Sonova Holding AG

Swiss hearing technology company founded in 1947, known for hearing aids and cochlear implants, currently seeking to divest the Sennheiser consumer audio division.

Sonova was founded in 1947 by Hans Graf and Beda Diethelm in Zurich, Switzerland. The company initially manufactured hearing aids under the name Phonak. The founders were engineers who developed innovative hearing aid technology for the post-war European market. Phonak grew steadily through the 1950s and 1960s, establishing itself as a leading European hearing aid manufacturer.

The company expanded internationally in the 1970s and 1980s, entering North American and Asian markets. Phonak developed several technological innovations during this period, including the first digitally programmable hearing aid in the 1980s. The company continued to invest in research and development, focusing on miniaturization and sound processing technology.

In 2007, the company changed its name from Phonak to Sonova Holding AG and listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange. The name change reflected the company's broader portfolio beyond the Phonak brand. Sonova expanded through acquisitions in the following years, including the purchase of Unitron in 2000 and Advanced Bionics in 2009.

Unitron, a Canadian hearing aid manufacturer, expanded Sonova's presence in the North American market. Advanced Bionics, a cochlear implant manufacturer, gave Sonova entry into the severe hearing loss segment. These acquisitions established Sonova as a comprehensive hearing technology company covering all levels of hearing loss.

In 2021, Sonova acquired the Sennheiser consumer audio division from the Sennheiser family for approximately 200 million euros. The strategic rationale was integration between premium consumer audio and hearing aid technology. Sonova planned to leverage Sennheiser's audio expertise and brand recognition in the consumer market.

The Sennheiser acquisition did not deliver the expected synergies. In 2025, Sonova announced plans to divest the Sennheiser consumer division. The company cited the lack of strategic fit and the different go-to-market models between consumer audio and hearing healthcare as reasons for the divestiture. The Sennheiser consumer division is currently being offered for sale.