According to a news release from Sonova Holding AG, Stäfa, Switzerland, Sonova will acquire 100% of the shares of Comfort Audio i Halmstad AB, Sweden. Comfort Audio, established in 1994, develops, manufactures, and distributes assistive listening devices with particular emphasis on systems for work-group sessions and in schools, complementing Sonova’s broad wireless and non-wireless product and solution offerings. Among its products are the Comfort Digisystem Microphone and Conference Microphone systems which use digital technologies that are designed to filter out disturbing background noise and enhance speech.

Comfort-Audio-Digisystem

Comfort Audio Digisystem

The closing of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals. The parties agreed to keep the terms of the transaction confidential.

Comfort Audio employs about 90 staff members, mainly in Sweden, and has a strong distribution network in Scandinavia, as well as a presence in several other European markets and the United States. In calendar year 2013, sales were SEK 143 million (US$21.5 million).

According to Sonova, Comfort Audio’s sleekly designed product and solution portfolio is geared towards maximum listening comfort. Sonova plans to maintain the Halmstad base of Comfort Audio and to broaden Sonova’s offering of hearing solutions and market reach substantially.

“Comfort Audio is a very attractive addition to our advanced portfolio of hearing solutions,” says Sonova CEO Lukas Braunschweiler. “Both the strong solutions and technology offering and the management talent of Comfort Audio will create significant value for Sonova.”

Comfort Audio CEO Mats Dörring says he welcomes the new ownership. “Sonova is truly the best owner of Comfort Audio,” says Dörring. “Our business will greatly benefit from Sonova’s global distribution network and its industry leading innovation capacity.”