The Phonak Alpina brand released its first portable audio devices in 1950. With 70 years under its belt, a leader in the development of wireless communication, Phonak has applied its expertise to the manufacture of hearing devices while following its philosophy that “life is on.”
Visaton Super (1967), a pair of glasses with integrated hearing aids, was the beginning of a long string of innovations that include the world’s first BTE (behind-the-ear) hearing aid (Phonette) in 1970 and the audio input that became the foundation for FM devices in 1979.
A digitally programmed hearing aid with an analogue processor (PICS) was released by Phonak in 1992, the AudioZoom multi-microphone concept in 1994, and the first tiny FM receiver (MicroLink) in 1996.
The first digital hearing system with FM receiver was produced by Phonak in 1999, the tiny MLx ear-level FM receiver hearing system the following year, and SmartLink (Bluetooth integration technology) in 2003 were added to the list of Phonak innovations.
Materials technology developments in producing water-resistant housings in 2008 were combined with nano-digital technology, allowing Phonak to produce the world’s first extended wear hearing aids in 2011.
