The early 1980s represented a new electronic age which saw the introduction of numerous technical devices to assist consumers in telephone communication and increase their access to and appreciation of music. Products such as personal portable radio/cassette players, FAX machines, cell phones and compact disc technologies were introduced. This time frame was also a period of advancement of in-ear technologies and greater public acceptance of hearing aids. On September 7, 1983, during a routine press conference, the news media observed that President Reagan was wearing a hearing aid in his right ear, which proved to be a priceless endorsement of hearing aids and helped boost sales to record levels. In fact, in 1983, U.S. hearing aid sales surpassed the one million mark for the first time in history. This atmosphere of innovative technology set the stage for the establishment of a new company that would focus on the design of high-fidelity products that measure, improve and protect hearing. Armed with two and one-half degrees in mathematics, a PhD in audiology, and more than 20 years of experience in electronic component manufacturing, Mead Killion took the giant step forward to initiate his own commercial enterprise during the summer of 1983. On the introduction of a mutual friend, Mead was joined by Ed DeVilbiss, who brought a high level of sales and business acumen, both of which were invaluable to the success of the company. When Mead and Ed established Etymotic Research, a friend remarked that starting and sustaining a business was like being on a roller coaster: Many highs and many lows, but you are strapped in and might as well enjoy the ride. Mead believes that the success of a company is never due to just one person. Etymotic is defined as much by its team players as by its founders. Mead is proud of the fact that while he participated in all developments, taught the art or mentored the individuals involved, many of Etymotic’s (nearly 100) patents do not have the name Killion on them. Most projects are a complex blend of art and science. Novel ideas are as likely to germinate at the lunch table as at the boardroom table. Mead is quick to give credit to others and he takes delight in their accomplishments. Mead and Ed always advocated celebrating the small things: Etymotic has toasted a new company sign, the first $1-million month, shipping the 1000th EROSCAN, and countless other events and successes. A summer BBQ on our lawn is as meaningful as a formal holiday party. The success of Etymotic Research is nothing short of remarkable. Etymotic Research developed insert earphones for audiometry and auditory brainstem response testing; otoacoustic emissions screening and diagnostic devices; directional and array microphones; a real-ear probe microphone for research; K-AMP and Digi-K hearing aid circuitry; Companion Mics; Musicians Earplugs; non-custom high-fidelity passive and electronic earplugs; personal noise dosimeters; a sound level meter and a direct-to-consumer personal sound amplifier. Along the way, Etymotic created an entirely new consumer electronics category: Noise-isolating, high-fidelity in-ear earphones. Never losing sight of its mission, Etymotic Research has expanded from audiology-based products to innovative devices for the high-growth consumer electronics and telephony markets. Etymotic has almost 70 employees and many consultants and colleagues who contribute to research and product development. Etymotic is rich in relationships with passionate people from all over the globe. This amazing group shares a common goal: To make the world a better place. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE.... Elk Grove Village, IL. Mead Killion, PhD, has announced the formation of Etymotic Research, Inc., a new company to do research and product development in the hearing instruments field. “We have been extremely fortunate,” says Killion, “that Knowles Electronics has granted us the development rights to three important new products on which I worked. We hope to bring out the first one early in 1984.” Killion has spent 21 years in the hearing aid industry. He helped develop the first subminiature ceramic microphone, the subminiature electret microphone, and subminiature directional microphones. He is probably best known for developing earmold coupling systems to improve both the useful bandwidth and the sound quality of hearing aids. He has been granted eight U.S. patents, either as sole inventor or with co-inventors, and has two more pending. Killion is an Adjunct Professor of Audiology at Northwestern University. He has written and lectured extensively on hearing aids and earmolds, with papers published in the field of electroacoustic, psycho- and physiological acoustics, and audiology. The corporate name ETYMOTIC is pronounced et-im-oh-tik. It is a newly coined “ancient Greek” word, which here means “true to the ear.” The corporate name reflects Killion’s commitment to unflawed sound reproduction for the normal or impaired ear. The Board of Directors of Etymotic Research includes Charles I. Berlin, PhD, Jack Clemis, MD, Barbara Kruger, PhD, E. Robert Libby, Edgar Villchur, and Laura Wilber, PhD We develop products for the ear. We are a product development group. • To be the leader in product development for the ear. • To earn sufficient profit to reach and maintain that leadership. 