Beltone hearing aids are made by GN Hearing A/S, the hearing division of Danish technology group GN Store Nord. Beltone is both a manufacturer and a retail network, designing its own hearing aid technology and distributing through over 1,500 independently owned hearing care centers in the US and internationally.
Beltone hearing aids are designed and manufactured by GN Hearing A/S, headquartered in Ballerup, Denmark. GN Hearing also makes the ReSound brand and is a division of GN Store Nord. In March 2026, GN Store Nord announced it is selling GN Hearing to Amplifon S.p.A. in a $2.6 billion deal. Once the deal closes, Beltone’s manufacturing operations will transfer to Amplifon’s ownership. Beltone was founded in Chicago in 1940 by Sam Posen.
Beltone is a recognized name in American hearing care, with roots going back to 1940. Its devices are manufactured on the same technology platform as its sister brand ReSound, sharing chip development and AI processing architectures, while being sold through a distinct franchise-based retail network.
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Who Makes Beltone Hearing Aids?
GN Hearing A/S is the manufacturer behind all Beltone hearing aids. GN Hearing is a division of GN Store Nord, a Danish company founded in 1869 originally as a telegraph company that has evolved into a global audio technology group.
GN Store Nord operates two main divisions: GN Hearing, which makes medical hearing devices under the Beltone and ReSound brands, and GN Audio, which makes enterprise and consumer headsets under the Jabra brand. The two divisions share research in areas like digital signal processing and low-power chip design, which benefits both product lines.
GN Hearing’s global headquarters are in Ballerup, Denmark, near Copenhagen. Its North American headquarters moved in late 2024 to a new facility in Shakopee, Minnesota, representing a 79% increase in space to accommodate growth. Approximately 550 people work in Minnesota, more than half in manufacturing roles.
Who Owns Beltone and What Is Changing in 2026?
Beltone is currently owned by GN Store Nord through its GN Hearing division. However, in March 2026, GN Store Nord announced a definitive agreement to sell GN Hearing to Amplifon S.p.A. for $2.6 billion. Amplifon is the Italian company that already owns the Miracle-Ear hearing care franchise network in the United States.
The deal includes Beltone, ReSound, and all other GN Hearing brands, their intellectual property, manufacturing operations, and the Beltone franchise network partnerships. Once the transaction closes, Beltone will operate under Amplifon’s ownership, and GN Store Nord will refocus as a pure audio and video peripherals technology company built around the Jabra brand.
For existing Beltone customers, the brand’s management and Amplifon have indicated the Beltone brand identity, network, and product lineup will continue. Amplifon has a track record of maintaining acquired brands intact, as demonstrated with Miracle-Ear’s continued independent identity under its ownership.
What Is the History of Beltone?
Sam Posen founded Beltone in Chicago, Illinois in 1940, introducing the company’s first model, the Model H hearing aid. From its founding, Beltone focused on expanding through a network of local hearing care professionals, a distribution model that created its large geographic footprint.
Key milestones include the launch of the Mono-Pac in 1944, the introduction of its first custom in-the-canal hearing aid in 1983, and its first digital hearing aid in 1998. In 2014, Beltone released the first hearing aid made specifically for the iPhone, demonstrating early leadership in direct smartphone connectivity.
GN Group acquired Beltone in 2000, integrating its retail network strength with GN’s engineering and manufacturing capabilities. The combination created one of the most vertically integrated hearing care companies in the world, owning both the manufacturing technology and a direct-to-consumer retail network.
What Beltone Hearing Aid Models Are Available in 2025 and 2026?
In February 2025, GN Hearing launched the Beltone Envision, the brand’s first AI-powered hearing aid using a Deep Neural Network chip trained on millions of real-world sound samples. The Envision is built on the same technology platform as the ReSound Vivia and is designed to distinguish speech from background noise in real time.
Launched alongside Envision was the Beltone Commence, a more affordable essentials-tier product using the same foundational chip without the full AI processing layer. In August 2025, Beltone launched the Boost Max S, a super-power hearing aid for severe-to-profound hearing loss and the first Beltone power aid to support Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast broadcast audio.
The current lineup also includes the Beltone Serene (introduced September 2023), Achieve, Rely, and various custom-fit models. All Beltone hearing aids are available through Beltone’s 1,500-plus authorized hearing care centers in the US.
Beltone vs Miracle-Ear vs Phonak vs Oticon: How Do They Compare?
Beltone and Miracle-Ear are the two largest franchise-based hearing care networks in the US, each with over 1,500 centers. The critical difference is that Beltone manufactures its own devices through GN Hearing while Miracle-Ear sources from third-party manufacturers.
Phonak, owned by Sonova, and Oticon, owned by Demant, are pure manufacturers distributed through independent audiologists and clinics. These brands offer more flexibility in service location since any certified audiologist can program their devices.
Beltone, like Miracle-Ear, locks its hearing aids to its own service network. This creates a service dependency on Beltone-authorized centers. For buyers who want a large local network with manufacturer-backed technology, Beltone is a strong option. For buyers who prioritize being able to service their hearing aids at any audiologist, Phonak or Oticon are better choices. You can find hearing aid batteries, accessories, and cleaning kits on Amazon for any hearing aid brand.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who makes Beltone hearing aids?
Beltone hearing aids are designed and manufactured by GN Hearing A/S, the hearing division of Danish technology group GN Store Nord. GN Hearing also makes the ReSound brand. In March 2026, GN Store Nord announced it is selling GN Hearing to Amplifon S.p.A. for $2.6 billion, which will transfer Beltone’s manufacturing operations to Amplifon’s ownership once the deal closes.
When was Beltone founded?
Beltone was founded in 1940 by Sam Posen in Chicago, Illinois. It introduced its first model, the Model H hearing aid, the same year. GN Group acquired Beltone in 2000. The company has been based in Chicago throughout its 85-year history and maintains over 1,500 hearing care centers across the United States.
Is Beltone being sold?
Yes. In March 2026, GN Store Nord announced a definitive $2.6 billion agreement to sell GN Hearing, which includes Beltone and ReSound, to Amplifon S.p.A. The deal is pending regulatory approvals. Amplifon already owns the Miracle-Ear hearing care franchise network in the US. Beltone’s brand and operations are expected to continue under Amplifon’s ownership.
What is the latest Beltone hearing aid model?
The Beltone Envision, launched in February 2025, is the brand’s latest and most advanced AI-powered hearing aid, featuring a Deep Neural Network chip trained on millions of real-world sound samples for speech-in-noise performance. The Beltone Boost Max S, launched in August 2025, is the newest super-power model for severe-to-profound hearing loss and the first Beltone power aid with Bluetooth LE Audio and Auracast support.
I am Jack Neel, a mechanical engineer, researcher, and writer. I created this website to share my knowledge about different brands and products with you. I research the manufacturers behind the brands and provide you with the information you need to make smart buying decisions.