Dating back to the 1950's, Natus has always been an innovative player in the hearing and balance diagnostics industry delivering many industry-firsts
Company milestones
Natus' history dates back to the 1950s. Since then, we have been an innovative player in the hearing and balance diagnostics industry delivering many industry-firsts:
- First electroacoustic “impedance bridge”
- First commercially available EP instrument
- First air caloric irrigator
- First computer-compatible audiometer
- First REM system
- First computer-based system for electronystagmography (ENG)
- First integrated fitting system with audiometry, REM and HIT
- First cross-over clinical audiometer
Y
| Year | Key milestones |
|---|---|
| 1950's |
The Danish parliament rules that hearing examinations and hearing aids are free-of-charge. Electronics engineer Poul Madsen leaves Bang & Olufsen to design and produce audiometers in Odense, Denmark. |
| 1960's |
Poul Madsen establishes Madsen Electronics. The world’s first impedance bridge becomes a reality – a forerunner to today's middle-ear analyzers. |
| 1970's |
In Germany, G. Hortmann builds groundbreaking vestibular unit to record eye movements. Danplex (formerly Kamplex/Amplex) founded; produces portable audiometers. |
| 1980's |
Electronics and microprocessors usher in a paradigm shift in audiology. Boem and Simonson acquire ENG technology and found ICS Medical. Madsen Electronics applies microprocessor-based technology to clinical audiometers. |
| 1990's |
GND ReSound Corp. merge to form GN ReSound, the world's largest manufacturer of audiological equipment. Madsen transfers first audiogram from audiometer to PC. |
| 2001 | Madsen and Danplex integrate within the GN Group. Acquisition of Hortmann in Germany and ICS Medical in the USA. GN Otometrics founded on January 1, 2001. |
| 2017 | Natus Medical Incorporated acquires Otometrics from GN Group. |
| 2019 | Otometrics changes its name to Natus Medical Incorporated. |