Connect Hearing

What Connect Hearing does

Connect Hearing is an Australian national network of 180+ hearing care clinics operating as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonova AG (SWX: SOON), the Swiss-listed global hearing care group. The company operates under the legal name Sonova Audiological Care Australia Pty Ltd and is headquartered in North Sydney. It sells, fits, and services Phonak hearing aids across four technology tiers (Essential, Standard, Advanced, Premium), including the AI-assisted Phonak Audéo Sphere Infinio, the rechargeable Phonak Virto R Infinio and Infinio Ultra, the invisible-in-canal Phonak Lyric (replaced every 8-12 weeks), and traditional BTE, RIC, and ITE form factors. Core technologies include Bluetooth connectivity, rechargeable lithium-ion batteries, automatic environmental programs, speech amplification, background noise suppression, and feedback suppression.

The business model combines direct-to-consumer retail of hearing hardware with professional audiology services (hearing tests, fittings, wax removal, tinnitus management, and aftercare) and a B2B program (Connect Advantage) for organizational hearing benefits. Revenue is generated through private hardware sales at multi-tier price points (with current 25% promotional discounting on Phonak Infinio and Unitron Smile lines), consumable sales (batteries in sizes 10, 13, 312, 675), subscription-style aftercare packages bundled with purchases, and government-subsidized service delivery under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program and Department of Veterans' Affairs accreditation, which cover fully-subsidized devices for eligible pensioners, DVA card holders, and ADF members. 0% interest financing via Humm supports premium-tier affordability.

Connect Hearing serves adults aged 26 and older experiencing hearing loss, tinnitus sufferers, government-subsidized pensioners and veterans, and organizations procuring employee hearing benefits. Distribution is multi-channel: 180+ physical clinics, a Remote Support telehealth team, an online store (shop.connecthearing.com.au) for batteries and accessories, and the Connect Advantage B2B sales program. Marketing combines website/SEO content, an online hearing screening tool, the Ask Sam YouTube series, social media, phone-based customer care, and direct organizational outreach. Strategic posture reflects a mature retail operator executing product refreshes from the Sonova portfolio while extending into telehealth delivery and B2B channels.

Name

Connect Hearing

Legal name

Sonova Audiological Care Australia Pty Ltd

Website

https://connecthearing.com.au

Company type

Private

Founded year

2005

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

251–500 employees

Short description

Connect Hearing is an Australian national network of 180+ audiology clinics and a Sonova AG subsidiary that sells, fits, and services Phonak hearing aids (across Essential to Premium tiers), delivers professional hearing tests and aftercare, and serves government-subsidized pensioners, veterans, and organizations via the Connect Advantage B2B program.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Headquarters

HQ city

Victoria Point

HQ country

Australia

HQ region

Oceania

Offices2 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Hearing Aid Sales: Retail sales of hearing aids across multiple technology tiers (Essential, Standard, Advanced, Premium). Includes both private purchases and government-subsidized options through the Hearing Services Program.
2. Professional Audiology Services: Revenue from hearing tests, fittings, aftercare services, wax removal, device programming and follow-up appointments included with hearing aid purchases.
3. Hearing Aid Batteries and Accessories: Sales of hearing aid batteries (sizes 10, 13, 312, 675) and wireless accessories. HSP eligible clients receive batteries at subsidized rates or no cost for first 12 months.
4. Government Program Funding: Funding from Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP) for eligible pensioners, DVA Gold/White Card holders, and Australian Defence Force members. Covers fully subsidized hearing aids and annual maintenance agreements.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels8 records

Core offering

Connect Hearing sells digital hearing aids across multiple form factors and technology tiers (including Phonak Virto R Infinio, Infinio Ultra, Lyric IIC, BTE, RIC, and ITE models) and provides professional audiology services such as hearing assessments, fittings, aftercare, wax removal, and tinnitus management through its 180+ Australian clinic network and telehealth support team.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Connect Advantage: A free hearing health program designed for businesses, community groups, and organisations that provides hearing benefits including discounts on hearing aids, free hearing tests, and personalised ongoing hearing care.

