Sonova strengthens innovation leadership with Phonak EON portfolio and third-generation proprietary real-time AI

Group Media & Investor Release

Stäfa (Switzerland), 24 August 2026 – Sonova Holding AG (SWX: SOON), the leading global provider of innovative hearing solutions, today announces the launch of the Phonak Audéo EON receiver-in-canal (RIC) portfolio. The portfolio includes EON Sphere, Sonova’s third-generation real-time AI hearing aids,¹ EON R and CROS EON R for unilateral hearing loss. EON delivers significant AI-enabled improvements in speech clarity, reductions in listening effort and advancements in wind-noise management. Powered by the newly developed HYPERSONIC™ chip and a retrained deep neural network, EON Sphere is 37% more power-efficient, which enables a device that is 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous generation. At the same time, it extends advanced real-time AI capabilities across more performance levels. The EON portfolio offers Phonak’s made-for-all connectivity, making it the most comprehensive connectivity solution on the market. Together, these advances broaden access to Sonova’s latest hearing technology and demonstrate the Group’s innovation leadership through meaningful improvements in performance, design, and everyday use.

With EON, we are taking the next step in intelligent hearing care, bringing to market a major new Phonak portfolio that builds on two previous generations of our proprietary real-time AI technology,” said Eric Bernard, Chief Executive Officer of Sonova. “EON delivers meaningful advances in speech understanding, wearing comfort and connectivity, reinforcing Sonova’s innovation leadership in hearing care. This launch further strengthens our portfolio and supports our strong business momentum.”

The EON launch comes at a time when hearing health is increasingly recognized as an important part of healthy aging and cognitive health, as reflected in recent WHO guidance addressing hearing loss in relation to cognitive decline.²

Phonak EON advances real-time AI hearing performance

Key advances of the new product line include:

• Dedicated AI processing: the newly developed HYPERSONIC™ chip enables Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 while using 37% less power than the previous Sphere generation
• Improved speech understanding: users are twice as likely to understand every word from any direction³
• Reduced listening effort: up to 37% reduction in listening effort⁴
• Smaller, lighter design: 25% smaller and 20% lighter than the previous Sphere generation
• Outdoor performance: WindBlock 2.0 reduces wind noise by up to 50 dB⁵
• Everyday use: up to 38 hours of battery life

Phonak EON is designed around three everyday user benefits: adaptive clarity for clearer sound in different listening environments, unlimited connections and intuitive design. At its core is the newly developed proprietary HYPERSONIC™ chip, a dedicated AI processor that enables EON Sphere to run the Spheric Speech Clarity 3.0 feature while using 37% less power than the previous Sphere generation. This greater efficiency supports a device that is 25% smaller and 20% lighter than its predecessor, combining powerful direct speech extraction with a more compact design that provides all-day confidence and wearing comfort.

Now in its third generation, Spheric Speech Clarity extracts speech in real time directly from surrounding noise, including in conversations with multiple speakers. Sonova's studies show that, compared with the same hearing aids without this feature, users are twice as likely to understand every word from any direction,³ and experience up to 37% less listening effort, which helps to reduce fatigue at the end of the day.⁴ These improvements address one of the most persistent challenges for people with hearing loss: following conversations in complex (i.e., multiple speakers from different directions) and noisy environments.

AutoSense OS™ AI 8.0 automatically recognizes the listening environment and activates the optimal combination of features for the specific situation, while APD 4.0⁶ responds to match the gain to the environment for a more natural sound quality from the first fit.

“Artificial intelligence remains a key area where Sonova continues to differentiate as our AI leadership is rooted in years of audiological research, proprietary data and end-to-end ownership of the entire technology stack. It spans our purpose-built AI training pipeline and algorithms, chip design, software and complete system integration,” said Anders Rosengren, Chief R&D Officer at Sonova. “EON expands what our foundation can deliver: powerful real-time AI in a smaller, more efficient design, with meaningful advances in speech clarity, listening comfort, wind-noise management and connectivity.”

The most comprehensive connectivity offering in the market

EON further advances Phonak’s commitment to made-for-all connectivity. The platform supports two active connections to virtually any device with Bluetooth^® technology, including smartphones and tablets. It also includes Auracast™ broadcast compatibility, with a QR-code scanner in the myPhonak app designed to simplify access to compatible public audio broadcasts. Together with Phonak’s wireless microphone technology Roger, EON connects wearers to an even wider range of conversations, devices and shared listening environments with more advancements to follow soon.

Significantly improved wind noise management

The platform also introduces WindBlock 2.0, a feature that enables people with hearing loss to enjoy outdoor activities and nature sounds by significantly reducing wind noise. Specifically, it reduces wind noise by up to 50 dB and can improve the signal-to-noise ratio by up to 30 dB,⁵ supporting clearer speech and a more natural listening experience outdoors.⁷

Availability of Phonak EON

Phonak EON will be introduced and available to hearing care professionals in the United States as of 24 August 2026, with additional markets, including Germany, France, the United Kingdom, Australia and others, to follow in September.

The portfolio includes EON Sphere, Sonova’s third-generation real-time AI hearing aids,¹ EON R and CROS EON R for unilateral hearing loss.

For more details on Phonak EON, please refer to the global Phonak media release available at: https://www.sonova.com/news/

For media

Executive video statements featuring Sonova Chief Executive Officer Eric Bernard, Chief R&D Officer Anders Rosengren, and President, EMEA & LA Region, Oliver Lux, are available for download and editorial use in connection with reporting on the EON portfolio via the Sonova Newsroom: https://www.sonova.com/news/

Trademark notice

The Bluetooth^® word mark and logos are registered trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. and any use of such marks by Sonova AG is under license.

The Auracast™ word mark and logos are trademarks owned by Bluetooth SIG, Inc. Any use of such marks by Sonova AG is under license

References

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 About Sonova

Sonova is the global leader in innovative hearing care solutions, combining technology leadership, audiological expertise and a strong local presence to serve a growing number of people with hearing loss in more than 100 countries. The Group was founded in 1947 and is headquartered in Stäfa, Switzerland. As a vertically integrated company across its wholesale, retail and cochlear implants businesses, Sonova operates through the brands Phonak, Unitron, AudioNova and Advanced Bionics as well as recognized regional brands. 

In the 2025/26 financial year, the Group generated sales of CHF 3.6 billion, with a net profit of CHF 546 million. Over 18,000 employees are working on achieving Sonova’s vision of a world where everyone enjoys the delight of hearing.

Sonova has a long-standing commitment to innovation and was ranked no. 12 among the most innovative companies in Europe in 2025 by Fortune magazine, selected from 300 companies across 21 countries and 16 industries.

For more information please visit www.sonova.com. 

Disclaimer
This Media Release contains forward-looking statements, which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside Sonova’s control. Should one or more of these risks or un-certainties materialize or should underlying assumptions prove incorrect, actual outcomes may vary materially from those forecasted or expected. Each forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date of the particular statement, and Sonova undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.

Sonova shares (ticker symbol: SOON, Security no: 1254978, ISIN: CH0012549785) have been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1994. The securities of Sonova have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), or under the applicable securities laws of any state of the United States of America, and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act and in compliance with applicable state securities laws, or outside the United States of America to non-U.S. Persons in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.