Acousticon Hearing Systems

What Acousticon Hearing Systems does

Acousticon Hearing Systems (legal entity: Acousticon Hörsysteme GmbH) is a privately held German medical device manufacturer founded on July 17, 1984, headquartered in Reinheim/Georgenhausen, Südhessen, that designs, manufactures, and distributes audiological fitting systems, complementary equipment, and accessories for the hearing acoustics industry. The company's core product is the ACAM5 modular fitting system — currently in its fifth generation since ACAM 1 launched in 1988 — built on a modular building-block architecture integrating tone and speech audiometry (Audiometer module), loudness-based fitting procedures (LoudnessFitting module with ALF, AHA, AccuFit, TruTarget), real-ear probe measurements (InSitu module with patented AS03/AS04 probes), coupler-based hearing aid analysis (Messbox module), and a multi-speaker demonstration system (Multimedia module). Differentiated proprietary methods include the loudness-based ALF procedure (fitting in 15-20 minutes), trueLOUDNESS binaural broadband loudness summation developed with Hörzentrum Oldenburg, and the unique A2000 open free-field headphone designed specifically for loudness-based measurement. smartALF, launched in 2023, is a standalone interactive fitting technique running on PC/tablet that extends the loudness-based methodology to a lower price point.

The business model combines one-time hardware sales (ACAM5 modular systems, smartALF at ~EUR 6,950, A2000 headphone, dB99 design speaker series, Messboxen, AC017 coupler sets, ACAM-Mobil portable trolley, AS03/AS04 probes), recurring service contracts (annual MTK/STK checks, calibration, remote maintenance via TeamViewer, automatic software updates), software licensing and updates (including exclusive licenses for trueLOUDNESS and revoloud from Hörzentrum Oldenburg), and professional training services (biha-certified online and in-person programs). Revenue derives from a long-tail base of SMB hearing aid specialist practices (Hörakustik-Fachbetriebe), research institutions, and university hospitals primarily across the DACH region, with limited international reach (Spain via AUDIAS distribution partner). GTM combines outside field sales with on-premise free trial installations, EUHA Kongress presence, online training, and a founder-discount program (Existenzgründerrabatt/Filialgründerrabatt) targeting new business entrants. The company holds ISO 13485:2015 (DNV) and EU MDR 2017/745 certifications (2025) and is led by a Doppelspitze of Harald Bonsel and Christopher Bonsel.

Name

Acousticon Hearing Systems

Legal name

Acousticon Hörsysteme GmbH

Website

https://acousticon.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1984

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Acousticon Hearing Systems is a German medical device manufacturer (founded 1984, Reinheim) that designs and sells the ACAM5 modular fitting system, smartALF interactive fitting software, and proprietary loudness-based audiological procedures to hearing aid specialist practices across the DACH region.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Audiological Measurement and Hearing Aid Fitting Equipment

NAICS

Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (334310), Audio and Video Equipment Manufacturing (33431)

SIC

Industrial Instruments For Measurement, Display, And Control (3823), General Industrial Machinery & Equipment, Nec (3569)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

akta.pro secondary industries

Microphones, Headsets & Audio Input Devices (HDACAFAH), Studio / Pro Monitoring Headphones & Reference Speakers (CRACANAK)

Keywords

• Hearing aid fitting systems
• Audiological measurement equipment
• Modular fitting technology
• Real-ear measurement devices
• Hearing acoustics software

Headquarters

HQ city

Reinheim

HQ country

Germany

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B

Offering type

Hardware or Manufacturing

Cost components

Supply Chain, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Others

Revenue model

1. Hardware Systems Sales: Sale of ACAM5 modular fitting systems and complementary equipment including measurement boxes, speakers, probes, and accessories. The modular baukasten system allows flexible configuration per customer budget.
2. Software Licensing and Updates: Software updates for ACAM5 systems, with service contract holders receiving inclusive updates and annual MTK (maintenance). Non-contract users pay for installation codes.
3. Service Contracts: ACAM service contracts offering inclusive support via remote maintenance, ACAM calibration, automatic update service, regular MTK/STK checks. Without service contract, all services available at additional cost.
4. Training and Education Services: Individual online training, seminars, workshops, and presentations on hearing acoustics topics. Some trainings are biha-certified with participation certificates issued.
5. Licensing (trueLOUDNESS, revoloud): Optional license fees for exclusive procedures like trueLOUDNESS (binaural broadband loudness summation) and revoloud, available exclusively through ACAM.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Acousticon develops, manufactures, and distributes modular hearing system fitting systems (notably the ACAM5 platform and smartALF interactive fitting technique), complementary audiological equipment and accessories (A2000 headphones, AS03/AS04 probes, dB99 speaker series, measurement boxes), and practice-oriented training and service offerings for hearing aid specialist businesses in the German-speaking market.