Products and services

• Phonak Virto R Infinio Hearing Aids Receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids with Bluetooth connectivity and rechargeable battery, available to Connect Hearing customers across Australia.
• Phonak Infinio Ultra Hearing Aids Premium receiver-in-canal (RIC) hearing aids from Phonak, featured as a new top-tier offering.
• Lyric Invisible Hearing Aids Invisible-in-canal (IIC) hearing device fitted deep in the ear canal, worn 24/7 and replaced every 8-12 weeks by a Lyric-certified clinician.
• Behind-the-Ear (BTE) Hearing Aids Traditional behind-the-ear style hearing aids worn behind the ear, suitable for various degrees of hearing loss.
• Receiver-in-Canal (RIC) Hearing Aids RIC style hearing aids with the speaker placed in the ear canal, offering a more natural sound quality and discreet appearance.
• In-the-Ear (ITE) Hearing Aids Custom-fitted hearing aids worn in the outer ear, suitable for mild to severe hearing loss with easy handling.
• Hearing Protection AudioNova branded ear protection products for noise exposure prevention.
• Assistive Listening Devices Devices (excluding hearing aids) that assist people with hearing loss to hear more clearly in specific situations.
• Hearing Tests and Assessments Comprehensive hearing evaluations including audiogram analysis, conducted in soundproof rooms testing frequencies from 125 to 8,000 Hertz, by qualified audiologists and audiometrists.
• Wax Removal Services Professional ear wax removal services performed by qualified clinicians.
• Tinnitus Management Assessment and management of tinnitus including sound therapy, hearing aids with tinnitus masking features, and counseling.
• Aftercare Package Aftercare package included with hearing aid purchases covering hearing checks, device programming, clean and checks for 5 years, mould replacements, batteries and filters for 12 months, and 60-day money-back guarantee.
• Hearing Aid Batteries and Accessories Replacement batteries in sizes 10 (yellow), 13 (orange), 312 (brown), and 675 (blue) and wireless accessories available for HSP eligible clients or for purchase.
• Online Hearing Test 3-minute online screening tool providing an initial indication of hearing ability, available via the beyondhearing.org partnership.

Quantifiable outcome

• 180+ hearing centres nationwide
• +2 more outcomes

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability2 records

Feature5 records

Partnerships

Four partnerships are on record, tiered parent company, core and supporting.

• Sonova Groupparent companyOthersConnect Hearing Australia is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Sonova AG, a Swiss-based global leader in innovative hearing care solutions. Sonova develops, manufactures, and distributes hearing aids and cochlear implants through multiple global brands including Phonak, Unitron, Hansaton, and others. Connect Hearing leverages Sonova's technology portfolio and global resources.
• Australian Government Hearing Services Program (HSP)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Hearing is a fully accredited provider under the Australian Government Hearing Services Program, enabling eligible pensioners, DVA card holders, and ADF members to access subsidized hearing services and hearing aids.
• Humm (Provided by Once Credit Pty Limited)supportingOthersHumm provides 0% interest payment plan financing options for Connect Hearing customers purchasing premium hearing aids, enabling affordable access to higher-tier technology.
• Department of Veterans' Affairs (DVA)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerConnect Hearing is accredited to provide hearing services to DVA Gold Card and White Card (hearing specific conditions) holders, offering fully subsidized hearing care for eligible veterans.

Scale indicators2 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Attune Hearing: Attune Hearing is an Australian audiology group operating multiple clinic brands with audiologists providing hearing assessments, hearing aids, and tinnitus management. Directly comparable clinical retail model with independent practitioner network.
• Amplifon Australia: Amplifon is a global hearing care retail leader (Milan-headquartered) with Australian operations offering audiology services and hearing aids. Directly comparable as a clinical retail model with multi-brand product access (Signia, Phonak, Resound, Widex) and similar government program accreditation.
• Hearing Australia: Hearing Australia is the Australian Government's statutory authority providing hearing services, with the largest clinic network and exclusive provider for children and complex cases. Directly competes for HSP-funded adult clients and represents a government-backed alternative to private retail.
• Specsavers Audiology: Specsavers Audiology has rapidly expanded hearing services within Specsavers' optical retail footprint across Australia. Directly competes on price and convenience by bundling audiology with optometry, particularly aggressive in the entry-level hearing aid tier.
• Bay Audio: Bay Audio is a privately-held Australian hearing care retailer with 100+ clinics offering hearing assessments, hearing aids, and aftercare. Competes head-on with Connect Hearing across similar suburban and regional locations, serving the same demographic with comparable Phonak, Signia, and other brand offerings.
• Hidden Hearing Australia: Hidden Hearing Australia is a multi-clinic audiology retailer offering hearing tests and hearing aid fittings. Directly competes in the same clinical retail channel with comparable services and product lines.
• Audika (formerly National Hearing Care): Audika is one of the largest hearing care retail networks in Australia with 170+ clinics, owned by Demant Group (global hearing conglomerate). Directly competes with Connect Hearing in the same clinical retail audiology space, with similar HSP accreditation and access to Demant's Oticon and Bernafon product lines.

Broad incumbents

• Demant A/S: Demant is the Danish hearing care conglomerate owning Oticon, Bernafon, Sonic, and Audika retail. Comparable as a vertically integrated hearing care competitor with both product manufacturing and global retail networks including Australian operations.
• Sonova AG (Parent): Sonova AG is Connect Hearing's Swiss parent company and global hearing care leader, owner of Phonak, Unitron, Hansaton brands. Relevant peer for corporate strategy, capital allocation, and technology roadmap that ultimately determines Connect Hearing's product access and competitive positioning.
• Costco Hearing Aid Centers: Costco operates hearing aid centers in Australia (and globally) leveraging its warehouse club membership base to offer competitively priced hearing aids. Competes on price/value particularly in entry-level and mid-tier devices, representing a disruptive adjacent retail model.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/playlist?list=PLLbIgzqQzvZ5c8mypwpdi9R1Se3DE3vKe
• Xx.com/connecthearau
• Facebookfacebook.com/ConnectHearingAU
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/connect-hearing

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Connect Hearing