About Phonak

Our history

Since our founding in Switzerland in 1947, Phonak has been committed to changing lives through the development, production, and distribution of cutting-edge hearing solutions.
We have dedicated more than 70 years investing in research and innovation, striving for superior quality, unparalleled precision and reliability . It is this level of excellence that has helped us to continuously enhance our product offering.

 
Phonak HQ
 

2020s

2020

Introducing Phonak Paradise™
Comprised of all-new hardware, Paradise takes hearing performance to the next level with several new features. This results in a hearing aid that delivers an unrivaled hearing experience that includes crisp, natural sound, brilliant speech understanding and dynamic noise cancelling. In addition, clients can discover personalized digital solutions with a new myPhonak 4.0 app as well as universal connectivity. Clients will be able to access their Bluetooth®-enabled functionalities via a double tap on pinna, thanks to the new Tap Control feature. There’s nothing like the sound of Paradise.

2010s

2019

Introduction of Phonak Marvel™
This revolutionary hearing aid family combines the benefits of exceptional speech understanding and reduced listening effort in noise. Marvel streams all audio content seamlessly from iPhone, Android smartphone and countless Bluetooth enabled devices to both ears in stereo quality. Marvel hearing aids are rechargeable and empower all hearing aid wearers to benefit from real-time voice-to-text transcription of phone calls and remote support via smart apps.

2018

New hearing aid families based on the BelongTMplatform.

  • Phonak Sky B - the pediatric hearing aids fitting losses from mild to profound, specifically designed to be easy to use and to keep up with even the most active young clients.
  • Phonak Naída B - the 5th generation of the world’s most trusted power hearing aids.
  • Phonak Vitus - our basic BTE portfolio for mild to profound hearing losses in a compact and reliable design.
  • Phonak Vitus+ - the comprehensive basic portfolio for mild to profound hearing loss, including RIC, BTE and Custom models with an enhanced feature set.


Launch of new CROS B-R device
This is the first Contralateral Routing of Signal (CROS) device with a lithium-ion (Li-ion) rechargeable battery from Phonak. The CROS B-R provides clients with single-sided deafness  a smart, rechargeable solution with a full day of hearing from both sides. CROS B-R broadens our industry-leading portfolio of Li-ion rechargeable hearing solutions based on our successful Belong™ platform.

The Phonak Belong™ platform features innovative rechargeable lithium-ion technology that has been minimized to be fully integrated into a hearing aid. Rechargeable hearing aid models are available within the Belong families: Audéo B, Bolero B, Sky B, Naída B and CROS B. Learn more

 

2017

Phonak Belong platform extended with innovative life-changing solutions:

  • Our first hearing aids, designed to easily connect to any Bluetooth® enabled cell phone and TV - Phonak Audéo B-Direct.
  • The world’s first hearing aids with Biometric Calibration - Phonak Virto™ B. Precisely calibrated to the individual ear anatomy for better hearing performance.
  • Phonak Bolero™ B family, including a rechargeable model: Phonak Bolero™ B-PR which provides 24 hours* of hearing with one simple charge.
  • Phonak Virto™ B-Titanium. Built from medical grade Titanium, it is discreet, strong, light-weight and the smallest in-the-ear hearing aid ever created by Phonak.


As part of the 70th anniversary celebration, Phonak hosted an open day which attracted over 5500 guests.

* Expected results when fully charged, and up to 80 minutes wireless streaming time.

2016

Launch of the Belong platform which includes Audéo B-R the first ever hearing aid to feature a built-in lithium-ion rechargeable battery providing 24 hours* of hearing. Audéo B-R represents the quickest charging, longest lasting rechargeable hearing aid ever produced.

Launch of Phonak Naída™ V power hearing instruments.

SoundRecover2 – a brand new algorithm, takes frequency lowering to a new level and makes high frequency information audible for a wider range of hearing losses and an enhanced listening experience.

Launch of Phonak Sky™ V, range of pediatric hearing instruments specifically optimized to address kids’ and teens’ diverse communication needs. This portfolio runs AutoSense Sky OS and features an indicator light on all BTEs, which clearly shows the status of the hearing aids.

Roger and directional setting – an industry first, Phonak now offers the benefits of directional microphones in the hearing aid at the same time as using Roger.

Launch of the new Roger™ for Education portfolio including Roger Touchscreen Mic, Pass-around, Multimedia Hub and Charging Rack.

* Expected results when fully charged, and up to 80 minutes wireless streaming time.

2015

Launch of the Phonak Bolero™ V and Phonak Virto™ V hearing aid families, which continues the use of the Venture platform in the BTE and Custom product families and runs AutoSense OS.

2014

Launch of the new Venture platform and chip technology.

Launch of Phonak Audéo V hearing aid family, which runs on AutoSense OS.

