Phonak Marvel Hearing Aid Named Edison Awards Finalist for 2019
WARRENVILLE, ILLINOIS — Phonak announced this week that its new Marvel hearing aids have been named a 2019 Edison Awards Finalist in the Consumer Electronics & Information Technology category. The Edison Awards, named after Thomas Alva Edison, seeks to recognize and honor world’s best in innovators and innovations. The Edison Awards will announce gold, silver…
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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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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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Sonova CEO, Lukas Braunschweiler, to Retire; Company Taps Arnd Kaldowski as Successor
STAEFA, SWITZERLAND — Sonova Holding AG, one of the world’s largest hearing aid manufacturers, announced the retirement of CEO Lukas Braunschweiler this week, after serving in the CEO position since 2011. Braunschweiler’s successor, Arnd Kaldowski, will initially join the company as COO on October 1st, before fully transitioning into the CEO role on April 1,…
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Phonak Announces New Audeo B-Direct Hearing Aid, the First to Connect to Android or iPhone
STAEFA, SWITZERLAND — This spring, Sonova confirmed that it would soon be releasing 2.4 GHz direct-to-iPhone hearing aids and cochlear implants. However, in recent weeks there have been rumors that the technology about to be released by the company was going to be “game-changing” for the industry and somehow different than Sonova’s major competitors, like…
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Amplifon: Ready to Make “Major Acquisitions” to Maintain Position as World’s Top Hearing Aid Retailer
MILAN, ITALY — The world’s largest hearing aid retailer Amplifon SpA doesn’t plan to step aside while hearing aid manufacturers continue to acquire retailers across the globe. In a July 28 interview by Reuters, the company’s CEO says that Amplifon is ready to make “major acquisitions” in order to bolster the company’s position as the…
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Sonova Reports Strong Fiscal Year Results; Says 2.4 GHz Technology Coming Soon
STAEFA, SWITZERLAND — Major hearing instrument manufacturer Sonova, reported a 3 percent rise in full-year profit for 2016/17 and also confirmed that it will soon be releasing 2.4 GHz, direct-to-iPhone, capable hearing aids and cochlear implants. Additionally, the significant drop in sales the company had experienced in Germany following the Sonova’s purchase of AudioNova last…
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Phonak’s Newest Custom Hearing Aid Uses 3D Printed Titanium Shell
STAEFA, SWITZERLAND — For years, custom hearing aid shells have traditionally been made using acrylic material, whether made by hand or by 3D printer. However, in an industry-first, Phonak has announced an all-new custom hearing aid that utilizes a 3D printed titanium shell. Titanium is a strong and lightweight material, 15 times stronger than acrylic,…
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William Demant Group Opens New R&D Facility in Poland
WARSAW, POLAND — Danish hearing aid maker, William Demant Group, announced the opening of its new Demant Technology Centre in Poland. The new facility will house the company’s software Research and Development (R&D) division. The location in the new Q22 office building in Warsaw will also house other Demant companies, such as Oticon’s Polish subsidiary, Oticon Polska. The announcement of the new R&D…
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HIMSA to Release New “Industry Standard” Wireless Hearing Aid Programmer: Noahlink Wireless
COPENHAGEN, DENMARK — The Hearing Instrument Manufacturers’ Software Association (HIMSA), maker of the popular hearing aid programming interface Noah, has announced the upcoming launch of what they are dubbing as the “new wireless programming standard” for programming Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) enabled hearing aids. The new NoahlinkTM Wireless programming device was created with guidance and cooperation…
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