BHM-Tech
BHM-Tech is an Austrian medical device manufacturer specializing in bone conduction hearing systems, audiometric diagnostic devices, and OEM bone conduction components. The firm serves individual consumers, audiologists, ENT clinicians, and hearing implant manufacturers across more than 50 countries, and was acquired by MED-EL in July 2024.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded2002
- HeadquartersGrafenschachen, Austria
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B and B2C
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What BHM-Tech does
BHM-Tech Produktionsgesellschaft mbH is an Austrian medical device manufacturer specializing in bone conduction hearing technology, founded in 2002 and headquartered in Grafenschachen, Burgenland. The company designs, produces, and sells a portfolio of bone conduction hearing systems (contact forte, contact mini, contact star evo1, apollon) alongside analog BTE hearing instruments (Viper 170P), clinical audiometric bone conductors (BC-1, BC-2LD), and OEM electrodynamic bone conduction speaker components that transmit sound via skull vibration directly to the inner ear. It claims world market leadership in bone conduction headphones (Knochenleitungshörer) and emphasizes 'handmade in Austria' quality manufacturing.
The company operates a hybrid B2C/B2B go-to-market: direct-to-consumer e-commerce across 50+ countries via DPD and DHL, complemented by a network of audiologist and hearing-specialist partners, patient organizations (Microtia UK, OHI), and OEM component supply agreements with major hearing implant manufacturers. End customers include children with conductive hearing loss, adults with mild-to-moderate loss, professionals in extreme acoustic environments (military, diving, industrial), ENT physicians using the audiometric devices, and hearing implant manufacturers who use BHM products for non-implant alternative provision. Pricing is unit-based with VAT-inclusive EUR pricing and gated wholesale terms.
Effective July 2024, BHM-Tech was acquired by MED-EL, a global hearing implant leader, integrating BHM's portfolio into MED-EL's worldwide clinic network. Post-acquisition, founder Franz Berl transitioned to an advisory role and MED-EL veteran Markus Hütter assumed the CEO position. The firm remains a privately held Austrian GmbH with 11-50 employees, and in late 2024 announced an AI-powered otoscopic image triaging platform as a software extension of its clinical hearing-loss portfolio.
BHM-Tech firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- BHM-Tech
- Legal name
- BHM-Tech Produktionsgesellschaft mbH
- Website
- https://bhm-tech.at
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 2002
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- BHM-Tech is an Austrian medical device manufacturer specializing in bone conduction hearing systems, audiometric diagnostic devices, and OEM bone conduction components. The firm serves individual consumers, audiologists, ENT clinicians, and hearing implant manufacturers across more than 50 countries, and was acquired by MED-EL in July 2024.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
BHM-Tech industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Hearing Aids and Bone Conduction Hearing Devices
- NAICS
- Electromedical and Electrotherapeutic Apparatus Manufacturing (334510), Surgical and Medical Instrument Manufacturing (339112)
- SIC
- Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Hearables (True Wireless Earbuds & Smart Headphones) (CRACAIAD)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Sports & Fitness Audio (Open‑Ear, Bone Conduction, Neckband) (CRACANAD)
Keywords
Where BHM-Tech is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Grafenschachen
- HQ country
- Austria
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
BHM-Tech business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B and B2C
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Supply Chain, Personnel, Operations, Technology or R&D, Marketing or Sales, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Hearing device sales (B2C): Direct-to-consumer sales of branded hearing systems (contact forte, contact mini, apollon, Viper 170P) and bone conduction headphones through the company's e-commerce shop.
- Component supply to medical device manufacturers: BHM-Tech acts as a component supplier for medical device manufacturers, providing bone conduction headphones and audiometric devices to other hearing implant companies (e.g., used as alternative provision by leading hearing implant manufacturers).
- E-commerce accessories and spare parts: Online shop sells accessories, spare parts, and related hearing products to end consumers and partners, including headbands and data sheets.
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Unit Pricing | Pay-as-you-go | B2C e-commerce — individual hearing devices and accessories |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels5 records
Marketing channels5 records
BHM-Tech product offering
Product offeringCore offering
BHM-Tech designs, manufactures, and sells bone conduction hearing systems, analog and digital hearing aids, clinical audiometric bone conductors, and electrodynamic bone conduction transducer components. The product range spans consumer hearing systems (contact forte, contact mini, contact star evo1, apollon, Viper 170P), clinical diagnostic devices (BC-1, BC-2LD), and OEM bone conduction speakers sold to medical device manufacturers. Manufacturing is performed in Austria ("handmade in Austria") and products are distributed globally.
