MILAN, ITALY — “A Sound Idea”, a new podcast produced by Amplifon in collaboration with Italian podcast production company Chora Media, is now available. The podcast, released in both Italian and English, explores the 75-year history of Amplifon, the world’s leading provider of hearing care services and solutions.
The episode recounts the company’s origins, beginning in a basement in downtown Milan in the early 1950s. It was founded by Charles Holland, an engineer and former British Army Major, who played a role in the Allied liberation of Italy during World War II. After the war, Holland settled in Italy, where he married Anna Maria Formiggini and launched a business aimed at helping individuals affected by hearing damage caused by bombings.
“Today, – tells the podcast – ‘we would call it a startup, but this is how a new adventure starts for Charles Holland, that same adventure he will dedicate the rest of his life: Amplifon.’”
Amplifon’s Growth and Global Leadership
Technological advancements played a key role in Amplifon’s development. Holland initially introduced mobile hearing labs, which brought services closer to people, before expanding into a nationwide network of hearing care centers in Italy. This model, focused on expert hearing care professionals, laid the foundation for Amplifon’s future growth.
Since the late 1990s, Amplifon has pursued international expansion, a strategy driven by Susan Carol Holland, daughter of Charles Holland, who has served as Vice Chairperson since 1993 and Chairperson since 2011. Under the leadership of CEO Enrico Vita, the company—publicly listed since 2001—has continued to grow. Today, Amplifon operates in 26 countries, with a network of more than 10,000 stores, 20,000 employees and collaborators, and annual revenues of approximately 2.3 billion euros (2023), solidifying its position as a leader in the hearing care retail sector.
Podcast Availability
The 12-minute episode is available on major audio streaming platforms, including Spotify, Apple Podcasts, YouTube Music, and Amazon Music, as well as Amplinet, Amplifon’s global intranet. The Italian version is narrated by Carlo Notarpietro, while the English version features the voice of Caterina Sforza.
At the beginning of the podcast, listeners are encouraged to “listen responsibly” in accordance with Amplifon’s initiative to promote safe listening habits, recommending that headphone volume not exceed 60 percent.
📍 Listen to the English version here:
🔗 Spotify: A Sound Idea
About Amplifon
Amplifon is the global leader in the hearing care retail market, helping people rediscover the full experience of sound. The company’s 20,300 employees worldwide work to understand each customer’s unique needs, offering personalized products and services to deliver the best possible hearing care solutions.
With annual revenues of approximately 2.3 billion euros, Amplifon operates through a network of over 10,000 stores across 26 countries and five continents. More information about the company is available at: corporate.amplifon.com.
Source: Amplifon
