The History of Beltone

Founded in 1940, Beltone remains the most trusted brand for quality products and care among its patients and adults aged 50 and older.

•  1940s 
•  1950s 
•  1960s 
•  1970s 
•  1980s 
•  1990s 
•  2000s 

1940

Beltone opens for business in Chicago. Model H™ hearing aid is introduced.

1944

Beltone launches Mono-Pac™, the industry's first all-in-one hearing aid.

1946

Beltone introduces Harmony™, the first hearing aid to use new smaller batteries.

1950

Models wearing see-through dresses introduce the Beltone Melody™ body aid.

1956

Beltone launches Hear-N-See™, the
first ear-level binaural hearing aids.

1958

Beltone launches its first behind-the-ear hearing aid, the Minuet™.

1960

Beltone builds its brand name on CBS radio programs, such as Beat the Clock.

1963

Beltone moves to new state-of-the-art custom manufacturing plant in Chicago.

1969

Beltone makes earmolds for every astronaut for use during lift-off, re-entry.

1971

Beltone expands headquarters with space for hearing loss research.

1972

Beltone holds international conventions to support its global business.

1979

Beltone Canada opens for business.

1983

Beltone introduces Ode™, its first custom in-the-canal hearing instrument.

1988

Actor Eddie Albert Beltone spokesman for the Beltone Petite™ hearing aid.

1989

Beltone unveils the most powerful canal aid on the market, the Opera Max™.

1994

Beltone introduces Invisa™, a hearing aid so small that it is virtually invisible.

1996

Beltone SelectaFit™ fitting software for customized patient fittings introduced.

1998

Beltone introduces Beltone Digital™, its first hearing aid with digital technology.

2002

Beltone AVE.™,
fitting and verification system for hearing aids introduced.

2007

Beltone introduces Marq™, the smallest hearing instrument in its class.

2011

Beltone True™ offers 2.4 GHz wireless streaming of sound from favorite devices.