Stäfa, Switzerland — Sonova announced that it has acquired SilentCloud™, a digital tinnitus management app that delivers evidence-based therapies through what the company described as intuitive, user-friendly tools. Sonova said the acquisition supports its strategy to broaden integrated hearing care by addressing tinnitus, a condition that can be associated with hearing loss and may affect sleep, concentration, and quality of life.1
According to Sonova, the transaction is aimed at meeting the needs of more than 740 million people worldwide living with tinnitus.1 By bringing SilentCloud’s™ development in-house, the company said it plans to fully integrate digital tinnitus therapy into its broader hearing care ecosystem and expand the solution to additional markets.
Integration Plans and Reimbursement Discussions
Sonova said the acquisition enables it to more tightly integrate SilentCloud™ into its hearing care offerings, while also exploring broader access pathways. The company stated it is working with national healthcare authorities to evaluate prescription and reimbursement options, with the goal of making tinnitus management tools available to more people.
“Improving people’s lives has always been at the heart of our innovation”, says Oliver Lux, Group Vice President Audiological Care and designated Regional President EMEA & LATAM at Sonova.
“SilentCloud’s strong engagement during the pilot phase showed real value for users and clear market potential. By internalizing the development, we can now fully integrate a digital tinnitus therapy into Sonova’s ecosystem, strengthening our position as a leader in holistic, customer-focused hearing care.”
Background: Launch History and U.S. Veterans Focus
SilentCloud™ was first introduced by Sonova in 2023 through a partnership with Aureliym, and Sonova said the solution gained traction in Belgium, Italy, Ireland, Luxembourg, Switzerland, and the United States. In the U.S., Sonova noted that a dedicated version was developed with Phonak Government Services for the Department of Veterans Affairs to address tinnitus among veterans.
Nicholai Dessypris, President of Hearing Instruments North America and designated Regional President North America at Sonova, said the acquisition builds on existing clinical use of the platform.
“Tinnitus affects nearly 3 million U.S. veterans, and many audiologists at the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) already use SilentCloud to extend care beyond the clinic. By delivering structured education, sound therapy, and cognitive-behavioral tools directly to patients’ homes, SilentCloud helps improve hearing health outcomes. This acquisition strengthens our position as a trusted innovator in the U.S. market and reinforces our commitment to veterans’ care.”
Tinnitus Burden and the Role of Digital Therapy
Tinnitus affects up to 15% of the global population and can create significant personal and societal impacts, including reduced productivity and increased healthcare costs.1,2 Clinical literature has also linked tinnitus to disrupted sleep, reduced concentration, impacts on emotional wellbeing, and lower overall quality of life.3
Sonova said SilentCloud™ offers a self-paced program combining Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), multiple forms of sound therapy, and psycho-educational tools.
The company stated that the app is designed to help users better understand and manage tinnitus, while also supporting physicians and hearing care professionals in patient and customer care.
References
- Jarach CM, Lugo A, Scala M, van den Brandt PA, Cederroth CR, Odone A, Garavello W, Schlee W, Langguth B, Gallus S. Global Prevalence and Incidence of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurol. 2022 Sep 1 ;79(9):888-900. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.2189. Erratum in : JAMA Neurol. 2023 Feb 1 ;80(2) :216. doi: 10.1001/jamaneurol.2022.4248. PMID: 35939312; PMCID: PMC9361184.
- Trochidis I, Lugo A, Borroni E, Cederroth CR, Cima R, Kikidis D, Langguth B, Schlee W, Gallus S. Systematic Review on Healthcare and Societal Costs of Tinnitus. Int J Environ Res Public Health. 2021 Jun 26;18(13):6881. doi: 10.3390/ijerph18136881. PMID: 34206904; PMCID: PMC8297244.
- Cima, R. F., Mazurek, B., Haider, H., Kikidis, D., Lapira, A., Noreña, A., & Hoare, D. J. (2019). A multidisciplinary European guideline for tinnitus: diagnostics, assessment, and treatment. Hno, 67(1), 10-42.
Source: Sonova
