Unisson
Unisson is a French audiology retailer operating 13 owned and 7 franchised hearing aid centers across France and Belgium, selling prescription devices from twelve global OEMs at prices approximately 40% below market, with bundled fitting, tele-audiology, and reimbursement administration for individual hearing-loss patients.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2006
- HeadquartersParis, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2C
- OfferingServices
What Unisson does
Unisson (legal entity: UNISSON SAS, RCS Paris 488 897 240) is a privately held French audiology retailer founded in 2006 and headquartered at 61 rue de l'Arcade, 75008 Paris. The company operates a network of 13 company-owned hearing aid centers across major French cities (Paris, Lyon, Marseille, Toulouse, Bordeaux, Lille, Nice, Boulogne-Billancourt, Colombes, Aix-en-Provence) and 7 franchised centers in Belgium (Wallonia). Its core product is prescription hearing aids sourced from twelve leading international OEMs — Signia, Phonak, Starkey, Widex, Resound, Oticon, Bernafon, Unitron, Philips, Beltone, Hansaton, Sonic, Rexton, and Coselgi — across four price tiers from €950 Class 1 (100% Santé) to €1,395 premium devices. Technical differentiators include AI-enabled devices such as the Starkey Genesis AI with deep-neural-network sound processing, fall detection, and health tracking, complemented by proprietary Unisson services: free online hearing tests, 30-day free trials, unlimited follow-up adjustments, tele-audiology remote adjustments, and administrative support for French social security and mutual insurance reimbursements.
The business model is direct-to-consumer through physical retail, layered with a franchise expansion channel. Revenue is generated from one-time hearing aid device sales (averaging €1,100–1,400 per device), high-margin aftermarket accessories and consumables (chargers, TV transmitters, remote microphones, batteries, cleaning supplies sold via e-commerce), recurring franchise royalties (5% of HT revenue) and advertising fees (6%), one-time franchise entry fees of €15,000, and warranty/insurance add-ons such as the Carte ZEN (€150). Unisson employs approximately 55 collaborators across the network and is directed by Julien Croc (Director General). The 100% Santé French reform is a structural tailwind: it expanded reimbursement to €240 (or €400 under 100% coverage), materially reducing out-of-pocket cost and stimulating category adoption — Unisson's positioning at €950 for Class 1 places it at the fully reimbursed price point.
Unisson firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Unisson
- Legal name
- UNISSON SAS
- Website
- https://laboratoires-unisson.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2006
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Unisson is a French audiology retailer operating 13 owned and 7 franchised hearing aid centers across France and Belgium, selling prescription devices from twelve global OEMs at prices approximately 40% below market, with bundled fitting, tele-audiology, and reimbursement administration for individual hearing-loss patients.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Unisson industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Audiology services and hearing aid retail
- NAICS
- Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340)
- SIC
- Services-Misc Health & Allied Services, Nec (8090)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated) (HLAKAMAI)
Keywords
Where Unisson is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Paris
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices20 records
Markets served
Unisson business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2C
- Offering type
- Services
- Cost components
- Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D
Revenue model
- Hearing Aid Sales: One-time sale of hearing aids with included services (guarantee, unlimited adjustments, follow-up appointments). The price is fixed per device, with variation by technology level and brand. French social security and mutual insurance reimbursements offset customer costs.
- Franchise Fees: Revenue from franchise network including entry fees (15,000€), royalties (5% of HT revenue), and national advertising fees (6%). Franchisees achieve average revenue of 460,000€ after 2 years.
- Accessories and Consumables: Sales of accessories including chargers, TV transmitters, remote controls, microphones, batteries, cleaning supplies, and replacement parts through their online store.
