WS Audiology to set up audiological research laboratory in Singapore
The new ORCA Asia lab will be located in WSA’s regional headquarters in Tai Seng
WS Audiology (WSA), the parent company behind Widex and Signia hearing technology, has announced it is opening an audiological research laboratory in Singapore. The Office of Research in Clinical Amplification (ORCA) Asia will carry out clinical research to assess and improve the performance of hearing aids and the overall quality of hearing care.
It was only this May that WSA made a commitment to local technology and talent in India, by opening a new Research and Development hub in Hyderabad. ORCA Asia will be WSA’s third audiological research laboratory. Previously, ORCA US was established in Chicago, USA in 2001. In 2007, ORCA Europe was subsequently established in Stockholm, Sweden.
Joerg Brandscheid, Chief Technology Officer at WSA said: “ORCA Asia will be the first auditory research centre in Asia. We will be tackling important regional issues such as improving hearing aid technology for Asian languages. We recognize the varying linguistic and demographic profiles across the region, and ORCA Asia will allow us to uncover information crucial for improving the experience of those impacted by hearing loss.
Hearing tech breakthroughs and local jobs for Singapore
This specialised auditory research centre will boost WSA’s R&D capabilities, “fostering critical expertise in this niche field to better serve the Asian population”, says the group. “ORCA Asia will create high-skilled jobs including roles such as research scientists, audiologists, acoustic engineers, and systems engineers that will push the boundaries in hearing aid technology.”
The move has been welcomed in Singapore, confirms Goh Wan Yee, Senior Vice President and Head for Healthcare at the Singapore Economic Development Board (EDB): “We welcome WSA’s decision to set up ORCA Asia, which builds upon its long-standing presence in Singapore as a hub for R&D, operations, manufacturing, and commercial activities. This investment affirms Singapore’s position as a trusted location with multidisciplinary talent for global MedTech companies to innovate and serve the growing healthcare needs in Asia, and will bring new capabilities and job opportunities to Singapore.”