1. We put the customer first. Without satisfied customers we can’t achieve our goals. 2. We are a high-integrity group of people. We value that. 3. We design products that solve real problems, and are proud of it. 4. We build products that help people hear now and hear later. 5. We are glad you are here. We welcome your energy, talent, sense of humor, decision-making ability, and insight into our strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. If you find someone who doesn’t welcome these things, point out this paragraph to them. 6. We trust your judgment. If no one is around to check your decision, please take your best shot. 7. We value risk-taking. We learn from our mistakes; when we realize we have made a mistake, we admit it and try to do better next time. 8. We don’t like a lot of rules and authority. We avoid them by insisting that each person take personal responsibility for getting the job done. 9. We are committed to keeping our promises. 10. We measure results, not actions. 11. We work hard and value the work ethic. 12. We try to have fun. It makes our jobs more enjoyable. 13. We commit to long-term relationships; with our customers; with our suppliers; and with each other. This commitment helps carry us past the inevitable frustrations with others (who are, naturally, likely to be less perfect than we are) to the mutual trust and confidence that comes from surviving the hard times together. 14. We realize that people come in packages, usually with a ding or two (sometimes several). We can’t keep the parts we like and discard the parts we don’t like. 15. We believe that once the goals are set, the enlightened supervisor is more servant than boss, providing the information, supplies, equipment and training required by the task to be performed. 16. We believe that the best return on shareholder investment will follow from concentrating on the successful introduction of important new products, and not from focusing on “making money.” That’s not why we do it, but it is pleasant that it usually works out that way. 17. We treat everyone, even competitors, as friends. FIRST PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT (JULY, 1983) Killion Launches Etymotic Research Inc. Mead Killion, PhD Edwin DeVilbiss, MBA Mead Killion, PhD (circa 1983) MISSION GOALS VALUES 30 YEARS OF RESEARCH & DEVELOPMENT 1983-2013 1983 - 2013 61 Martin Lane, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007 Research & Product Development for the Ear
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The early 1980s represented a new electronic age which saw the introduction of numerous technical devices to assist consumers in telephone communication and increase their access to and appreciation of music. Products such as personal portable radio/cassette players, FAX machines, cell phones and compact disc technologies were introduced. This time frame was also a period of advancement of in-ear technologies and greater public acceptance of hearing aids. On September 7, 1983, during a routine press conference, the news media observed that President Reagan was wearing a hearing aid in his right ear, which proved to be a priceless endorsement of hearing aids and helped boost sales to record levels. In fact, in 1983, U.S. hearing aid sales surpassed the one million mark for the first time in history.
This atmosphere of innovative technology set the stage for the establishment of a new company that would focus on the design of high-fidelity products that measure, improve and protect hearing. Armed with two and one-half degrees in mathematics, a PhD in audiology, and more than 20 years of experience in electronic component manufacturing, Mead Killion took the giant step forward to initiate his own commercial enterprise during the summer of 1983. On the introduction of a mutual friend, Mead was joined by Ed DeVilbiss, who brought a high level of sales and business acumen, both of which were invaluable to the success of the company.
When Mead and Ed established Etymotic Research, a friend remarked that starting and sustaining a business was like being on a roller coaster: Many highs and many lows, but you are strapped in and might as well enjoy the ride. Mead believes that the success of a company is never due to just one person. Etymotic is defined as much by its team players as by its founders. Mead is proud of the fact that while he participated in all developments, taught the art or mentored the individuals involved, many of Etymotic’s (nearly 100) patents do not have the name Killion on them. Most projects are a complex blend of art and science. Novel ideas are as likely to germinate at the lunch table as at the boardroom table. Mead is quick to give credit to others and he takes delight in their accomplishments. Mead and Ed always advocated celebrating the small things: Etymotic has toasted a new company sign, the first $1-million month, shipping the 1000th EROSCAN, and countless other events and successes. A summer BBQ on our lawn is as meaningful as a formal holiday party.
