Key dates

1976 Alain and Jean-Claude Tonnard create a structured network of hearing correction centers in a market consisting entirely of independent hearing aid practitioners.
 
1977 Alain and Jean-Claude Tonnard set up a purchasing centre, Sarffa, while at the same time taking the first steps to introduce an organized advertising campaign directed at the general public and the medical profession. This leads to the simultaneous introduction of one of the first structured communication channels between the general public and the medical profession.
 
1978 Otometry is introduced in France, revolutionizing the hearing aid sector by introducing the notion of a comfort threshold.
 
1979 The first intra-auricular aids are marketed in France. 
1983 Audika launches its first national advertising campaign.
 
1990 The Audika brand is created, and the Group’s first TV ads are broadcast.
 
1998 Audika is listed on the Second Marché of the Paris Bourse on May 26.
 
1999 Development of an acquisitions program with four acquisitions, two of which were major (a regional network in central France and Elstar). First sales of third-generation digital products.
 
2000 Acquisition of 26 centers, set-up of 8 centers and integration of 3 franchised centers.
 
2001 Acquisition of 10 new centers and integration of 7 franchised centers.
2002 Acquisition of 25 centers and set-up of 4 centers.
2003 Acquisition of 39 new centers including the major acquisition of L’Aide Auditive – Bernard Azéma (23 centers located in 9 departments). Acquisition of 12 centers and set-up of 2 centers.
 
2004 Acquisition of 19 new centers, integration of 3 franchised centers and the set-up of 11 centers. Launch of the ‘Audika Kids’ department.
 
2005 Acquisition of 17 centers and set-up of 9 centers. The network now has over 300 centers. Sales : 70.6M€ 
2006 Acquisition of 20 centers, of which 10 were franchised and set-up of 12 centers, taking the Group’s total network to over 325 centers. Revenue: EUR 79.0 million

2007 Start of international expansion in Italy. Revenue: EUR 92.7 million.