Launch of Phonak EasyCall which connects any Phonak wireless hearing aid to any Bluetooth® enabled cell phone – even non-smartphones and older models

Completion of a study which proves that the Roger technology for people with hearing loss outperforms those with normal hearing by up to 62% in noise and over distance

Mumbai is recognized as the noisiest city in the world

2013

Phonak is awarded Company of the Year, by the Swiss-British Chamber of Commerce.

Introduction of Sky Q, the complete pediatric portfolio, the first hearing aid offering a wide color palette with the possibility to Mix & Match housing and hook colors.

Introduction of Roger Technology, the new digital standard that bridges the understanding gap, in noise and over distance, by wirelessly transmitting the speaker’s voice directly to the listener.

"Happy Birthday" song is sang on Mars for the first time

2012

Launch of the Quest platform, based on the unique Binaural VoiceStream TechnologyTM, which improves speech understanding of up to 45% in challenging situations.

2011

Launch of Phonak Lyric, the contact lens for the ear. Lyric, the world’s first and only 100% invisible, 24/7 wearable, shower-proof, for-months-at-a-time hearing aid.

Vinyl records make a comeback, with sales reaching 3.9 million albums.

2010

Launch of Dynamic SoundField: significant improvement of speech understanding in noisy class rooms

A range of Phonak products  were awarded the iF product design award and the GOOD DESIGN award (Phonak Ambra line, Audéo SMART, Audéo MINI and mobile phone Click'n’Talk receive the iF product design award, while Ambra microM, Ambra P, Ambra SP, PilotOne and Phonak TVLink receive the GOOD DESIGN award.)

Researchers have created new plastic fibers that can detect and produce sound.

2000s

2009

Phonak launched Audéo MINI, the smallest BTE device in the world at that time and Audéo SMART, the first  hearing aid with wireless functionalities at that time.

2008

Phonak introduced Naída, the first line of hearing aids for severe hearing loss with water-resistant housing, featuring the unique SoundRecover technology, which offers better auditory perception of high-frequency signals.

Commercial launch of Spotify, a commercial music streaming service.

2007

Introduction of the CORE platform, that enables the wireless connection of hearing  aids to a wide range of multimedia devices.

Audéo PCA (Personal Communication Assistant) receives Red Dot award for product design.

World speed record of TGV High-Speed Train (Train à Grande Vitesse) with 574.8 km/h, almost half the speed of sound.

2006

Launch of microPower, the hearing aid with innovative Canal Receiver Technology (CRT).

2005

Launch of Savia hearing aid, the first hearing system to exploit the full potential of digital technology.

First video uploaded on YouTube.

2004

Belfast city council received the highest number of complaints about noisy neighbors.

2003

Introduction of SmartLink , the first FM transmitter to facilitate the direct wireless use of Bluetooth® mobile phones for hearing aids.

2002

Phonak launched Supero which at that time was the first super high power digital product for severe to profound hearing loss.

2000

MLx, the first miniaturized ear-level receiver. It established a de-facto worldwide standard in FM technology.

The pioneering internet peer-to-peer music sharing site "Napster" is created.

1990s

1999

Phonak launched Claro, the first fully digital Phonak hearing system with a fully integrated FM receiver.

1998

The band Hanson set a record for the loudest crowd at a concert, at an eardrum-obliterating 140 decibels.

1997

Opening of the new technology center in Stäfa.

1996

Launch of MicroLink, the world’s smallest FM receiver.

The Green Paper on Future Noise Policy was the first step in the development of a noise regulation with the aim that no person should be exposed to noise levels which endanger health and quality of life.

1994

Launch of AudioZoom, the pioneering multi-microphone technology.

Phonak goes public.

1992

Launch of the PICS, the first digital programmable hearing system with an analogue signal processor.

1991

Launch of PHONICA, the first In-The-Ear (ITE) modular concept.

1990s

About thirty million people in the United States were exposed daily to occupational noise levels above 85 decibels.

1980s

1987

Move to Stäfa into the new «Phonak House».

1985

Foundation of Phonak Holding AG as a holding company for the Phonak Group.

1981

MTV begins broadcasting

1970s

1979

Introduction of the audio input that builds the base for future FM applications.

Sony introduces the Walkman

1978

Launch of SUPER-FRONT PP-C, the first Behind- The-Ear hearing aid with the highest amplification.

Foundation of the first international Phonak marketing companies in Germany and France.

1972

Noise Control Act of 1972, demand for noise barrier design.

1970

Launch of Phonette, the world’s first Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing aid.

1960s

1967

Launch of VISATON SUPER, a pair of glasses with an integrated hearing aid.

1965

“AG für Elektroakustik” is acquired by Ernst Rihs.

1963

The Beatles played their first concert.

1950s

1955

Introduction of the ‘mute’ button in TV remote control.

1950

Introduction of the first portable devices under the name PHONAK ALPINA.

1940s

1947

Foundation of the “AG für Elektroakustik” with corporate headquarters in Zurich.

First man to break the sound barrier in level flight