The success of Etymotic Research is nothing short of remarkable. Etymotic Research developed insert earphones for audiometry and auditory brainstem response testing; otoacoustic emissions screening and diagnostic devices; directional and array microphones; a real-ear probe microphone for research; K-AMP and Digi-K hearing aid circuitry; Companion Mics; Musicians Earplugs; non-custom high-fidelity passive and electronic earplugs; personal noise dosimeters; a sound level meter and a direct-to-consumer personal sound amplifier. Along the way, Etymotic created an entirely new consumer electronics category: Noise-isolating, high-fidelity in-ear earphones.
Never losing sight of its mission, Etymotic Research has expanded from audiology-based products to innovative devices for the high-growth consumer electronics and telephony markets. Etymotic has almost 70 employees and many consultants and colleagues who contribute to research and product development. Etymotic is rich in relationships with passionate people from all over the globe. This amazing group shares a common goal: To make the world a better place.
FOR IMMEDIATE RElEASE....Elk Grove Village, Il. Mead Killion, PhD, has announced the formation of Etymotic Research, Inc., a new company to do research and product development in the hearing instruments field. “We have been extremely fortunate,” says Killion, “that Knowles Electronics has granted us the development rights to three important new products on which I worked. We hope to bring out the first one early in 1984.”
Killion has spent 21 years in the hearing aid industry. He helped develop the first subminiature ceramic microphone, the subminiature electret microphone, and subminiature directional microphones. He is probably best known for developing earmold coupling systems to improve both the useful bandwidth and the sound quality of hearing aids. He has been granted eight U.S. patents, either as sole inventor or with co-inventors, and has two more pending.
Killion is an Adjunct Professor of Audiology at Northwestern University. He has written and lectured extensively on hearing aids and earmolds, with papers published in the field of electroacoustic, psycho- and physiological acoustics, and audiology.
The corporate name ETYMOTIC is pronounced et-im-oh-tik. It is a newly coined “ancient Greek” word, which here means “true to the ear.” The corporate name reflects Killion’s commitment to unflawed sound reproduction for the normal or impaired ear.
The Board of Directors of Etymotic Research includes Charles I. Berlin, PhD, Jack Clemis, MD, Barbara Kruger, PhD, E. Robert libby, Edgar Villchur, and laura Wilber, PhD
We develop products for the ear. We are a product development group.
• To be the leader in product development for the ear. • To earn sufficient profit to reach and maintain that leadership.
1. We put the customer first. Without satisfied customers we can’t achieve our goals.2. We are a high-integrity group of people. We value that.3. We design products that solve real problems, and are proud of it.4. We build products that help people hear now and hear later.5. We are glad you are here. We welcome your energy, talent, sense of humor, decision-making ability, and insight into our
strengths, weaknesses, and blind spots. If you find someone who doesn’t welcome these things, point out this paragraph to them.
6. We trust your judgment. If no one is around to check your decision, please take your best shot.7. We value risk-taking. We learn from our mistakes; when we realize we have made a mistake, we admit it and try to do
better next time.8. We don’t like a lot of rules and authority. We avoid them by insisting that each person take personal responsibility for
getting the job done.9. We are committed to keeping our promises. 10. We measure results, not actions.11. We work hard and value the work ethic.12. We try to have fun. It makes our jobs more enjoyable.13. We commit to long-term relationships; with our customers; with our suppliers; and with each other. This commitment helps
carry us past the inevitable frustrations with others (who are, naturally, likely to be less perfect than we are) to the mutual trust and confidence that comes from surviving the hard times together.
14. We realize that people come in packages, usually with a ding or two (sometimes several). We can’t keep the parts we like and discard the parts we don’t like.
15. We believe that once the goals are set, the enlightened supervisor is more servant than boss, providing the information, supplies, equipment and training required by the task to be performed.
16. We believe that the best return on shareholder investment will follow from concentrating on the successful introduction of important new products, and not from focusing on “making money.” That’s not why we do it, but it is pleasant that it usually works out that way.
17. We treat everyone, even competitors, as friends.
FIRST PRESS ANNOUNCEMENT (JUly, 1983)
Killion launches Etymotic Research Inc.
