Phonak, the leading global provider of hearing instruments and wireless communication solutions, today announces that its innovative approach to design has been acknowledged by the Red Dot judges who onJuly 4th will place their prestigious mark of excellence on two Phonak products: Audéo V10 and Roger™ Touchscreen Mic. The international distinction for high quality design confirms the attention given by Phonak to user's needs, who demand not only performance but products with great aesthetics.

The cutting edge high capabilities of the Audéo V10 hearing aid – which won out in the life science and medicine category – has helped those with mild hearing loss overcome the stigma of relying on hearing technology, being the smallest receiver in canal (RIC) hearing aid manufactured by Phonak.

The intuitive Roger Touchscreen Mic – awarded in the communications/microphones category – offers teachers a state-of-the-art method allowing inclusion of schoolchildren with hearing issues. This innovative wireless device with touch screen can be worn on the teacher's body transmitting the voice directly into the children's hearing device, or it can be placed amidst a group of children on the table so that the child with hearing loss can hear all their friends speak. It has a rounded and very human design with warmer colors that allow it to be worn comfortably by the user.

"Design plays a central role to the all-important audiological function of our devices and users are benefiting more and more from our unique approach to design. Many people with hearing loss feel there is a stigma associated to wearing hearing aid devices and design ensures that stigma is reduced by being easy to use, comfortable and available in aesthetically pleasing forms and colors," says Martyn Beedham, Design Director at Phonak.

Phonak's attention to design and aesthetics is translated in many creative workshops conducted across the world with end users and hearing care professionals. The company is recognized as being at the forefront of great design and usability in the hearing aid industry.

"Hearing performance is primary but the evolution of the design means people can live their lives that bit easier and do the things they want without being limited by hearing issues. Design allows this important technology to fit into people's lives seamlessly," adds Martyn Beedham.

The attention given by Phonak to design has been recognized several times by different prestigious design awards. In the beginning of 2016, the Roger Pen – an advanced wireless microphone for those affected by hearing loss – won the iF design award.

The Red Dot Award for high design quality welcomed in participants from 57 nations with 5,200 products and innovations under consideration for the Red Dot Award: Product Design 2016.

Professor Dr. Peter Zec, founder and president of the Red Dot Award highlights that "with their performances, the Red Dot winners not only demonstrated an extraordinary design quality, but they also showed that design is an integral part of innovative product solutions."

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