Sonova USA Inc. (“Sonova USA”), part of the global Sonova Group, fosters a world in which there is a solution to every hearing loss and all people equally enjoy the delight of hearing. 

We’ve implemented a Brand Protection Program (“Program”) for the United States, including the Sonova USA Brand Standards (“Standards”), for several reasons:

• to facilitate end consumers having a positive experience with and optimal benefit from our Phonak and Unitron branded products (“Branded Products”), regardless of where they purchase (in person or online);
• to enable our hearing care professional customers to compete fairly and in a manner consistent with applicable legal and ethical standards; and
• to protect our valued brands and the premium quality of Branded Products. 

The Standards require that any retailer of Branded Products (“Retailer”) abides by the following requirements, among others:

• Retailer is responsible for ensuring it maintains all necessary and required professional licenses and certifications required for fitting, dispensing and marketing hearing instruments in its state and community;
• Retailer is responsible for following state and federal law in their marketing, testing, fitting and dispensing practices;
• Retailer is required to be appropriately credentialed by any and all applicable third-party payers for services rendered and goods dispensed to the third-party payers’ beneficiaries;
• Retailer is responsible for requiring patients to submit a valid audiogram from a licensed hearing care professional (“HCP”);
• Retailer is responsible for providing an in-person or remote fitting (as permitted by applicable law, rule, or regulation) and a fine-tuning appointment with an HCP; and
• Retailer is responsible for making follow-up care by an HCP available to the end consumer.

The Program also requires Retailers to abide by additional product care and customer service expectations with respect to their offering for sale and sale of the Branded Products.

With this page, we're reaffirming our commitment to the requirements for prescription hearing aids as medical devices, regulated by the FDA.  Through the Program and Standards, we aim to ensure that recipients of Branded Products receive high-quality products and appropriate treatment and professional support to facilitate an outstanding user experience, whether in a traditional setting or online.

End user consumers should be aware of the possible risks that may result from purchasing Branded Products (purported or genuine) online through any party not covered by the Program and that is not aware of and does not follow the Standards. Branded Products (or products that are advertised as such, but which are not genuine products) purchased from an unauthorized seller could be:

• defective, damaged or refurbished; or 
• stolen, counterfeit, or imported into the United States by someone other than Sonova USA or its affiliate.

Purchasing products from an unauthorized seller may not provide you with the benefits you expect from Branded Products. 

In addition, the purchase of a Branded Product from a source that does not comply with the Program and the Standards may result in the Original Manufacturer's Warranties for the product being null and void, in which event Sonova USA may appropriately choose not to accept return of such a product nor accept return of such a product to Sonova USA for service. 

If you are uncertain about whether an online Retailer is authorized, please contact us by completing the form below or emailing us at OnlineSales@Phonak.com.

If you are an end-user consumer and suspect a Retailer is operating in a manner inconsistent with the Program or the Standards, please let us know by completing the form below or emailing us at OnlineSales@Phonak.com.