Hearing Enhancement through ARtificially Intelligent NeurotechnoloGy (HEARING)

Amendment / Modification

This document is Amendment #01 to the original solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-26-154) for the HEARING program. The amendment was issued on May 08, 2026.

This amendment does not specify which sections of the original solicitation have been changed. Proposers should refer to the full amendment document for details on modifications.

This amendment does not explicitly state any changes to proposal deadlines or submission requirements. Proposers should verify if any submission dates or requirements have been altered by this amendment.

Solicitation / RFP / RFQ

This solicitation (ARPA-H-SOL-26-154) is an Innovative Solutions Opening (ISO) for the "Hearing Enhancement through Artificially Intelligent Neurotechnology" (HEARING) program. The program aims to develop a new class of minimally invasive, brain-connected hearing devices that capture real-time brain signals to guide algorithms that interpret and reconstruct sound, aiming to restore hearing close to normal for individuals with mild to severe hearing loss. The goal is to shift hearing restoration from an ear-only problem to a neurological one, engaging the brain's auditory cortex.

The program is structured into three Technical Areas (TAs) that must be integrated into a single, functioning platform:

• TA1: Intracortical Device(s): Develop minimally invasive neural interfaces for auditory cortical regions, suitable for chronic use, without requiring surgical access through the skull.
• TA2: Dynamic Sound Modulator: An external, wearable hub that wirelessly powers and communicates with TA1 devices, adjusting sound in real-time based on algorithmic control informed by neural signals.
• TA3: Auditory Read & Write Algorithms: Develop algorithms to decode listener intent from brain signals and control audio amplification or deliver restorative code via stimulation.

The end deliverable is a fully integrated platform with a bidirectional brain-computer interface (BCI) system demonstrated in a first-in-human (FIH) trial.

• Anticipated Awards: Multiple Other Transaction (OT) Agreements.

• Cost Sharing: Encouraged (Optional).

• Period of Performance: Approximately 4.5 years, structured into three phases (Phase 1: R&D, 18 months; Phase 2: Pre-clinical, 24 months; Phase 3: Clinical, 12 months).

• Submission Process: Two-step process: 1) Solution Summary (encouraged), 2) Full Proposal (required if moving to Step 2).

• Key Deadlines:

  • Proposers' Day: June 8, 2026
  • Q&A Due Date: June 15, 2026
  • Solution Summaries Due Date: June 29, 2026
  • Full Proposals Due Date: August 14, 2026

• Evaluation Criteria (Descending Order of Importance):

  1. Overall Scientific and Technical Merit
  2. Proposer's Capabilities and/or Related Experience
  3. Potential Contribution to ARPA-H Mission and User Experience
  4. Assessment of Proposed Cost/Price

• Eligible Proposers: Universities, non-profit organizations, small businesses, and other than small businesses are eligible.

• Prohibitions: Federally Funded Research and Development Centers (FFRDCs) and Government entities are not permitted to respond as prime or sub-performers.

• Proposers are encouraged to attend Proposers' Day for teaming and information sharing.

• All proposals must address all three Technical Areas (TAs).

• Teams must include end-user, clinical, and regulatory expertise.

• Proposals must be led by a Principal Investigator (PI) under a single prime awardee.