Product overview
BHM-Tech is an Austria-based medical device manufacturer specializing in hearing solutions. The product portfolio consists of bone conduction hearing systems (contact forte, contact mini, contact star evo1, apollon), analog and digital hearing instruments (Viper 170P), audiometric diagnostic devices (BC-1, BC-2LD), and bone conduction speaker components. The company was acquired by MED-EL in July 2024 and operates as a producer of innovative hearing products handmade in Austria, serving customers in more than 50 countries. In addition to hearing devices, BHM-Tech developed an AI-powered otoscopic image triaging platform technology.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Products and services
- contact forte Digital all-in-one bone conduction hearing system that compensates mild to moderate hearing loss by processing, amplifying, and transmitting sound through bone vibration directly to the inner ear. Features wireless Bluetooth connectivity to communication devices and a dedicated smartphone app for remote control. Aimed at end consumers seeking high-end non-surgical hearing support.
- contact mini World's first digital miniature bone conduction hearing system, designed primarily for children with hearing impairments to support early speech development without surgery. Can be integrated into hair bands, caps, and sports helmets. Also used as an alternative non-implant provision by hearing implant manufacturers.
- contact star evo1 Digital bone conduction hearing system with compact design for hearing loss compensation, part of the BHM-Tech contact product line.
- apollon Pocket-style hearing system marketed as the world's strongest, suitable for both bone conduction and air conduction. Digitally programmable with MP3, radio, and Bluetooth connectivity. Used as an alternative non-implant hearing provision by leading hearing implant manufacturers.
- Viper 170P Analog power behind-the-ear (HdO) hearing aid providing natural sound quality through analog signal processing. Designed for strong hearing loss, with ergonomic-compact design and moisture/sweat-resistant coating.
- Audiometric Bone Conductors BC-1 and BC-2LD Clinical audiometric bone conductors (BC-1 and BC-2LD) used by physicians and hearing acousticians for diagnosing hearing performance. Conforms to international audiometry standards; ultrasonically welded robust housings; compatible with standard metal headbands.
- Knochenleitungshörer (Bone Conduction Speakers) Electrodynamic bone conduction transducers that transmit sound through skull bone directly to the inner ear. Used with hearing aids, MP3 players, and communication/radio devices. Operable in extreme environments (high noise, underwater, with hearing protection, in vacuum/space). BHM-Tech claims world market leadership in this category.
Companies that use BHM-Tech
Customer profileNamed customers3 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles4 records
BHM-Tech technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability2 records
Feature7 records
BHM-Tech partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Five partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MED-ELcoreMED-EL (worldwide leader in hearing implants, Austria) acquired BHM-Tech effective July 2024. The acquisition integrates BHM-Tech's bone conduction technology into MED-EL's portfolio, strengthening MED-EL's position in hearing solutions for conductive hearing loss. All BHM-Tech employees continue in their roles; founder Franz Berl transitioned to advisory role. Leadership assumed by MED-EL veteran Markus Hütter.
- Akustiker.atminorAkustiker.at is an Austrian audiologist network partner. Their logo appears on BHM-Tech's contact page, indicating a referral or distribution relationship for hearing care professionals.
- Microtia UKminorMicrotia UK is a UK-based patient organization for microtia and related ear conditions. Their logo appears on BHM-Tech's contact page, indicating a referral or information partnership supporting patients with microtia in accessing BHM-Tech hearing solutions.
- OHI (Oral Hearing Initiative)minorOHI (Oral Hearing Initiative) is an Austrian patient organization for oral hearing. Their logo appears on BHM-Tech's contact page as a partner organization, likely referring patients with hearing loss to BHM-Tech's non-surgical hearing solutions.
- MedtronicminorMedtronic's logo appears on BHM-Tech's contact page. While the specific nature of the relationship is not detailed in the source material, Medtronic is a major medical device company in the hearing/health sector, suggesting a referral or clinical partnership relationship.
Scale indicators3 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
BHM-Tech competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Starkey Hearing Technologies: Starkey is a major US-based hearing aid manufacturer known for custom-molded and AI-enhanced hearing aids. It competes broadly with BHM-Tech in hearing aids and has invested in health-tracking wearables, overlapping with BHM-Tech's smart, app-connected hearing systems.
- MED-EL: MED-EL is BHM-Tech's parent company and a worldwide leader in hearing implants (cochlear implants, middle ear implants, bone conduction implants). MED-EL's bone conduction implant portfolio directly competes in the same hearing loss segments BHM-Tech addresses, and its global clinic network is now the primary distribution channel for BHM-Tech products.
