Hearing Aid Manufacturers - Overview and History
A quick overview of the world’s major manufacturers of hearing aids. Organisations listed in alphabetical order:
GN ReSound
A Danish company based in Ballerup. Founded in 1943 by Gerd Rosenstand as Danavox which was acquired in 1977 by GN Store Nord. Store Nord later acquired US based The ReSound Corporation, which had previously acquired Austrian Viennatone. All merged companies operated under GN using three core hearing aid brands – ReSound, Beltone and Interton. Now represented in 80 countries around the world. GN Store Nord is listed on the Danish Stock Exchange.Oticon
A Danish company which forms part of William Demant Holdings A/S. Founded in 1904 by Hans Demant whose wife had hearing loss and taken over by his son William in 1910. In 1995 Bernafon a Swiss hearing aid manufacturer was acquired and today operates as a secondary hearing aid brand with the WDF stable. The group also has interests in Diagnostic equipment and Personal Communication. WDF is listed on the Danish Stock Exchange.Phonak
With Headquarters in Stafa, Switzerland, Phonak is part of Sonova Holdings AG. Founded in 1947, the group has two major hearing aid brands – Phonak and Unitron. Its manufacture facilities are primarily in Switzerland, China and Vietnam. The group is present in more than 90 countries under both core brands and a number of additional ones. In addition to hearing aids, Sonova has a significant cochlear implant business. It is listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange.Starkey
Founded by William F Austin, Starkey is a US manufacturer and distributor of hearing aids. Its headquarters are in Eden Prairie, Minnesota. It has subsidiaries in 22 countries around the world and conducts business in over 100. It has significant activity in charitable work through the Starkey Hearing Foundation.Widex
Widex is a private company owned by the Topholm and Westermann families. Founded in 1956 and today run by the second generation of the families. It claims subsidiaries in more than 30 countries around the world and representation in more than 100. Global production is centred in Denmark and Belgium.Siemens
With subsidiaries around the globe, Siemens claim to have developed the first technical solution for hearing loss as early as 1878. Siemens hearing which employs over 4000 people worldwide is part of the German Siemens corporation which has a wide portfolio of products and services extending from healthcare to transport. Recently touted for sale by its parent corporation, reportedly looking for more than two billion Euros.About Hearing Direct
We are one of the world's leading hearing aid specialists, offering a wide range of affordable products, as well as information resources to help improve the quality of life for the hard of hearing. We sell:- Hearing aids,
- Hearing aid batteries,
- Hearing aid accessories such as earplugs,
- and amplified devices such as super loud alarm clocks and amplified phones.