Phonak Insight High-tech Ceramic Innovation in hearing aid housing technology Hearing aid technology has undergone significant progress over the past decades. Major milestones were the transition from analog to digital hearing aids in the mid-nineties, frequency compression algorithms and lately binaural directional features that build on real-time full audio transmission between hearing instruments. At the same time, the design of hearing aid housings has advanced by making hearing aids smaller, less visible and more ergonomic and by offering more color choices, hence supporting a variety of hearing aid user lifestyles. Users have therefore been able to profit from better hearing performance as well as esthetics. Nevertheless, there was still room for improvement when it comes to the wearing comfort of hearing instruments and the long-lasting appeal of their With the introduction of high-tech ceramics for housings, Phonak leads the field in addressing the end-users' increasing demand for high-value, more durable, comfortable and cosmetically appealing hearing aids. High-tech ceramic applications today Advances in materials engineering and processing technologies have led to the use of high-tech ceramics in a variety of industries. Whereas in many applications high-tech ceramics are not necessarily visible nor particularly well- known to the consumer, today's exceedingly technological world clearly could not function without them anymore. Properties such as extreme hardness and high mechanical strength, outstanding biocompatibility and esthetic appeal, light weight as well as chemical inertness make high-tech ceramics indispensable for numerous applications. The fields of medical technology, luxury consumer goods and aerospace (to mention just a few) utilize the unique and manifold advantages of this branch of materials. The watch industry for example uses high-tech ceramics due to their scratch-proof quality and high wearing comfort. Watches made from high-tech ceramics look as good as new even after an extended period of wearing time. Ceramic tooth restorations provide a beautifully natural look and are highly wear resistant. Chefs and amateur cooks use ceramic knives for their light weight, long-lasting sharpness and their resistance against bacteria, kitchen acids and salts. This resistance also ensures the material stays rust-proof. High- tech ceramics even protect space shuttles against extreme friction heat at their re-entry into the atmosphere after a Straumann® CARES® abutment, Ceramic knives ceramic (on Straumann® Bone © 2010 by Kyocera Corporation Level Implant) High-tech ceramic hearing aids Appealing cosmetics, high durability and utmost wearing comfort are the key user needs that high-tech ceramic hearing aids meet. High-tech ceramic housings have a high- polished surface and their ^^^^^^^ deep color. The slightly greater weight compared PHONAK BffrBSi^M

to polymer housings supports a high-value feel. The material's extreme hardness makes the housings serateh-resistant, and together with excellent chemical and biological inertness as well as UV resistance, high-tech ceramic allows this appeal to last for a long time. Lotions, sweat and other daily environmental influences will not alter it. The biological resistance also makes ceramic hearing instruments very Audeo S SMART High-tech Ceramic The material's tactility, the extent of its thermal conductivity and excellent biocompatibility give ceramic hearing instruments high wearing comfort. Additionally,...

distribution in the mold and several other parameters play a crucial role in achieving the defined dimensions and mechanical properties of the product. During the subsequent sintering (firing) at temperatures beyond 1000°C/1832°F, a controlled process that lasts from several hours up to days, the ceramic particles grow together and a high theoretical density (i.e. low porosity) is achieved. The component accordingly undergoes a shrinkage of 20-30% during the sintering process. This shrinkage must be taken into consideration in advance when designing the injection mold and poses major challenges...