WIPO report ranks WSA as the top patent applicant in the hearing industry

WS Audiology leads the top 30 patent applicants by number of patent families first filed for patent protection in the conventional hearing assistive technology category for the past 21 years. The category comprises hearing aids and induction loops with the exception of implantable hearing aids.

“WS Audiology is one of the most innovative hearing aid companies in the world, helping millions of people regain and benefit from the miracle of hearing. Over the last 5–10 years, we have developed our patent strategy from a quantitative to more of a qualitative approach, focusing on patents that have the most short-, mid-, and long-term value for us. The impressive ranking in the WIPO report demonstrates how the consistent execution of our IP strategy results in a solid portfolio of patents”, stated Stefan Menzl, Chief R&D Officer at WS Audiology.

The patent filing and protection strategy of WS Audiology ensures that most inventions nowadays are protected in three or more jurisdictions. Traditionally, the U.S. and Europe have been the preferred markets for inventions in this category. However, companies are starting to turn to Asian markets as well, and patent filings in China are already led by WS Audiology.

“We focus on creating a favorable climate for a variety of innovations as this fuels our product pipeline and attracts innovative talent, which is crucial to WS Audiology and our ambition of unlocking human potential by making wonderful sound part of everyone’s life. We are excited about the recognition of our efforts in the 2021 WIPO report and will continue to boost our innovation capabilities going forward”, said Eric Bernard, WS Audiology President and CEO.

Please find the report here.

 

Picture (copyright: WS Audiology)

Caption: Complex new features, like the patented Own Voice Processing feature from Signia, require a more advanced measurement technique. The picture shows a setup in the anechoic chamber, where an array of loudspeakers – arranged equidistant to the head – are used to simulate 3-dimensional sound situations.

 

 

For more information

Gert van Santen

VP Corporate Communications WSA

Phone: +45 22 71 18 64

Email: gert.vansanten@wsa.com

 

 

About WS Audiology

Formed in 2019, through the merger of Sivantos and Widex, WS Audiology combines over 140 years’ experience in pioneering the use of technology to help people with hearing loss hear the sounds that make life wonderful. With truly differentiated brands like Widex, Signia, Rexton, Audio Service and Vibe, and with diverse assets across wholesale, retail, online, managed care and diagnostic solutions, we are active in over 125 markets. WS Audiology employs 11.000 people and is privately owned by the Tøpholm and Westermann families, as well as funds under the management of EQT. As a global hearing care leader, our ambition is to unlock human potential by making wonderful sound part of everyone’s life.