History

This timeline shows the major corporate and product events of Beltone’s more than 70 years of history:

1930s	Sam Posen makes first hearing aid to help a friend to enjoy life more
1940	The Beltone company is officially formed in Chicago, Illinois, USA The Model H hearing aid is introduced
1942	Start of the exclusive distribution network business model
1945	Harmony, the world’s smallest hearing aid, is introduced
1958	The first behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, Minuet, is introduced
1961	The first in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid comes to market Beltone is now represented in 38 countries
1990s	Introduction of digital hearing aids Industry leader in small completely-in-the-canal (CIC) hearing aids
1997	Beltone is sold to J.W. Childs
1999	Philips Hearing Technologies is acquired by Beltone
2000	Beltone is sold to GN Store Nord and continues as an independent brand within the corporate frames of GN ReSound
2004	Launch of EDGE leading the industry into open fitting hearing aids
2007	Beltone launches Beltone Marq, the world's smallest Receiver-In-Ear hearing instrument at the time
2009	Beltone Touch introduces Microphone-in-Concha (MIC) technology, setting new standards for natural amplification, wind-noise reduction and minimal size
2010	Beltone introduces Beltone True, featuring the world's smallest Receiver-in-the-ear and the industry's first 2.4 GHz wireless technology for its Direct Line of wireless hearing instrument accessories.