WS Audiology Announces Audiological Research Laboratory in Singapore

Singapore – 18th June 2024 – WS Audiology (WSA), a global leader in the hearing aid industry, today announced it is opening an audiological research laboratory in Singapore. Supported by the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB), WSA’s Office of Research in Clinical Amplification (ORCA) Asia will be a research laboratory dedicated to conducting audiological research for the Asian population. Globally, the World Health Organization estimates there are 1.6 billion people who suffer from some kind of hearing loss.* By 2050, that number will increase to 2.5 billion, with at least 700 million requiring hearing rehabilitation. ORCA Asia will focus on carrying out clinical research to assess and improve the performance of hearing aids and the overall quality of hearing care. Built on a Foundation of Excellence Located in WSA’s regional headquarters in Tai Seng, Singapore, ORCA Asia exemplifies WSA’s long-standing commitment to innovation in the hearing aid industry and to delivering optimal experiences for those with hearing loss. Singapore is a key research and development (R&D) hub for WSA, with a strong R&D setup boasting more than 200 members. This helps drive global product innovation and serves as the gateway to the Asia Pacific, one of the primary drivers of the company’s growth. Establishing a specialized facility for auditory research will enhance WSA’s R&D capabilities, fostering critical expertise in this niche field to better serve the Asian population. ORCA Asia will create high-skilled jobs including roles such as research scientists, audiologists, acoustic engineers, and systems engineers that will push the boundaries in hearing aid technology. Formed in 2019, through the merger of Sivantos and Widex, WSA combines over 140 years’ experience in pioneering the use of technology to help people with hearing loss hear the sounds that make life wonderful. Over the years, WSA’s Singapore site has been instrumental in product development for hearing aids and hearing aid chargers, rechargeability technology, and battery development. Notably, key products designed in Singapore include the Styletto, the world’s first slim hearing aid with a portable charger, and the Signia Pure Charge&Go IX Hearing Aids, the world’s first hearing aid that identifies and locks on to the voice of every person in a conversation, enhancing their speech and reducing background noise. Milestone for Asia 400 million people live with hearing loss in Southeast Asia alone.** By 2050, 1 in 4 people will be over the age of 60, indicative of an aging population likely to increase the need for hearing care. ORCA Asia will play a pivotal role in providing innovative solutions to address this crucial area of concern. Joerg Brandscheid, Chief Technology Officer at WSA said, ORCA Asia will be the first auditory research center in Asia. We will be tackling important regional issues such as improving hearing aid technology for Asian languages. We recognize the varying linguistic and demographic profiles across the region, and ORCA Asia will allow us to uncover information crucial for improving the experience of those impacted by hearing loss. Given the diversity of this region, ORCA Asia will look into research that will better understand the needs of the Asian population to deliver specific, novel solutions to ensure that individuals with hearing loss can enjoy the same opportunities and quality of life as those without. “We welcome WSA’s decision to set up ORCA Asia, which builds upon its long-standing presence in Singapore as a hub for R&D, operations, manufacturing, and commercial activities. This investment affirms Singapore’s position as a trusted location with multidisciplinary talent for global MedTech companies to innovate and serve the growing healthcare needs in Asia, and will bring new capabilities and job opportunities to Singapore,” said Goh Wan Yee, Senior Vice President and Head for Healthcare at EDB. Continuing a Legacy of Innovation ORCA Asia will be WSA’s third audiological research laboratory. Previously, ORCA US was established in Chicago, USA in 2001. In 2007, ORCA Europe was subsequently established in Stockholm, Sweden. Since then, both facilities have carried out valuable research providing greater insight into several crucial areas of understanding including hearing aid fitting and background noise reduction that can be utilized by R&D teams to increase the performance of WSA’s hearing solutions. Similar ambitions are in sight for ORCA Asia which is slated to open by 2026. *WHO, World Report on Hearing, 2021 **WHO, World Hearing Day statement by Dr. Poonam Khetrapal Singh, SEA Regional Director, 2021 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, the company is active in over 130 markets. WS Audiology employs 12,500+ people and is privately owned by the Tøpholm and Westermann families and the Lundbeck Foundation, as well as funds under the management of EQT. As a global leader, the company’s ambition is to unlock human potential by making wonderful sound part of everyone’s life. Find out more at wsa.com