Mead Killion, PhD
Edwin DeVilbiss, MBA
Mead Killion, PhD (circa 1983)
MISSION
GOALS
VALUES
30 YEArS Of rESEArch & DEVELOpMENt 1983-2013
1983 - 201361 Martin Lane, Elk Grove Village, Illinois 60007
Research & Product Development for the Ear
1991ER-4 Noise-Isolating, High-Fidelity
Insert Earphones for in-ear monitoring
1998ERO•SCAN®
2005Companion Mics®
2006ety8™ Bluetooth®
Noise-Canceling Headset
2009EB15® Electronic BlastPlG®
Earplugs for military
2010ER-200D
Data-logging Dosimeter
2011ETy•Kids® Safe-listening Earphones
for children
2013Quiet Sound Amplifier® BEAN™
Personal Sound Amplifier
1988ER-15 Musicians Earplugs™
1984ER-1® and ER-2® Insert Earphones
for research
1985ER-3A® Insert Earphones for audiometry and ABR
1985ER-7C Instrumentation
for real ear measurement
2013HD5 Safety™
Earphones
2012ERO•SCAN Pro®
with acoustic reflex
2013ER-3C Insert Earphones
2013ERO•SCAN® Express
1990ER-20®
High-Fidelity Earplugs
1989K-AMP® Circuitry for hearing aids
Years of Innovation
EtymoticResearch®established
1983
ER-3A® InsertEarphones
ER-7 ProbeMicrophonefor real-earmeasurement
Mead Killionconsults with the Chicago SymphonyOrchestra
World’s first insertearphones foraudiometry/ABR
1985
ER-10 lo-Noise™Microphone
ER-8 (K-BASS™)Hearing Aid
SBIR grantfor K-AMP®development
1986
ER-11Half-inchMicrophone for KEMAR®
Gold ABRElectrode
ER-12-4“Cookie-Bite”Earhook
1987
ER-10B Babylo-Noise™Microphone
ER-15MusiciansEarplugs™
Knowles agreesEtymotic will finish Class D begun byKillion in 1963
World’s first flatattenuationearplugs
1988
K-AMP®Amplifier is heralded as break-throughtechnology
K-AMP®ER101 DieER-19D Hybrid
ISO-AMP™for ABR
1989
World’s firstnon-custom,high-fidelityearplugs
ER-20®High-FidelityEarplugs
ER-10BMicrophonefor OAE
ER-7DBinaural- RecordingMicrophone
ER-13RE-A-R Rings
Generic BTEEarmold Kit
1990
World’s firstnoise-isolating,high-fidelityin-ear monitors
ER-4B® and ER-4S® Canalphones
1991
ER-25MusiciansEarplugs™
ER-28D Buried- Capacitor- Substrate Hybrid
ER-10Alo-Noise™Microphone
Knowles Electronicsrepresents K-AMP® Circuits in Europe
1992
ER-10CClinical ProbeMicrophone
ER-21DK-AMP® Hybrid
SIN Test™ Speech-in-Noise Test
FDA approves510K forCUBDIS™
1993
ER-4P®MicroPro™Earphones
1994
ER-27D Edge-MetalizedHybrid
ER-10B+lo-Noise™Microphone
EWOK™Battery Circuit
FIG6™ forWindows®
1995
ER-41, 42, 47DSD Hybrids
ER-30™
InsertEarphonesfor MRI
1997
ERO•SCAN® OAEInstrument
D-MIC™DirectionalMicrophone
ER-109 lOBAT® Die
ER-29 K-AMP®Hybrid
1998
ER-9 MusiciansEarplugs™
Etymoticlaunches firstwebsiteetymotic.com
1999
Digi-K™Hearing AidCircuitry
ElectronicDampingCircuit
2002
ER-10A 3-Portlo-Noise™Microphone
2003
6i Earphonesin Apple stores
ER-6i Isolator™Earphones
ETy•COM®Mobile PhoneHeadset
MicrophoneSwitchingSystem
SBIR grant forCompanion Mics®development
2004
Companion Mics® in productionafter 14 years
E.D.G.E. Acousticslaunched
ER-7 SeriesNoise-IsolatingEarphones
BKB-SIN™Speech-in-Noise Test
low-costCompressorchip in fullproduction
2005 2006
ety8 – World’s first in-ear Bluetooth®stereo earphones
ety8™ Bluetooth®Stereo Earphones
ER-7 OEMAltec lansing
CompanionMics®
ER-20®BabyBlues®Earplugs forsmall ears
ER-200Personal Noise Dosimeter
2007
ER-7 OEMHarmanKardon
