Annual Report - Sonova Holding AG

NEW TECHNOLOGIES AND PRODUCTS
Platforms – a modular approach to developing new
products
One of the key success factors of the Phonak Group is the
strength of its product portfolio, which combines advanced
technology with functional design. Phonak continuously sets
new standards for technology in our industry.
The success of our Savia product line is evidence of the
versatile functionality of our modular hardware and software
platform PALIO, which has already been integrated into other
product lines. PALIO offers a number of benefits, ranging from
economies of scale to more flexibility in design and production,
greater product development capacity, and shorter times to market
for new products.
The launch of our Verve product line, which offers completely
new functionalities such as “SmartVoice” (natural language output),
has again shown the superior versatility and performance
of PALIO. Thanks to the modular design and the standardized
interfaces, we can continuously refine our hardware and software
platform, giving us a future-proof modular system for developing
new products.
At Phonak, innovation means developing solutions for everyday
problems experienced by people with hearing impairment,
identifying and satisfying customer’s needs, and – in doing so –
creating added value for the user. Along with the best possible
hearing performance, reliability, comfort, and cosmetic aspects
are the key drivers for customer satisfaction. Other aspects
related to the product, such as fitting, after-sales support, and
service, are also becoming increasingly important. Our two
newest product lines, Verve and microPower, clearly confirm
our strong focus on the customer’s needs.
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New Technologies and Products
Verve – the world’s most exclusive hearing system
Verve is an exclusive product line designed for the most demanding
customers who expect personalized and comprehensive
support over the entire product life cycle. Verve’s superior
audiological performance and its unique functionalities, coupled
with its elegant brand styling and the innovative service
offering, set a new standard in the hearing instrument industry.
Verve is in a class of its own and has also carved out for itself
a new market segment that is positioned above the current
digital premium segment.
The first edition of the Verve product line boasts many
technological innovations. “Self Learning” allows the hearing
instrument to automatically adapt itself to the wearer’s changing
personal requirements. With its natural language output,
“SmartVoice”, Verve “speaks” to the users, informs them of the
system’s operating mode, and also tells them when it is
advisable to have a service consultation with the audiologist, or
when the battery needs to be changed. The wearer can therefore
be confident of using the full functionality of the hearing
instrument at all times. An exclusive network of specially
trained and qualified audiologists ensures excellent customer
support and high-quality servicing. The “Verve Priority
Package” is the key component of the service offering. With a
personalized Verve Card, the customer has access to the international
24/7 support line and to the Verve web portal.
microPower – the miniature hearing system for people
with severe hearing impairment
Phonak’s innovative Canal Receiver Technology (CRT)
enables even those with severe hearing impairment to enjoy the
advantages of a micro hearing system. With microPower, the
loudspeaker is positioned in the ear canal and provides a clear
sound that is as good as with a small and cosmetically attractive
in-the-ear (ITE) hearing device. Although its performance is
comparable to that of a powerful behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing
instrument, its miniature size makes it nearly invisible. The majority
of people using a hearing system today suffer from a moderate
to severe hearing impairment and could benefit from the
unique advantages of microPower.