Annual Report 2010/11 - Sonova
Annual Report 2010/11 - Sonova Annual Report 2010/11 - Sonova
20 In Canal Receiver Technology, the loudspeaker is situated directlyin the ear, and the audio signal is transmitted via a special thin tube. This results in better amplification performance, effective feedback suppression and improved comfort. These advantages mean that demand for the CRT design is growing rapidly. Featuring the most comprehensive CRT range and the successful Audéo S product family, the core brand Phonak serves what is currently the fastest growing hearing instrument segment. Ease of operation is also at the top of customers’ wish lists. Thanks to self-learning programs in the Phonak and Unitron models, which store and automatically call up the wearer’s preferences, manual adjustments are largely a thing of the past. Natural audio quality is a key criterion for the acceptance of hearing instruments. The unique calculating and processing performance of Sonova’s new Spice generation means that incoming signals are processed even faster and are transmitted in real time to both ears to ensure a natural sound experience. Lyric, which sits deep in the ear canal, can take advantage of the natural function of the pinna to achieve superb sound quality. Better comprehension is a fundamental concern of every hearing instrument wearer. Based on its platform strategy, Sonova is continuously developing new functions to ensure optimum speech intelligibility, especially when there is background noise. The powerful chip performance of the Spice technology has made it possible to further develop technologies to focus on a dominant speech source, effectively filtering out background noise and adjusting to the audio environment in real time for crystal clear intelligibility in the most varied of acoustic situations. Through its innovations, Sonova meets the key needs of end customers. Sonova offers hearing care professionals a range of models with which they can specifically target their customers, tap new customer groups, and grow successfully. INNOVATION AS A STRATEGIC COMPETITIVE ADVANTAGE Thanks to one of the highest innovation rates in the industry, Sonova was able to consolidate its technological leadership in financial year 2010/11. Products that have been on the market for less than two years accounted for 74% of sales in the hearing instrument segment. Sonova’s unique platform concept forms the basis of its competitive advantage. It guarantees the rapid introduction of new products and extremely efficient research and development work. The Spice generation was introduced in the fall of 2010 as the most advanced microchip technology in the industry. More than 16 million transistors perform 200 million operations per second. The wireless connection is faster and more stable, and binaural directionality and adaptive intelligence ensure effortless comprehension even in challenging situations. The Target software extends the choice of wireless adjustment options for the Spice models, which are 20–30% smaller than their predecessors thanks to their innovative design. Hearing instrument technology has undergone rapid development in recent years. Nevertheless, Sonova sees plenty of room for improvement and innovation in areas such as speech intelligibility in difficult acoustic environments and natural sound quality. There is also great potential in improving cosmetic aspects, user-friendliness, design, ease of use and links to modern communication devices. In the future, Sonova will be presenting new innovative solutions in these areas. Sonova’s commitment to innovation is recognized worldwide and has received several awards. Among others, the Phonak BTE Audéo MINI model received the 2010 red dot award for product design, while the Phonak Ambra, the premium model of the Spice generation, was singled out for the 2011 iF design award. PRODUCT INNOVATIONS Modern hearing instruments integrate chip technologies that are several times more powerful than those of earlier generations. They deliver significantly more computing power and faster processing speeds. Highly developed algorithms permit the integration of increasingly sophisticated functions that ensure improved speech intelligibility, individual adjustment to the wearer’s needs, and automatic adjustment to the current acoustic situation. Binaural directionality The latest generation of hearing instruments based on the Spice chip technology is able to focus more strongly on the dominant speech source for improved speech intelligibility in difficult acoustic situations. Based on the unique ability to transmit an audio signal in full bandwidth and in
WIDE RANGE OF HEARING INSTRUMENTS The choice of the right hearing instrument depends on the degree of hearing loss, the size and shape of the pinna and ear canal, the required functions, the end customer’s budget, and their esthetic preferences. Standard Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing instruments The standard housing is worn behind the ear and is connected to the ear canal via a sound-conducting tube. Standard BTE devices are suitable for people with mild to severe hearing loss. Today’s BTE models come in attractive designs. They are comfortable to wear, ergonomic, and resistant to moisture and dirt. Micro BTE/CRT hearing instruments Micro BTE hearing instruments are significantly smaller than standard BTE models and are suitable for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. They are based on Canal Receiver Technology (CRT), where the loudspeaker is placed outside the housing, in the ear canal close to the eardrum. Custom In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing instruments Custom ITE instruments are completely contained in an individualized acrylic shell that fits in the