Over the past 10 years many of the smaller hearing aid manufacturers have merged with large companies. The reason is that is has become extremely expensive to research and develop new hearing aids.
There are 6 major world-wide hearing aid companies:
GN Resound
Oticon
Phonak / Unitron
Siemens
Starkey
Widex
Most manufacturers produce a range of hearing aids which are either:
Entry level – using a lower level of technology, with 4 – 6 channels
Mid-range – using advanced technology, with 8 – 12 channels
Premium range – using the latest technology, with 10 – 18 channels
GN Resound is a Danish company established in 1943. It is now a public company. They are well known for feedback reduction technology, reducing the amount of ‘whistling’ from a hearing aid. This enabled Resound to create the first open-fit hearing aid in 2003 called the Resound AIR. Their UK base is outside Oxford.
Oticon is a Danish company and the oldest remaining world-wide hearing aid manufacturer, established in 1904. The company has been family owned for most of its existence and is now the centre-piece of William Demant Holdings who also own the hearing aid company Bernafon and some major High Street Dispensers. They have an impressive research establishment in Copenhagen employing many hundreds of research personnel to develop the next generation of hearing aids. Their UK base is in Hamilton, ouside Glasgow, where all UK custom devices are made.
Phonak was established in Switzerland in 1947. They are now owned by Sonova Holdins AG who also own Unitron. Both their UK bases are adjacent to each other in Warrington and they use to same custom manufacturing proceses. Phonak have been the hearing aid manufacturer of choice for paediatric fittings and have sponsored paediatric professional meetings worldwide. Unitron are well known for the high-powered BTE devices.
Siemens manufacture the most hearing aids sold worldwide. They are part of the German Siemens Group of companies and have technical support from the parent company. Their UK base in is Crawley where they manufacture their custom made devices.
Starkey is a US company established and owned by one man in 1967. They now monopolize the US hearing aid market but have less prominence in Europe. Their UK base is in Stockport and this is where custom made devices are manufactured. The Starkey Foundation is well known for its charity work with hearing-impaired children worldwide.
Widex is another Danish company founded in 1956 by two former Oticon employees. They operate from a research and management centre outside Copenhagen. They are responsible for teh first fully digital hearing aid, the SENSO, which became a worldwide success. They too have their UK base in Warrington where custom made hearing aids are manufactured.
You can call Dr Graham Day for a free hearing aid consultaion on 07957 191 896