Our Mission
We help people hear better.
About Us
The Hörzentrum Oldenburg is a nonprofit organization (gGmbH) at the heart of hearing research in Oldenburg. We bring together scientific expertise, audiological methodology, product development, contract research, and hearing counseling under one roof.
As an affiliated institute of the University of Oldenburg and the Evangelical Hospital, and as a partner in the Hearing4all Cluster of Excellence, we bridge the gap between basic university research, clinical application, hearing acoustics, and industry.
Our work is evidence-based, interdisciplinary, and strongly grounded in practical application. It is precisely this combination of applied research, practical application, and market insight that sets us apart.
Our mission is to help people hear better. In doing so, we contribute to improved communication, social inclusion, and quality of life.
What We Do
We develop, test, and translate research findings into practical solutions for improved hearing. This includes audiological products, measurement and fitting procedures, contract research services, and counseling services for people with hearing loss. In doing so, we collaborate with partners from academia, clinical settings, the hearing aid industry, and the private sector.
Our goal is to build on existing insights to create practical applications, services, and products that deliver real value.
We see ourselves as a translation hub: we translate research into practical applications and use real-world needs to inform new research and development questions. This leads to solutions that are scientifically sound, user-oriented, and market-relevant.
Our work spans the entire value chain—from applied research and methodological and product development to evaluation, delivery, consulting, and data-driven services.
What We Stand For
Our actions are guided by a clear set of values. We work together with respect and trust, and we all pull together. We address issues openly, take responsibility, and do our very best.
In doing so, we combine sustainability, pragmatism, entrepreneurial thinking, passion, customer focus, responsiveness, and evidence-based decision-making.
As a nonprofit organization, we have a special responsibility: to the people we serve, to the quality of our research, and to the use of our funds.
Human dignity, solidarity, social justice, and high ethical standards are not mere afterthoughts to us, but rather the foundation of our actions.
These include high quality standards, responsible research, a respectful corporate culture, employee involvement, transparency, and a family-friendly, livable work environment.
Our History
Founding of Hörzentrum Oldenburg GmbH
This is the result of many years of groundwork and development by Prof. Dr. Dr. Birger Kollmeier, Dr. Rüdiger Schönfeld, Prof. Dr. Hohmann, Stephan Albani, Hans-Peter Bessmann, and the Evangelical Hospital. It all began with four employees working out of a portable office on the University of Oldenburg campus.
Selected as a BMBF Center of Excellence
HörTech’s origins can be traced back to the BMBF competition “Centers of Excellence in Medical Technology.” HörTech was selected as one of eight funded centers, laying the foundation for its future development.
Developing a sustainable business idea
From the very beginning, the goal was to do more than simply fund research. Rather, the aim was to establish a nonprofit research company with a sustainable business model and its own revenue stream.
Building a strong partner network
The project was based on collaborations with partners from academia, healthcare, and industry – including the University of Oldenburg, the Oldenburg Hearing Center, the Evangelical Hospital, and companies such as Siemens, AudioService, and KIND.
Founding of HörTech gGmbH
Established as a center of excellence for hearing aid system technology by the Hörzentrum Oldenburg and the University of Oldenburg.
Start-up phase and initial projects
During the start-up phase, key structures were established, including a scientific advisory board, a competence network, a quality management system, and processes for contracts and grant funding. At the same time, the first research and product development projects were launched.
Establishment of core business areas
The areas that define the company today have evolved: Research & Development, Product Development & Sales, Training & Development, and Marketing & Communications.
Market Establishment, Networking, and Development of Key Products
The collaboration with MHH Hannover was expanded, and the initial foundations of what would later become “Auditory Valley” were laid. At the same time, the product range was further developed and established in the market.
During this phase, the Oldenburg measurement programs – which included international speech tests – were developed, along with other audiological procedures and the Master Hearing Aid as a research platform.
Expansion and Internationalization
With awards such as the German Future Prize and the “Hearing4all” Cluster of Excellence, the Hörzentrum Oldenburg has gained national and international recognition.
International Networking and Knowledge Transfer
International cooperation will be further professionalized. Research findings will be increasingly translated into products and applications and incorporated into national and international projects.
Merger of Hörzentrum Oldenburg GmbH and HörTech gGmbH to form Hörzentrum Oldenburg gGmbH
What belongs together is coming together. This merger will bring together the strengths of both companies.