ear canal. ITE HEARING INSTRUMENTS models are designed for people with mild to moderate hearing loss. One of their main advantages is that they can take advantage of the natural function of the pinna. In-the-canal (ITC) instruments are placed in the ear canal but are also visible within the outer ear. The tiny Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) instruments are virtually invisible from the outside. Standardized In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing instruments These ITE instruments are 45% smaller than typical CIC devices and feature a standard housing, allowing them to be fitted during the customer’s first appointment. An articulated joint eliminates unpleasant pressure points in the ear canal while the wearer is speaking, chewing or swallowing. Since April 2010, Sonova has offered a standardized CIC instrument for each of its three hearing instrument brands: Audéo ZIP (Phonak), Fuse (Unitron) and sona: vogue intro (Sona). Deep-in-the-canal (DIC) instruments are inserted even deeper into the ear canal and sit there permanently. Lyric is the first model in the Sonova range that can be worn deep in the ear canal, where it is completely invisible from the outside, for up to four months. 21
- Page 1 and 2: THE HEARING CARE COMPANY All the So
- Page 3 and 4: highLightS & Key figureS - New sale
- Page 5 and 6: 02 Foreword 06 Sonova Group 16 Hear
- Page 7 and 8: from 2002 to 2004 and subsequently
- Page 9 and 10: eaKinG barrierS - with talent and t
- Page 11 and 12: ON THE WAY TO BECOMING A GLOBAL HEA
- Page 13 and 14: and a global distribution network e
- Page 15 and 16: THE SONOVA GROUP No hearring loosss
- Page 17 and 18: Better hearing for people with norm
- Page 19 and 20: StraiGHt From real liFe - cowboy ha
- Page 21 and 22: THE HEARING INSTRUMENT MARKET - CON
- Page 23: THE PHONAK SPICE GENERATION - THE S
- Page 27 and 28: LYRIC - THE “CONTACT LENS FOR THE
- Page 29 and 30: Sonova is investing heavily in the
- Page 31 and 32: Eight years later, Evelyn almost co
- Page 33 and 34: THE HEARING IMPLANTS SEGMENT In the
- Page 35 and 36: The considerable strategic importan
- Page 37 and 38: ABOUT ADVANCED BIONICS Advanced Bio
- Page 39 and 40: worKinG - and communicating safely
- Page 41 and 42: EMPLOYEES FOCUS ON PEOPLE One of th
- Page 43 and 44: ISO 9001:2000 and 13485:2003 certif
- Page 45 and 46: The key environmental data shown in
- Page 47 and 48: ENVIRONMENTAL MANAGEMENT AT THE ST
- Page 49 and 50: CAMBODIA - BETTER OPPORTUNITIES FOR
- Page 51 and 52: Better hearing - better success at
- Page 53 and 54: in critical moments. As a consequen
- Page 55 and 56: CrOSS-SHArEHOLDInGS Sonova Holding
- Page 57 and 58: BOArD Of DIrECTOrS The primary duty
- Page 59 and 60: Andy rihs Co-founder, non-executive
- Page 61 and 62: onald van der Vis non-executive mem
- Page 63 and 64: AuDIT COMMITTEE The members of the
- Page 65 and 66: Alexander Zschokke Interim CEO, GVP
- Page 67 and 68: Dr Hans Leysieffer GVP research & D
- Page 69 and 70: COmPenSatiOn and SharehOldingS - co
- Page 71 and 72: The shares/rSus have a blocking per
- Page 73 and 74: COMPEnSATIOn TO MEMBErS Of THE MAnA
WIDE RANGE OF HEARING INSTRUMENTS<br />
The choice of the right hearing instrument depends on the<br />
degree of hearing loss, the size and shape of the pinna<br />
and ear canal, the required functions, the end customer’s<br />
budget, and their esthetic preferences.<br />
Standard Behind-The-Ear (BTE) hearing instruments<br />
The standard housing is worn behind the ear and is connected<br />
to the ear canal via a sound-conducting tube.<br />
Standard BTE devices are suitable for people with mild<br />
to severe hearing loss. Today’s BTE models come in attractive<br />
designs. They are comfortable to wear, ergonomic,<br />
and resistant to moisture and dirt.<br />
Micro BTE/CRT hearing instruments<br />
Micro BTE hearing instruments are significantly smaller<br />
than standard BTE models and are suitable for people with<br />
mild to moderate hearing loss. They are based on Canal<br />
Receiver Technology (CRT), where the loudspeaker is placed<br />
outside the housing, in the ear canal close to the eardrum.<br />
Custom In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing instruments<br />
Custom ITE instruments are completely contained in an<br />
individualized acrylic shell that fits in the ear canal. ITE<br />
HEARING INSTRUMENTS<br />
models are designed for people with mild to moderate<br />
hearing loss. One of their main advantages is that they<br />
can take advantage of the natural function of the pinna.<br />
In-the-canal (ITC) instruments are placed in the ear<br />
canal but are also visible within the outer ear. The tiny<br />
Completely-in-the-canal (CIC) instruments are virtually<br />
invisible from the outside.<br />
Standardized In-The-Ear (ITE) hearing instruments<br />
These ITE instruments are 45% smaller than typical CIC<br />
devices and feature a standard housing, allowing them to<br />
be fitted during the customer’s first appointment. An articulated<br />
joint eliminates unpleasant pressure points in the<br />
ear canal while the wearer is speaking, chewing or swallowing.<br />
Since April <strong>2010</strong>, <strong>Sonova</strong> has offered a standardized CIC<br />
instrument for each of its three hearing instrument brands:<br />
Audéo ZIP (Phonak), Fuse (Unitron) and sona: vogue intro<br />
(Sona). Deep-in-the-canal (DIC) instruments are inserted<br />
even deeper into the ear canal and sit there permanently.<br />
Lyric is the first model in the <strong>Sonova</strong> range that can be<br />
worn deep in the ear canal, where it is completely invisible<br />
from the outside, for up to four months.<br />
21
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