GX-400™GamingHeadset
2008
Mead Killion invited to lecture at U.S. Patent & Trademark Office
ERO•SCAN® Pro
hf2™earphones + headset
etyBlU™
Bluetooth®Headset
hf5™
5th-generationHigh-FidelityEarphones
QSA Quiet Sound Amplifier®
ERO•SCAN®
- Remote Probe- Database &
TEOAE Software
linkIT® ArrayMicrophone
ER-33Occlusion EffectMeter
sD-MIC™DirectionalMicrophone
cc-MIC™DirectionalMicrophone
low-CostAcoustic Damperfor ER-20®
2000
ER-102DigitalScrewdriver(DSD™)
ER-111Variable-CompressionCircuit Die
ER-4® Earphonessold in SharperImage Catalog
1996 2010
ER-200D Data-logging Dosimeter
mc3™ earphones + headset
hf3™ earphones + headset
SBIR grant - 2nd Generation Companion Mics®
Adopt-a-Band™ Program launched
STTR grant - Improved OAE Probe
2011
AWARENESS!® for Etymotic app
mc2™ earphones + headset
EK5 ETy•Kids® Safe-listening Earphones
GunSport•PRO® Electronic Earplugs
HD15® Electronic Earplugs
Online Needs Assessment Tool
Generation Hear™ DVD released
ERO•SCAN® Express OAE Instrumentation
ER-3C Insert Earphones
The BEAN™QSA Quiet SoundAmplifier
HD5 Safety Earphones™
Home Hearing Test®
20131984
ER-1®Tubephonesreferenced tosound field
ER-2®Tubephonesflat responseat humaneardrum
Response-modifyingBTE Earhooks
World’s first insert earphonesfor research
Sound Strategy Website soundstrategy.com
ISO 9001:2008 certificationISO 13485:2003 certification
ERO•SCAN Pro® with Acoustic Reflex
EK3 ETy•Kids® earphones + headset
Music•PRO® Electronic Earplugs
20122009
EB15® Electronic BlastPlG® Earplugs
etyBlU2™ Bluetooth Headset
mc5™ Earphones with ACCU•Chamber® Technology
Etymotic Research named one of the Top 25 Most Innovative Companies (Crain’s Chicago Business)
2012Ronald Reagan fitted with hearing aids
1983Etymotic investor’s comment, “No one will put anything in their ears.”
1984 1985 1992 2003 2005 2007 2011Congresswoman Tammy Duckworth visits Etymotic Research
20131986First digital hearing aid (body worn) introduced by Nicolet Instruments
1987 1988Class D receivers introduced
Digitally- programmable hearing aids available
1989Noise-isolating, high-fidelity, in-ear earphones in consumer market: 0
1990Noise-isolating, high-fidelity, in-ear earphones in consumer market: 1
CIC hearing aids introduced
1991NIH recommendsuniversal newbornhearing screening
1993 1994 19952% of newborns in U.S. screened for hearing
1997 1998 1999 2001 20028 million iPods® sold
200496% of all newborns in U.S. screened for hearing
Digital hearing aids exceed 90% of U.S. sales
2006iPod® sales> $194 mil to dateiPhone sales> $17 mil to date
Global market for Bluetooth®headsets: 84 million est.
200850% of U.S. sales are programmable hearing aids
Consolidation in hearing aid industry
2000Digital hearing aids enter marketplace
1996 2010Apple launches iPad®
FDA issues Guidance Document describing a new category of device called PSAP (personal sound amplifier product)
Apple releases the iPhone® 3GS
Over 220 million iPods® sold
2009
2001
ER-6 Isolator™Earphonesemulates ER-4S®
1000th ERO•SCAN®shipped
ER-5A® InsertEarphones
ER-6Isolator™Earphones
QuickSIN™Speech-in-Noise Test
Special K-AMP® Circuit for Songbird®Disposable Hearing Aid
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