Google and GN Hearing Partner on Direct Streaming from Android to Hearing Aids
BALLERUP, DENMARK – In news that will be of special interest to hearing aid users who use Android phones, GN Hearing and Google have announced their partnership on technology that will offer the “full spectrum of direct audio streaming from Android devices to hearing aids”. This will make GN Hearing the first manufacturer to provide…
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William Demant Announces Partnership with Philips
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK – The parent company of the Oticon, Sonic, and Bernafon brand of hearing aids, William Demant, announced this week that it has entered into a licensing agreement with Philips. The agreement will “bring Philips-branded solutions to hearing healthcare”. According to the press release, the new partnership will leverage William Demant’s leading role in…
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Starkey to Relocate R&D from California to Israel; Offers Glimpse of New Livio AI Hearing Aid
EDEN PRAIRIE, MINNESOTA — Starkey Hearing Technologies recently announced that it was expanding its global research and development (R&D) by establishing an advanced development center in Tel Aviv, Israel, and that it would be closing the company’s research center located in Berkeley, California. Amit Shahar, hired by the company to be the new VP of…
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Phonak Announces Launch of Accredited Family-Centered Care Program
Phonak announced the launch of a newly accredited eLearning program for hearing professionals this week on Family-Centered Care (FCC). The FCC approach to hearing healthcare is one that recognizes the essential role the family plays in the overall treatment process. Research has suggested that having a family member in the room results in improved consumer…
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GN Hearing, Oticon, Win Gold at 2018 Stevie Awards
NEW YORK CITY, NEW YORK — The American Business Awards honored the Oticon Opn, GN ReSound Linx 3D and Beltone Trust with Gold Stevie Awards. Since 2002, the Stevie Awards recognize the accomplishments and contributions of companies and business people worldwide and are report to receive more than 10,000 entries annually. According to the announcement,…
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United Healthcare Revealed as Buyer of EPIC Hearing from Sonova
During an investor presentation at this year’s American Academy of Audiology (AAA) conference in Nashville, Sonova said that it had reached an agreement to sell it’s hearing benefits subsidiary company, Epic Hearing, to a “large US insurer”. However, the details of the agreement and name of the company acquiring EPIC were not revealed at that…
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Big Six to Become the Big Five? Sivantos and Widex Announce Merger
In a deal, estimated to be $8.2 billion, Germany’s Sivantos and Denmark’s Widex announced a merger. The newly merged company is expected to be the third largest hearing aid manufacturer in the world, after Sonova and William Demant. Early reports suggest that Swedish private equity firm EQT will own a majority of the merged group…
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Industry Pioneer, Andy Rihs Dies at 75
Andy Rihs, one of the founders of Phonak, died of complications from leukemia on April 18. He was 75 years old. Known for his tremendous foresight, creative spirit, and entrepreneurial passion, Rihs, along with Beda Diethelm and his brother “Jöggi” Rihs, joined AG für Elektroakustik. The three of them developed and shaped the company into…
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Oticon Opens Nominations for 20th Annual Focus on People Awards
SOMERSET, NEW JERSEY — Oticon Inc, announced this week a call for nominations for the 2018 Focus on People Awards. The awards, now in their 20th year, honor students, adults, and hearing loss advocates that demonstrate that “hearing loss doesn’t hinder one’s ability to make a difference in the world”. “Over the past 20…
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Amplifon Eyes Hearing Aid Retail Acquisition Targets Across Europe, Canada; Poised to Enter Chinese Market by Year’s End
MILAN, ITALY — One of the world’s largest hearing aid retailers, Amplifon SpA, is reported to be targeting potential retail acquisitions in Germany, France and Canada and announced plans to enter the Chinese market by the end of 2018. The company, which says it holds approximately 10 percent of the global market, has been focused…
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