- Advanced Bionics (Sonova subsidiary): Advanced Bionics, a Sonova company, is a global cochlear implant manufacturer. It is comparable to MED-EL and overlaps with BHM-Tech in clinical hearing implant segments and bone conduction alternative-provision solutions provided to implant patients.
- Demant (Oticon, Bernafon, Sonic): Demant is a major global hearing healthcare group owning Oticon, Bernafon, Sonic, and Oticon Medical (which produces bone-anchored hearing solutions). It competes with BHM-Tech across conventional hearing aids and bone-conduction/BAHA-style devices with vastly greater scale and clinical reach.
- Cochlear Limited: Cochlear is a global leader in implantable hearing solutions (cochlear implants and bone conduction systems such as Baha). As a broad incumbent and strategic acquirer of bone conduction technology, Cochlear is highly comparable to MED-EL and competes with BHM-Tech in clinical hearing implant and bone conduction segments.
- Widex (now part of WS Audiology): Widex, now combined with Sivantos under WS Audiology, is among the largest hearing aid manufacturers globally. It competes with BHM-Tech in the premium digital hearing aid segment and through Signia/Siemens-branded bone-anchored and conventional hearing solutions.
- Sonova (Phonak, Unitron): Sonova is one of the world's largest hearing aid manufacturers through its Phonak and Unitron brands, and has expanded into bone conduction solutions (Phonak Baha). As a broad incumbent in hearing technology with global distribution, Sonova competes with BHM-Tech in the broader hearing solutions market.
- GN Hearing (ReSound, Beltone, Jabra): GN Hearing is one of the 'Big Five' global hearing aid manufacturers, with brands including ReSound, Beltone, and Jabra-enhance. Its smart hearing aids and direct-to-consumer hearing enhancement initiatives overlap with BHM-Tech's digital hearing system and Bluetooth-connected product strategies.
Direct peers
- Shokz (formerly AfterShokz): Shokz is the most prominent consumer bone conduction headphone brand globally, selling open-ear, Bluetooth-enabled bone conduction headphones for sports, running, and everyday use. BHM-Tech and Shokz compete directly in bone conduction audio, though Shokz focuses on consumer audio while BHM-Tech serves hearing-impaired and professional markets.
Emerging players
- Vidonn: Vidonn is a Chinese manufacturer specializing in bone conduction headphones and smart eyewear, competing in the consumer bone conduction audio segment. It is comparable to BHM-Tech's Knochenleitungshörer product line as a lower-cost alternative in the bone conduction speaker/transducer category.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat4 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
BHM-Tech social profiles
Digital presenceBHM-Tech financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
BHM-Tech leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
BHM-Tech funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
BHM-Tech 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 BHM-Tech
What does BHM-Tech do?
BHM-Tech designs, manufactures, and sells bone conduction hearing systems, analog and digital hearing aids, clinical audiometric bone conductors, and electrodynamic bone conduction transducer components. The product range spans consumer hearing systems (contact forte, contact mini, contact star evo1, apollon, Viper 170P), clinical diagnostic devices (BC-1, BC-2LD), and OEM bone conduction speakers sold to medical device manufacturers. Manufacturing is performed in Austria ("handmade in Austria") and products are distributed globally.
Is BHM-Tech a public or private company?
BHM-Tech is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was BHM-Tech founded?
BHM-Tech was founded in 2002. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is BHM-Tech based?
BHM-Tech is headquartered in Grafenschachen, Austria, in the Europe region.
How does BHM-Tech make money?
Three revenue lines are on record. Hearing device sales (B2C) is the primary driver. The others are component supply to medical device manufacturers and E-commerce accessories and spare parts.
Who are BHM-Tech's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Starkey Hearing Technologies, MED-EL, Advanced Bionics (Sonova subsidiary), Demant (Oticon, Bernafon, Sonic), Cochlear Limited, Widex (now part of WS Audiology), Sonova (Phonak, Unitron) and GN Hearing (ReSound, Beltone, Jabra). Shokz (formerly AfterShokz) is listed as a direct peer. Vidonn is listed as an emerging player.
Does BHM-Tech have an API?
No public API is recorded for BHM-Tech.
What industry is BHM-Tech in?
BHM-Tech's product category is Hearing Aids and Bone Conduction Hearing Devices. Its primary akta.pro industry code is CRACAIAD, Hearables (True Wireless Earbuds & Smart Headphones), with a secondary code of CRACANAD, Sports & Fitness Audio (Open‑Ear, Bone Conduction, Neckband). Its NAICS code is 334510 and its SIC code is 3841.