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Carsten Buhl to leave WSA10.6.2025 00:00:00 CEST | Press release
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Lynge, Denmark, June 2, 2025 – WSA, a leading pure-play hearing healthcare group, is pleased to announce that Dorothea Wenzel has joined its Board of Directors and has been appointed Chair of the Audit Committee, effective immediately. At the same time, Julian Tøpholm is stepping down from the Board. Ms. Wenzel joins as an independent director with an impressive track record in finance and strategy leadership across multiple industries, including a long career at the biopharmaceutical company Merck, where she held several commercial and financial executive positions. She has extensive experience in leading business transformations, and significant board experience from Dentsply Sirona Inc., Servier Group, Gerresheimer, and as Lead Independent Director at Fresenius Medical Care AG & Co. Most recently, she was appointed Chair of Lundbeck, following her tenure as Chair of its Audit Committee. WSA Chair Lars Rasmussen commented: We are delighted to welcome Dorothea to the WSA Board. Her br
WSA delivered 1% organic revenue growth and increased EBITDA by 22% in the second quarter of FY 2024/258.5.2025 00:00:00 CEST | Press release
Lynge, Denmark – May 8, 2025 – WSA, a leading pure-play hearing healthcare group, today announced results for the second quarter of the financial year 2024/25 (January 1, 2025 – March 31, 2025) showing organic revenue growth of 1% and an increase in EBITDA of 22%, corresponding to an EBITDA margin improvement of 2.8%-points. Jan Mäkelä, CEO of WSA, said: With an organic revenue growth of 1% in a volatile macro environment and a significant EBITDA margin improvement, WSA delivered satisfactory second quarter results. I am very pleased with the successful launch of Signia BCT IX and Widex Allure at the end of the quarter. With our complementary and distinct Signia and Widex brand platforms, we are committed to delivering an uncompromising hearing experience that meets the unique needs of the largest groups of people with hearing loss and the hearing care professionals serving them.” Highlights Q2 2024/2025 (Q2 last financial year in brackets) WSA delivered organic revenue growth of 1% (7
WS Audiology Expands Indian Operations with New Commercial and Production Hub in Bangalore16.4.2025 00:00:00 CEST | Press release
Bangalore, India – 16 April 2025 – WS Audiology (WSA), a leading pure play hearing health care group, today announced the opening of its new office in Bangalore, further strengthening its footprint in India. The facility, operating as WS Audiology India, will serve as a key hub for commercial and production activities, supporting WSA’s long-term commitment to improve hearing health access across the country. The new Bangalore office reflects WSA’s belief in India’s growing role in the global hearing care landscape. According to the World Health Organization, an estimated 6.3% of India’s population suffers from significant hearing loss. WSA continues to lead the industry in making hearing care more accessible, affordable, and effective through its “Triple A” approach—Awareness, Affordability, and Accessibility. Supporting Growth, Enhancing Service “India has been one of our fastest-growing markets in APAC, and we’re incredibly proud of the work our teams have done here,” said Avinash Pa
WSA welcomes ATHOS KG as a new shareholder and receives new investment to support its long-term development11.4.2025 00:00:00 CEST | Press release
Lynge, Denmark – 11 April 2025 – WS Audiology (WSA), a leading pure play hearing health care group, today announced ATHOS KG as a new minority shareholder, as well as an equity capital injection of EUR c. 590 million in total from its existing and new shareholders to further support the company’s successful growth trajectory and long-term strategic ambitions. WSA welcomes ATHOS, a German healthcare focused single family office, as a new shareholder alongside T&W Medical, EQT, and the Lundbeck Foundation, which together continue to exercise joint control of WSA in an unchanged governance set-up. Lars Rasmussen, Chair of WSA, said: I am pleased by the strong commitment of WSA’s shareholders to the company’s continued growth and long-term development. The owners have decided to strengthen WSA’s financial foundation by injecting equity, which will further bring down WSA’s net leverage. At the same time, I am pleased to welcome ATHOS as a shareholder of WSA. With T&W Medical, EQT, the Lundb
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