TuneIn wins Rep. Lizzie Fletcher’s 2025 Congressional App Challenge in Texas’s Seventh District

When asked what inspired the creation of TuneIn, the students said, “When we started working on TuneIn, our goal was simple: to make hearing help easier and more accessible for everyone. The idea grew from people we knew and experiences that made the problem feel personal. Our friend Benjamin is hard of hearing, and we’ve heard him talk about how frustrating his hearing aids can be. They help, but they’re uncomfortable, expensive, and draw unwanted attention. Around the same time, our grandparents started experiencing hearing loss, too. Watching them turn up the TV louder, ask people to repeat themselves, or stop following conversations made us realize that hearing loss affects people of all ages, not just those born hard of hearing.

“We also volunteer at our local senior center, where we saw how isolating hearing loss can be. Despite the efforts to create a social, supportive environment, we quickly noticed that many seniors were withdrawing, unable to engage in conversations or connect with others. This withdrawal was making them lose touch with their loved ones.

“The visibility of hearing aids can make people feel self-conscious, reinforcing negative stereotypes about aging and disabilities. As a result, they often don’t seek help, fearing they’ll be seen as frail or dependent. In addition to stigma, the high cost of hearing aids, often ranging from $2,000 to $7,000, makes them inaccessible for many, leaving seniors with no affordable solutions to preserve their relationships and independence. Among adults aged 20 to 69, about 8% suffer from depression. But for those with moderate to severe hearing loss, that number jumps to 18%. Those two challenges combine to make hearing assistance something many people avoid, even when they need it most.

“For us, TuneIn grew out of everyday experiences with people we care about. Seeing how hearing loss affects communication and confidence made us want to create a small, practical solution that helps people feel included again. Instead of bulky devices, it uses technology people already have, a smartphone and earbuds, to improve hearing through AI-based sound enhancement. It’s designed to be discreet, affordable, and easy to use.”