Sonova Unveils Mobile Hearing Demo Shelter With Genelec Smart IP Immersive Audio

Sonova has introduced a purpose‑built Sound Demo Shelter that brings immersive audio to its live hearing care demonstrations, using Genelec's Smart IP loudspeakers to deliver precise, repeatable 3D soundscapes.

The Swiss hearing care group, whose brand portfolio includes Phonak, Unitron, AudioNova, Sennheiser and Advanced Bionics, is using the installation to help audiences appreciate the impact of modern hearing solutions in realistic environments at exhibitions and stakeholder events worldwide.

Live Phonak demonstrations are a mainstay at industry gatherings such as the EUHA International Congress of Hearing Aid Acousticians, and the new shelter elevates these sessions by recreating complex listening scenarios in a controlled space. The project was led by Sonova Hearing Performance Engineer Fabian Hohl, who wanted to make it easier for unimpaired listeners to understand the challenges of hearing loss and the benefits of advanced hearing instruments.

"We previously tried to build a sound demo to simulate the experience, but it proved overly complicated," Hohl said. "The stress of an event like EUHA is always high, so working night shifts every time to set up the live sound demo only added more pressure. We knew there had to be a better way — and that's when the idea for the Sound Demo Shelter was born."

Sonova repurposed a second‑hand communications container sourced from the German army to house the entire system, prioritising audio quality, reliability and neat installation. "Once we had the container, our focus turned to audio," Hohl continued. "When showcasing the features of hearing instruments, the quality of the sound is crucial. I was looking for a PoE solution that would be visually discreet and without lots of messy cables. If you look at the loudspeaker market, the only truly professional brand who offers this solution is Genelec with their Smart IP range."

To validate the choice, Sonova worked with Genelec's Swiss distributor Arocom to audition Smart IP models before finalising the design. 'After testing both the compact 4410 and the larger 4420 model, we opted for sixteen 4420 loudspeakers," he states. "They were arranged inside the Sound Demo Shelter in two overhead circles of eight, mounted on the ceiling above two GRAS KEMAR mannequins, with a single 7360 subwoofer in the centre."

In use, the KEMAR head‑and‑torso mannequins capture the sound exactly as a human listener would perceive it, allowing visitors outside the container to switch headphones between the two and compare specific hearing aid features. This approach helps Sonova present spatially complex environments — from multi‑talker conversations to busy public spaces — while keeping setup and operation consistent across events.

"The two circles of 8x 4420s enable us to create an authentic 3D sound," Hohl explained. "It's powerful for showcasing how cutting-edge hearing aids handle real-world, spatially complex listening situations.

"Visitors experience a guided sound demonstration of how Phonak's hearing aid features tackle real-world listening situations," says Hohl. "Depending on the innovation of the solution, the listening experience may simulate different scenarios, such as at a restaurant or a party, streaming media, or in reverberant spaces.

"The upgraded sound demo has helped build trust through self-experience as attendees can hear the difference and judge the impact of the innovation based on their acoustic impression," he adds. "It's the perfect tool for Sonova's needs. We can take it wherever we need, whether it's internal or external events, exhibitions, visitor or investor meetings."

The Smart IP platform's PoE architecture helps keep cabling tidy while delivering audio, power and control over standard network infrastructure — a key requirement for rapid deployment in exhibition settings. For Sonova, the result is a mobile, scalable and highly repeatable demonstration that aligns with its mission to deepen understanding of hearing care through sound.

"Audio allows visitors to engage with hearing aid performance in an environment that feels remarkably true to life — and with superior loudspeaker quality, we can recreate a natural soundscape that reflects the power of the technology Sonova offers."

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