Product overview

Acousticon Hearing Systems is a German hearing acoustics company founded in 1984, headquartered in Reinheim, offering a comprehensive portfolio of audiologic products and measurement technology. The core offering is the ACAM5 modular fitting system — an all-in-one, modular hearing aid fitting and audiometric measurement platform that operates on a building-block principle, allowing customers to configure exactly the modules they need. ACAM5 modules include Audiometer (tone and speech audiometry), LoudnessFitting (loudness-based fitting with ALF, AHA, AccuFit, TruTarget procedures), InSitu (real-ear measurements with AS03/AS04 probes), Messbox (hearing aid analysis), and Multimedia (multi-speaker demo system). Complementary to ACAM5 is smartALF, a standalone interactive fitting technique that runs independently on any PC/tablet and uses the same loudness-based ALF procedure. Acousticon also manufactures dedicated equipment including the A2000 free-field headphone (unique to Acousticon for loudness-based fitting), dB99 design loudspeaker series (available in four variants with custom colors), measurement boxes (open and closed), AS03/AS04 in-situ probe tubes, AC017 modular coupler set, ACAM-Mobil portable trolley system, and a full accessory line. Optional licenses include trueLOUDNESS and revoloud from Hörzentrum Oldenburg. CARL, a simulation patient for audiology training, is distributed as a partner product from AHead Simulation (Canada). The portfolio is complemented by training services, support, and software updates. Products are manufactured primarily in-house at the Reinheim facility with regional German partners.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• ACAM5: Modular fitting system for hearing acoustics - the core product platform combining multiple measurement modules including Audiometer, LoudnessFitting, InSitu, Messbox, and Multimedia.
• smartALF
• CARL
• LoudnessFitting
• trueLOUDNESS
• dB99
• A2000

Quantifiable outcome

• Hearing system fitting (including dynamic adjustment and binaural matching) completes in 15-20 minutes
• +4 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed Yes

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration6 records

Feature10 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hörzentrum OldenburgcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2023Close cooperation with Hörzentrum Oldenburg led to development of trueLOUDNESS procedure for binaural broadband loudness summation. Dr. Dirk Oetting conducted long-term research on binaural broadband loudness perception at the University of Oldenburg. The procedure is exclusively available through ACAM.
• Dr. Dirk OettingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerResearcher from Hörzentrum Oldenburg who developed trueLOUDNESS procedure. Continues to present trueLOUDNESS lectures at EUHA Kongress and supports Acousticon with experience reports from practice.
• AUDIAS Instituto Auditivo (Spain)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorAcousticon distribution partner in Spain, reselling ACAM systems and products to hearing aid specialists in the Spanish market.
• RM GerätebauminorImplementation/ SI/ Consulting PartnerLocal partner from Hirschbachstraße in Reinheim handling PCB assembly and production of key hardware components for ACAM. End assembly of measurement technology is done in Acousticon's own manufacturing department.
• Conwood (Stuttgart)minorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorSupplier of speaker chassis for dB99 design speakers from Stuttgart. Final fabrication including speaker technology installation, wiring, calibration done in Acousticon's own manufacturing.
• Fraunhofer Institut OldenburgminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCollaboration on development of RETSPL values and free-field equalization for A2000 headphone, enabling use for all tone audiometry measurements including probe measurements with hearing systems.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Grason-Stadler (GSI): GSI produces clinical audiometers, tympanometers and hearing aid fitting equipment used by audiologists and hearing aid specialists. It competes directly with ACAM5 modules for tone and speech audiometry as well as hearing aid verification workflows.
• MAICO Diagnostics: MAICO Diagnostics produces screening and clinical audiometers plus hearing aid fitting measurement systems. It competes with Acousticon in serving Hörakustik-Fachbetriebe and ENT practices in DACH and other European markets.
• Audioscan (Etymon): Audioscan is a North American manufacturer of real-ear measurement and hearing aid verification equipment, directly competing with Acousticon's InSitu and Messbox modules. Both companies target hearing aid specialist practices with measurement hardware and software for hearing aid fitting.
• Interacoustics: Interacoustics (a Demant subsidiary) manufactures audiometric measurement instruments, real-ear measurement systems and fitting suites. It is a direct peer to Acousticon's ACAM5 audiometer and fitting modules, serving the same hearing aid specialist customer base.
• Inventis: Inventis (Italy) manufactures audiometric and hearing aid fitting equipment including audiometers, tympanometers and real-ear measurement systems. It is a direct European peer to Acousticon in the audiology equipment market.
• Path Medical: Path Medical (Germany) manufactures diagnostic audiometry and hearing aid fitting equipment, including real-ear measurement solutions. It is a direct peer to Acousticon in the German audiology equipment market.

Broad incumbents

• Sonova (Phonak): Sonova owns Phonak and Unitron hearing aids along with the Phonak Target fitting software. As a major hearing aid manufacturer, it competes with Acousticon indirectly by bundling fitting suites with device sales, reaching the same Hörakustik-Fachbetriebe.
• Demant: Demant owns Oticon, Bernafon, Philips Hearing Solutions and Interacoustics. Through Interacoustics it directly competes with Acousticon in audiology equipment, while its hearing aid brands sell bundled fitting systems to the same customer base.
• WS Audiology (Sivantos / Signia): WS Audiology combines Sivantos and Widex, selling Signia and other hearing aid brands with proprietary fitting software (e.g., Connexx). It is a broad incumbent whose fitting suite competes indirectly with ACAM5 at the same Hörakustik-Fachbetriebe customers.
• Natus Medical: Natus Medical (now part of Natus Neuro) supplies a broad portfolio of hearing diagnostics and screening products through its Otometrics and Bio-logic brands. It overlaps with Acousticon in audiology measurement but serves a wider healthcare diagnostics market.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

Compliance2 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles4 records

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 Acousticon Hearing Systems