Steyr (OTS) – A lot has happened in the Hartlau company’s 50-year history. A big and important step took place in April 1999, when Hartlauer started using hearing aids. The consulting expert was one of the first in Austria to make hearing impairments and their alleviation a topic in the media and thus accessible to a broad public. The lion also roared loudly in the advertising right from the start. This success was recently confirmed with the excellent performance as industry champion for customer satisfaction in the hearing aid acousticians segment of the ÖGVS.
Approximately 1.7 million People in Austria are affected by hearing problems, around the world 1.6 billion. By 2050 there could be 2.5 billion. World Hearing Day on March 3rd therefore focuses on the prevention and care of hearing impairments. The World Health Organization (WHO) launched this “Day of Hearing” in 2014.
Pioneer
Hartlauer has been known for being a pioneer in the industry since its inception. At the end of the 1990s, Franz Josef Hartlauer and three acoustics experts from Graz ventured into the production of hearing aids in a small in-house production facility. “Back then, hearing aids, or rather the topic of “poor hearing,” were still fraught with much greater questions and taboos than today. We were something of a pioneer in this area, with a lot of courage and risk. Right at the beginning, in April 1999, we were the first in Austria to offer a digitally programmable hearing aid at a statutory health insurance rate.”
, recalls Martin Huber, one of the three Hartlauer visionaries from the very beginning. He still heads the hearing aid department at Hartlauer today. In addition to advice and sales, this area also includes the production and adjustment of behind-the-ear and in-the-ear devices in hearing aid production in Graz.
Made in Austria
In 2000, Robert F. Hartlauer took over the company from his father and continued his pioneering spirit. In addition to the areas of optics, cameras and cell phones, the hearing aid area is also being expanded step by step thanks to his commitment, with the focus clearly on the quality of the products: the electronics for the hearing aids come from technology leaders in the USA and Switzerland. In addition, from 2001 onwards, the expansion of our own hearing aid production in Graz, then as now one of the most modern production facilities in Europe, enables individual tailor-made products for customers’ ears. „We not only have the experience and knowledge that we have built up over the last 25 years, but also the best employees who create small miracles every day and thus enable our customers to enjoy brilliant listening pleasure again. We can be very proud of that; no one can imitate us so quickly.
“, knows Martin Huber.
Technological development of masterpieces
The technology of hearing aids has changed again and again over the last 25 years and Hartlauer has been a pioneer in many developments: in 2003, for example, the company offered the first fully digital hearing aid at a statutory rate in Austria, and in 2004 the first smaller and therefore cosmetically appealing behind-the-ear hearing aid -Device. In 2007, the self-developed and computer-aided hearing profile analysis followed, a standardized survey of customer needs and expectations with which Hartlauer’s hearing acoustics specialists can respond even more precisely to customer requirements.
Qualification of specialists in the most modern training center
The in-house Hartlauer Academy has emphasized training and further education at the highest level since 1997. It will not be until spring 2023 that new standards will be set again with the unique training workshop. Directly in Steyr, hearing care professionals across Austria are trained to the high Hartlau qualifications in state-of-the-art laboratories and are brought up to date in terms of expertise, service and advice.
From 3D to the hearing aid of the future
The production of earmolds in Graz, i.e. individual ear molds, will be revolutionized in 2010 with the advent of 3D modeling and 3D printing. In 2011, the hearing aid sector also received ISO certification, which is relevant for medical devices. In 2017, Hartlauer launched hearing aids that can be connected directly to the iPhone. The development continues: In 2023, Hartlauer will use its hearing aid and mobile phone divisions to share the newly discovered added value of these two products – with a special offer when purchasing a smartphone and hearing aid at the same time. Hartlauer thus uniquely combines two of its core competencies, from healthcare seamlessly into the digital world.
Industry champion of hearing aid acousticians
Most recently, the Society for Consumer Studies (ÖGVS), together with the news magazine News, named Hartlauer the industry champion in the hearing aid acoustician segment in February 2024. This outstanding award in the area of customer satisfaction underlines the constant commitment to service and advice for customers.
Many well-known hearing aid wearers
Especially in advertising, Hartlauer has caused a stir over the last 25 years with well-known testimonials such as the then Hollywood actor Leslie Nielsen, Professor “Wunderbar” Harald Serafin, “Musikanten-Stadl” founder Karl Moik and star astrologer Gerda Rogers. However, the best advertising media for hearing aids at Hartlauer were and are its own hearing acoustics specialists in 134 stores, with almost 230 hearing studios, who provide customers with the best advice every day with their solid experience.
„Every hearing aid is a masterpiece in development, but it also needs people who listen carefully to what customers really want. Only through good advice, perfect adjustment and the necessary sensitivity can a hearing aid be created that is ideally adapted to the wearer and leads to listening pleasure again.
“, emphasizes Robert F. Hartlauer
Statements
„The ability to hear is the basis for being able to communicate with other people. It is our mouthpiece to the world and allows us to actively participate in life.
“
DI Martin Huber, head of the hearing aid department and a hearing aid wearer himself
„Being able to look back on the 25-year success story in the hearing aid sector makes me very proud. What makes me even happier is the fact that during this time my employees have helped over 200,000 customers to enjoy life and hearing more through their daily commitment and professional advice.
“
Robert F. Hartlauer
Factbox:
25 years of hearing aids in numbers
Over the last 25 years, Hartlauer has…
- …advise and support over 200,000 hearing aid customers (production and…
Repair orders for 250,000 different customers) - … 500,000 hearing aids manufactured
- … custom-made individual ear/hearing protection 150,000 times
- … 1,000,000 production and repair orders for hearing aid production
- … 675,000 custom-made earmolds (500,000 using digital 3D printing) were produced
- … 230 listening studios opened in 134 Hartlauer stores throughout Austria
- … 500 hearing care professionals (170 with master’s qualifications) trained
The current youngest hearing aid customer is nine years old, the current oldest was 103.5 years old when he bought a hearing aid – and recently had his hearing aids serviced at the age of 104.5.
Questions & Contact:
Hartlauer Handelsgesellschaft mbH:
Robert F. Hartlauer (Kaufmann)
Phone: +43 50613 310-01
E-Mail: office@hartlauer.at