- Warranty Extensions and Insurance: Additional services such as the Zen insurance card (150€) covering loss, theft, and damage.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | 100% Health Range (Entry Level) - Class 1 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Comfort Range - Mid-range |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Performance/Premium Range - High-end |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Belgium - Access Range |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Belgium - Comfort Range |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Belgium - Performance Range |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Belgium - Premium Range |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Specific Products - Widex Enjoy 2 Fusion RIC 312 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Specific Products - Starkey Genesis AI 24 CIC 312 |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Specific Products - Starkey Genesis AI 24 mRIC R |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Specific Products - Starkey Genesis AI 24 RIC RT |
| One time/ perpetual license | Pay-as-you-go | Specific Products - Starkey Genesis AI 20 mRIC R |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories - Starkey Chargeur StarLink 2.0 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories - Starkey Emetteur TV Genesis AI |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories - Starkey Mini Micro déporté |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Accessories - Starkey Télécommande StarLink 2.0 |
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | Insurance - Carte ZEN |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels7 records
Unisson product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Unisson is an audiology retail and service provider operating physical hearing aid centers across France and Belgium. The company sells hearing instruments from 12 major global manufacturers (Starkey, Signia, Phonak, Widex, Resound, Oticon, and others) across entry-level, mid-range, and premium tiers, and bundles each sale with audiology services such as hearing assessments, fitting, unlimited adjustments, 30-day trials, tele-audiology remote support, and administrative assistance for social security and mutual insurance reimbursements.
Product overview
Unisson is a hearing aid retailer (audioprothésiste) operating 13 centers across France and 6 in Belgium, offering products from 12 major global hearing aid brands. The core offering centers on hearing aids spanning four price tiers: entry-level 100% Santé (950€), Confort (995€-1,095€), Performance (1,195€-1,395€), and Innovation/Premium. Products include invisible (IIC/CIC), intra-auricular (ITE/ITC), and behind-the-ear (BTE/RIC/RITE) styles from brands such as Starkey, Signia, Widex, Resound, Phonak, and Oticon. Key differentiators include rechargeable and Bluetooth connectivity options, with the latest AI-powered Starkey Genesis AI line featuring Neuro Sound technology, fall detection, health tracking, and My Starkey companion app. Services include free online hearing tests, 30-day trials, unlimited follow-up care, tele-audiology remote adjustments, and administrative reimbursement support. Accessories including chargers, TV transmitters, remote microphones, and remote controls complement the product portfolio.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- Hearing Aids (Appareils auditifs) Retail sale of hearing aids from major international brands, fitted and serviced in Unisson centers; includes entry-level (100% Santé Class 1 at 950 EUR), mid-range (Confort 995-1,095 EUR), and premium tiers (Performance 1,195-1,395 EUR), plus Bluetooth, rechargeable, invisible, and tinnitus-masking options.
- Starkey Genesis AI 24 mRIC R Premium rechargeable micro RIC hearing aid with AI-powered Neuro Sound processing, lithium-ion battery, fall detection, health tracking, and Bluetooth streaming; suitable for mild to severe hearing loss.
- Starkey Genesis AI 24 RIC RT Premium rechargeable RIC hearing aid with induction coil, Neuro Starkey AI processor, fall detection, health tracking, and 4-year warranty.
- Starkey Emetteur TV Genesis AI TV transmitter accessory that streams television audio directly to compatible Starkey Genesis AI hearing aids. Priced at 225 EUR.
- Starkey Mini Micro déporté Remote microphone accessory worn by a speaker to improve speech understanding for hearing aid users in noisy environments or over distance. Priced at 179 EUR.
- Starkey Télécommande StarLink 2.0 Remote control for adjusting volume and switching programs on StarLink-compatible Starkey hearing aids. Priced at 199 EUR.
- Starkey Chargeur StarLink 2.0 Fast-charging dock for Starkey Genesis AI rechargeable hearing aids, delivering approximately 3 hours of battery life from 7 minutes of charging. Priced at 275 EUR.
- Free Hearing Assessment (Bilan auditif gratuit)
- 30-Day Free Trial (Essai gratuit)
- Unlimited Follow-up and Adjustments (Suivi et réglage illimité)
- Administrative Reimbursement Support
- Express Hearing Aid Repair (Dépannage et réparation express)
- Online Hearing Test (Test auditif en ligne)
- Carte ZEN Insurance (Carte ZEN Assurance)
Quantifiable outcome
- 97% patient satisfaction rate
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Unisson
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments3 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Unisson technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed No
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
Integration4 records
AI capability7 records
Feature4 records
Unisson partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
16 partnerships are on record, tiered minor and core.
- Association Humanitaire MBorominorHumanitarian partnership supporting hearing screenings and optical equipment in Mboro, Senegal. Unisson contributes to financing the first and only free school for deaf children (YAKAAR) in Senegal. Annual missions provide hearing tests, hearing aids, custom earmolds, and glasses to underserved populations.
- SigniacoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers. One of 12 global brands partnered with Unisson.
- PhonakcoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- StarkeycoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers. Starkey provides Genesis AI and other advanced hearing aid lines including rechargeables and Bluetooth-connected devices.
- WidexcoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- ResoundcoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- OticoncoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- BernafoncoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers. Also supports Association Humanitaire MBoro through donations of equipment and batteries.
- UnitroncoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- PhilipscoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- BeltonecoreMajor hearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- HansatoncoreHearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- SoniccoreHearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- RextoncoreHearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- CoselgicoreHearing aid manufacturer whose products are distributed through Unisson centers.
- Purchasing Central (250 centers)coreCentralized purchasing network allowing franchisees to benefit from competitive pricing on hearing aids and supplies through collective buying power across 250 affiliated centers.
Scale indicators11 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Unisson competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Amplifon: Global leader in hearing aid retail with thousands of centers across multiple countries including France. Directly comparable as a hearing care retailer serving similar demographics, though Amplifon operates premium positioning vs. Unisson's low-cost leadership.
- Sonova: Swiss hearing care company owning brands Phonak and Unitron, both distributed by Unisson. While primarily a manufacturer, Sonova also operates retail channels, making it both a supplier and indirect competitor in the integrated hearing care space.
- Demant: Danish hearing care group owning Oticon, Bernafon, and Audika (Unisson's direct competitor). Vertically integrated manufacturer-retailer with hearing aid brands distributed by Unisson and a French retail network through Audika.
Direct peers
- Optical Center: Major French optical retail chain that has expanded into hearing aid sales with audiology centers nationwide. Comparable multi-brand hearing aid retailer competing on price and accessibility in the French market.
- Audika: French hearing aid retail chain (now part of Demant) operating centers across France. Direct competitor offering similar audiology services and hearing aid sales, with overlapping geographic coverage in major French cities.
- Lissac Audition: Hearing care division of Lissac optical retail brand operating audiology centers in France. Comparable multi-brand hearing aid retailer with similar geographic coverage in major French cities.
- Entendre: French cooperative network of independent audiologists offering hearing aids from multiple manufacturers. Comparable multi-brand retailer with similar transparency and service-focused positioning across France.
- Alain Afflelou Acousticien: Hearing care arm of the Alain Afflelou optical retail brand operating audiology centers in France. Competes directly in multi-brand hearing aid retail with focus on accessibility and competitive pricing.
- Krys Audition: Hearing aid retail division of Krys Group (major French optical cooperative). Offers hearing aids across price tiers with national network coverage, competing directly with Unisson for price-sensitive French consumers.
- AuditionSanté: French hearing aid retail chain with national network of centers offering multi-brand hearing aids. Direct competitor focused on accessible pricing and audiology services in France.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat5 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Unisson social profiles
Digital presenceUnisson compliance and trust
Trust signalCompliance1 record
Unisson financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Unisson leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles7 records
Unisson funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Unisson M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Unisson
What does Unisson do?
Unisson is an audiology retail and service provider operating physical hearing aid centers across France and Belgium. The company sells hearing instruments from 12 major global manufacturers (Starkey, Signia, Phonak, Widex, Resound, Oticon, and others) across entry-level, mid-range, and premium tiers, and bundles each sale with audiology services such as hearing assessments, fitting, unlimited adjustments, 30-day trials, tele-audiology remote support, and administrative assistance for social security and mutual insurance reimbursements.
Is Unisson a public or private company?
Unisson is a private company. It is classified as founder individual operated bootstrapped and is currently operating.
When was Unisson founded?
Unisson was founded in 2006. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is Unisson based?
Unisson is headquartered in Paris, France, in the Europe region.
How does Unisson make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Hearing Aid Sales are the primary driver. The others are franchise Fees, accessories and Consumables and warranty Extensions and Insurance.
Who are Unisson's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Amplifon, Sonova and Demant. Direct peers are Optical Center, Audika, Lissac Audition, Entendre, Alain Afflelou Acousticien, Krys Audition and AuditionSanté.
Does Unisson have an API?
No public API is recorded for Unisson.
What industry is Unisson in?
Unisson's product category is Audiology services and hearing aid retail. Its primary akta.pro industry code is HLAKAMAI, Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated). Its NAICS code is 621340 and its SIC code is 8090.