Bill Austin

Early Life

William Franklin "Bill" Austin was born in Nixa, Missouri, in February 1942. His father worked as a lumber trader, and his mother worked in a factory. To supplement the family's income, young Bill collected bottles for recycling and picked blackberries. Initially, he attended the University of Minnesota with the intention of becoming a doctor.

Rise to Success

Austin's career path shifted after helping an elderly man with a hearing aid, which sparked his interest in audiology. In 1967, he purchased Starkey Laboratories, an ear mold company, for $13,000. He transformed it into a leading enterprise, introducing the first custom, in-the-ear hearing aids. Starkey Hearing Technologies pioneered nano and digital technology in hearing devices. A pivotal moment came in 1983 when President Ronald Reagan was photographed wearing Starkey hearing aids, which led to a quadrupling of the company's sales.

Key Business Strategies

Austin focused on customer service, including a 90-day free-trial period. He expanded Starkey's reach both within the United States and internationally.

Philanthropy

Austin founded the Starkey Hearing Foundation in 1984 with his wife, Tani. The foundation has distributed over one million hearing aids to individuals in need. Austin has been involved in over 150 mission trips to numerous countries.