications, and aerospace fields.
- Patents cover technologies such as audio signal processing with ear-wearable devices, automatic transcription methods, and AI-enhanced hearing aid functionality.
- Contributions to peer-reviewed journals and scientific communities have significantly influenced the development of advanced signal processing technologies and machine learning integrations in hearing aids, improving speech understanding and patient monitoring capabilities.
Innovation and Product Development Highlights
Under Dr. Fabry’s leadership:
- Starkey pioneered the integration of embedded sensors and AI into hearing aids, enabling advanced features like step-counting, health monitoring, and environmental sound classification.
- Development and deployment of Always-On Deep Neural Networks (DNNs) and Edge AI within hearing aids, increasing device responsiveness and customization.
- Steering the company’s adoption of AI-driven solutions has resulted in products outperforming traditional medical devices, such as studies showing Starkey’s Livio AI hearing aids surpass step-counting wrist devices in activity measurement.
Awards and Honors
- Recipient of the American Academy of Audiology Distinguished Achievement Award, recognizing his unending dedication and exceptional contributions to audiology.
- Fellow of the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) and President-Elect of the Society for Information Display, underscoring his broad recognition across both audiology and technological domains.
Professional Interests and Perspectives
Dr. Fabry holds a forward-looking viewpoint on the future of hearing healthcare, emphasizing the role of AI and digital innovation to enhance patient outcomes. He actively engages in discussions and thought leadership on the integration of clinical expertise with emerging technologies, including tele-audiology and data-driven personalized care.
This profile highlights Dave Fabry, Ph.D., as a highly influential figure in audiology innovation, combining academic rigor, prolific research output, and strategic leadership at Starkey Hearing Technologies. His extensive patent portfolio and publication record underline his technical expertise and commitment to advancing hearing aid technology through AI and embedded sensor capabilities, making him a critical driver of product development and clinical innovation at Starkey.
