Earflo has received a $415,000 social-mission investment from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, marking a significant milestone in the company’s efforts to bring a non-invasive, at-home treatment for negative middle ear pressure to young children. The funding will directly support regulatory clearance, manufacturing, and commercialization activities as the company prepares its device for launch.
The San Carlos-based medical technology company is developing a 510(k)-pending solution intended to relieve negative middle ear pressure. This condition can cause fluid accumulation known as otitis media with effusion and increase the likelihood of chronic ear infections. The issue is widespread among young children and often leads to prolonged observation periods that disrupt learning and family routines. If symptoms persist, many children undergo ear tube surgery, currently the most common pediatric procedure. The majority of these surgeries occur in children under five, who face increased susceptibility to hearing-related developmental delays.
Although certain non-invasive technologies have demonstrated positive outcomes in older children, they are frequently too difficult for younger patients to use, leaving a substantial unmet need in early childhood. Earflo aims to address this challenge by enabling parents to administer treatment at home with a device that visually resembles a sippy cup but incorporates precision engineering to deliver a gentle, controlled puff of air through the nose and into the eustachian tube, in coordination with swallowing. The product pairs with a companion app that guides parents through each session, monitors progress, and keeps children engaged with gamified reinforcement.
The investment arrives at a moment of growing recognition for the company. Earflo recently earned three major industry honors: inclusion in TIME’s Best Inventions of 2025, a CES Innovation Award for Best of Innovation in Digital Health, and a Gold Anthem Award in the Health: Innovation category. These awards highlight increasing industry enthusiasm for solutions that can shift pediatric care outside the clinical setting and reduce reliance on surgery.
Earflo’s technology is grounded in research and development led by specialists from Stanford Biodesign and the University of Pittsburgh. Peer-reviewed clinical studies indicate that the majority of young children using the device show measurable hearing improvements within four weeks, with many avoiding surgery during the research period. Early intervention can improve outcomes during the critical watchful waiting period, providing families with a more straightforward, more proactive path to care.
The Richard King Mellon Foundation’s investment was made through its Social-Impact Investment Program, which backs early-stage companies advancing socially beneficial innovations aligned with the Foundation’s philanthropic mission.
KEY QUOTES:
“Our mission is to empower parents with innovative, child-friendly solutions to treat negative middle ear pressure at home,” said Dr. Intan Oldakowska, Co-Founder and CEO of Earflo. “With this new investment from the Richard King Mellon Foundation, we aim to improve children’s health by providing a science-backed product that has the potential to deliver both immediate relief and long-term benefits.”
“What started as a simple idea has grown into something truly meaningful,” said Dr. Oldakowska. “These recognitions from TIME, CES, and the Anthem Awards reflect the passion, creativity, and care our team has poured into every step of this journey.”
Dr. Intan Oldakowska, Co-Founder and CEO, Earflo
