In August 2026, the Latvian Health Inspectorate warned consumers that a hearing aid with forged documents and markings is being sold on AliExpress. The information was passed to the Inspectorate by the Belgian supervisory authority.
How to recognise the fake device
It is advertised as a rechargeable hearing aid with Bluetooth and 16 sound channels. Check the packaging and documents for the following:
- Model: 5216B
- Manufacturer: Austar Hearing Science and Technology (China)
- EU authorised representative: Obélis S.A (Belgium)
- Notified body: SGS Belgium, No. 1639
The manufacturer has confirmed that it has never produced model 5216B. Someone has used its name and the CE marking to make the product look compliant with EU requirements.
What to do
If you come across this device in Latvia, report it to the Medical Devices Supervision Unit of the Health Inspectorate: phone 67081611, e-mail pasts@vi.gov.lv.
Why a hearing aid is not an ordinary product
It is a medical device that has to be fitted to your audiogram. A cheap device bought online, without a hearing test and tuning, may not help or may even harm your hearing. With us you can try a hearing aid before buying.
Source: Health Inspectorate notice on LV portāls (in Latvian)