The core competency areas described in this section give you a taste of what it takes to create innovative, top flight digital hearing solutions
Audiology
Digital Signal Processing
Electro-acoustic System Design
IC Design
Marketing
Mechanical Design
Quality Management
Service and Production Support
Software Development
Tool Development
Verification and Quality Systems
Audiology, Joel Beilin
"The Audiology Group focuses on defining how the individual features of each instrument will perform and interact and how the accompanying fitting tools will function. We also make sure that verification tests are completed before the individual products are launched."
"We invest considerable effort in generating, accumulating, and communicating clinical and technical knowledge to the rest of the organisation so that the development and production of future generations of instruments can continue to be based on well-documented and tested audiological principles."
Digital Signal Processing, Soren Riis
"In the DSP Group we develop new and innovative signal processing and control algorithms. This includes amplification strategies, anti-feedback systems, noise reduction systems, statistical and non-linear signal processing and automatic control."
"We participate in all phases of development, from the conceptual phase to high-level simulations, implementation on dedicated ASIC's, and field tests with hearing-impaired users. The tools we use include state-of-the-art commercial systems such as Matlab."
"Since a very important aspect of our work is to invent new signal processing concepts, research is a top priority. We collaborate with specialists at Eriksholm Research Centre and with universities and external research institutions across the world."
Electro-acoustic System Design, Andreas Schousboe
"It is our task to ensure that the hearing aids we produce conform to local standards and that they can function in all types of circumstances. So we are heavily involved in development and testing and verification."
"The measurements we take are compared with simulations based on complex models of hearing instruments. We use vibro-acoustical measurements and acoustical holography, two techniques that provide a precise picture of the acoustical conditions in a given instrument. Being leading edge means always being able to solve more and more complex tasks. And since this puts more demands on our measurement equipment, we often have to develop our own tools. Our tasks are many and varied, which gives us plenty of opportunity to customise our own jobs."
IC Design, Mogens C Balby
"In the IC Centre we develop the Integrated Circuits that digitise the sound signal for processing and amplification. Our goal is to provide maximum calculative power using minimum battery consumption and we utilise the very latest computer technologies and tools to achieve this."
"As a mathematical motor and audiological amplifier, the IC performs millions of calculations per second to meet the individual needs of the user. It analyses the environment and decides whether to apply features such as directionality or compression in order to make the sound signal easier to hear."
"An IC measuring just 3x3 mm will typically take 15 designers 18 months to develop; just five seconds of sound can easily take five hours to simulate on 20 machines running in parallel. The process of making complicated circuits as simple as possible is challenging, but extremely rewarding."
Marketing, Jens Frederik Olsen
"We are here to make sure that the voice of the market is heard in every aspect of the development process. We monitor market demands and trends by working closely with our sales companies and with hearing care professionals and consumers all over the world."
"Our many tasks include providing input for new products, developing communication concepts and marketing strategies and supervising market introductions. We also produce technical, marketing and web materials, together with a range of counselling and support tools."
"We work intensively with members of other professional groups, such as audiology, mechanical design and software development. We also work with external agencies in connection with concept development and testing."
Mechanical Design, Morten Falk Reventlow
"Our primary role is to develop advanced platforms for hearing aids. These include the design of intricate plastic, rubber and metal components, and the development of amplifiers (PCB's, packaging and Interconnect). We use E-CAD (PADS), M-CAD (pro/ENGINEER) and mechanical simulation (Ansys) to achieve this."
"We stay abreast of technical developments via supplementary training courses and through exchanging knowledge with industry partners and suppliers. We also cooperate with external suppliers such as universities and industrial designers. This helps us to continue producing ever smaller and more effective solutions."
Quality Management, Pernille Louise Vinten
"The QM group focuses both on establishing preventive measures for Oticon's critical processes and fulfilling the fundamental requirements for external partners such as customers, various authorities and certification bodies etc."
"In order to ensure maximum quality awareness among our employees we provide global education and training. This helps us to consistently improve the quality of internal deliveries, whilst adhering to rigid guidelines regarding documentation."
"To be effective, quality systems must be flexible and expedient. Our systems make information exchange, capacity equalisation and benchmarking far more achievable. In addition to improving procedures, one of the QM group's most important tasks is to maximise the commitment and motivation of our employees."
Service and Production Support, Niels Damsgaard
"The SPS group focuses on ensuring that service and production activities are carried out effectively and in full compliance with established methods in order to keep the quality of the end product consistently high."
"We are responsible for a wide range of materials, from service instructions and user manuals to production and assembly guidelines. We are also involved in internal training and seminars, various follow-up activities, problem-solving and customer visits."
"In addition to this we help to adapt new products for service and production. This is achieved partly through prototype assembly, and partly through pre-production testing performed in the group's own laboratory."
Software Development, Ole Andersen
"Our primary task is to develop the fitting software for our instruments. Hearing care professionals expect top quality solutions and our software Genie is one of the world's best. We use Visual Studio .NET 2005 as our primary tool, and C# as the programming language."
"Software design at Oticon requires being involved at every level in order to define, design and implement the desired functionalities."
"As a group we understand the importance of sparring; it is what enables us to turn the very latest technologies and programming principles into exciting and interactive solutions."
Tool Development, Jorgen Krauch
"The TD group helps to develop and manufacture tools for the production of miniature components. We work with specialists from other relevant groups to develop and produce these components and we are involved in the process from its conceptual phase to the production of the actual prototype."
"During the construction and finalisation phases, we use advanced CNC/CAM-controlled machines plus a number of hi-tech multi-dimensional programming tools. Tasks range from constructing and producing follow-die and moulds for precision plastic and rubber elements."
"In order to remain our core competence we must constantly develop our skills and keep an eye on the latest technologies. We keep a close eye on the latest developments through our contacts in the industry and through visiting major international trade exhibitions."
Verification and Quality Systems, Pernille Louise Vinten
"Our primary goal is to ensure that Oticon instruments remain robust and reliable. We achieve this by testing all parts, components and technologies to make certain that they meet our rigorous quality standards and that all parts can interact without being damaged."
"People in the VQS group work closely with the mechanical and electro-acoustical engineers to ensure that all components are used as intended and that they conform to the design specifications. This is achieved through mechanical, electrical and climatic tests."
"We also support the production units and Oticon's subsidiaries. If unexpected failures are detected, instruments are sent to us for analysis. We then determine the cause of the problem, correct any errors, and make sure that the experience is used when developing new products."