Hearing Aid Company Makichie Partners with Advanced Bionics to Begin Distributing Cochlear Implants
Makichie Inc. has signed a distribution agreement with Advanced Bionics, a developer and manufacturer of cochlear implants. Effective April 1, 2026, Makichie will become the exclusive distributor in Japan, enabling it to support severe to profound hearing loss that could not be fully addressed by hearing aids.
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- 📰 Published: April 3, 2026 at 19:27
- 🤖 AI Analyzed: June 2, 2026 at 13:00 (1433h 33m after Published)
Makichie Inc. (Headquarters: Nihonbashi, Tokyo / President & CEO: Tomoyoshi Hiramatsu) has signed a sales agreement with Advanced Bionics (Headquarters: Valencia, California, USA / President: Alistair Simpson) and will become the exclusive distributor of their cochlear implants in Japan starting April 1, 2026.
By beginning to handle cochlear implants, it has become possible to provide more seamless support for conditions such as severe to profound hearing loss, which could not be fully addressed by hearing aids.
Until now, as a comprehensive hearing aid company, Makichie has supported the improvement of patients' hearing under the guidance of otolaryngologists through the development, manufacturing, and sale of hearing aids.
However, the current situation is that individuals with severe to profound hearing loss may not be adequately served by hearing aids alone.
With the start of handling cochlear implants, it is now possible to provide more seamless support to the aforementioned patients. This allows Makichie to handle hearing aids, tinnitus treatment devices, hearing test equipment, and cochlear implants, expecting to realize comprehensive patient support not only in the field of hearing aids but in the broader field of "hearing."
As a company that supports patients' hearing under the guidance of otolaryngologists, Makichie will confront hearing loss more than ever and respond to the various hearing needs of patients.
### What is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a medical device that supplements hearing by surgically implanting an electrode into the body (in the cochlea of the inner ear), converting sound into electrical signals, and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. For individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who cannot be covered by hearing aids, there is a possibility of improved hearing comprehension through surgery and rehabilitation.
### Supporting Cases of Combined Use of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants
Among those diagnosed as suitable for a cochlear implant, there are cases where a hearing aid is worn in the other ear. By handling both hearing aids and cochlear implants, Makichie has established a system to provide consistent support to such patients.
### Advanced Bionics Company Profile
Company Name: Advanced Bionics
Japan Corporation: Advanced Bionics Japan K.K.
Main Business: Development, manufacturing, and sales of cochlear implants
Established: 1993
Headquarters: Valencia, California, USA
President: Alistair Simpson
HP: https://www.advancedbionics.com/jp/ja/home
Advanced Bionics is a global company that has been developing cochlear implants for over 30 years. It has provided cochlear implants to over 150,000 ears worldwide. Since 2009, as a member of the Sonova Group, which owns the hearing aid brand Phonak, it supports people with hearing loss and medical professionals in over 50 countries by providing advanced hearing solutions.
### Makichie Inc. Company Profile
President & CEO: Tomoyoshi Hiramatsu
Founded: 1945
Capital: 30 million yen
Sales: 5.32 billion yen (2025 results)
Number of Employees: 332 (as of March 2026)
Headquarters: 3-2-3 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business: Design, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail sales of hearing aids
Makichie Inc. is a comprehensive hearing company that handles everything from the development, manufacturing, and sales to the repair of hearing aids.
Based on the belief that "hearing aids, as medical devices, should be handled within medical institutions under the guidance of a physician," the company's Hearing Aid Coordinators (*1) visit medical institutions nationwide to provide each patient with a hearing aid that suits them.
*1 At Makichie, employees involved in the sale of hearing aids are called Hearing Aid Coordinators, with the meaning of "accompanying the patient's hearing aid life" rather than just selling. Hearing Aid Coordinators are certified hearing aid technicians or are enrolled in the certified hearing aid technician training course.
By beginning to handle cochlear implants, it has become possible to provide more seamless support for conditions such as severe to profound hearing loss, which could not be fully addressed by hearing aids.
Until now, as a comprehensive hearing aid company, Makichie has supported the improvement of patients' hearing under the guidance of otolaryngologists through the development, manufacturing, and sale of hearing aids.
However, the current situation is that individuals with severe to profound hearing loss may not be adequately served by hearing aids alone.
With the start of handling cochlear implants, it is now possible to provide more seamless support to the aforementioned patients. This allows Makichie to handle hearing aids, tinnitus treatment devices, hearing test equipment, and cochlear implants, expecting to realize comprehensive patient support not only in the field of hearing aids but in the broader field of "hearing."
As a company that supports patients' hearing under the guidance of otolaryngologists, Makichie will confront hearing loss more than ever and respond to the various hearing needs of patients.
### What is a Cochlear Implant?
A cochlear implant is a medical device that supplements hearing by surgically implanting an electrode into the body (in the cochlea of the inner ear), converting sound into electrical signals, and directly stimulating the auditory nerve. For individuals with severe to profound hearing loss who cannot be covered by hearing aids, there is a possibility of improved hearing comprehension through surgery and rehabilitation.
### Supporting Cases of Combined Use of Hearing Aids and Cochlear Implants
Among those diagnosed as suitable for a cochlear implant, there are cases where a hearing aid is worn in the other ear. By handling both hearing aids and cochlear implants, Makichie has established a system to provide consistent support to such patients.
### Advanced Bionics Company Profile
Company Name: Advanced Bionics
Japan Corporation: Advanced Bionics Japan K.K.
Main Business: Development, manufacturing, and sales of cochlear implants
Established: 1993
Headquarters: Valencia, California, USA
President: Alistair Simpson
HP: https://www.advancedbionics.com/jp/ja/home
Advanced Bionics is a global company that has been developing cochlear implants for over 30 years. It has provided cochlear implants to over 150,000 ears worldwide. Since 2009, as a member of the Sonova Group, which owns the hearing aid brand Phonak, it supports people with hearing loss and medical professionals in over 50 countries by providing advanced hearing solutions.
### Makichie Inc. Company Profile
President & CEO: Tomoyoshi Hiramatsu
Founded: 1945
Capital: 30 million yen
Sales: 5.32 billion yen (2025 results)
Number of Employees: 332 (as of March 2026)
Headquarters: 3-2-3 Nihonbashi, Chuo-ku, Tokyo
Business: Design, manufacturing, wholesale, and retail sales of hearing aids
Makichie Inc. is a comprehensive hearing company that handles everything from the development, manufacturing, and sales to the repair of hearing aids.
Based on the belief that "hearing aids, as medical devices, should be handled within medical institutions under the guidance of a physician," the company's Hearing Aid Coordinators (*1) visit medical institutions nationwide to provide each patient with a hearing aid that suits them.
*1 At Makichie, employees involved in the sale of hearing aids are called Hearing Aid Coordinators, with the meaning of "accompanying the patient's hearing aid life" rather than just selling. Hearing Aid Coordinators are certified hearing aid technicians or are enrolled in the certified hearing aid technician training course.
FAQ
What kind of company is Makichie's new partner?
Advanced Bionics is a US-based global company that has been developing cochlear implants for over 30 years. It is part of the Sonova Group, which owns the Phonak hearing aid brand.
What is a cochlear implant?
It is a medical device that electrically stimulates the auditory nerve via surgically implanted electrodes to provide a sense of sound. It can potentially improve hearing for people with severe hearing loss who do not benefit from hearing aids.
What changes with this partnership?
Makichie can now offer the cochlear implant option to people with severe to profound hearing loss who were difficult to support with hearing aids alone, enabling more consistent support.