Sonova Appoints Lukas Braunschweiler as New CEO

Regulatory News:

The Board of Directors of Sonova Holding AG today appointed Lukas Braunschweiler as new CEO of the company. The 55 year old Swiss citizen is currently the CEO of the Swiss technology group Ruag, his most recent position in a long career that has spanned Switzerland and the United States in the high-tech industry. He will be taking his position as CEO of Sonova on November 1, 2011.

"With Lukas Braunschweiler we have gained an experienced executive who has an impressive track record in the successful development of listed companies. Additionally, he has international experience and a profound knowledge of the high-tech industry”, says Robert Spoerry, Chairman of Sonova’s Board of Directors. "Moreover, his affinity for technology, along with his focused and structured – yet team-oriented – leadership style, fits well with Sonova’s culture.”

Before starting with Ruag in 2009, Braunschweiler worked for seven years as CEO at Dionex Corporation in California, a company listed on the New York-based stock exchange, Nasdaq. He was instrumental in the successful expansion and development of the life science company, which under his leadership recorded a strong growth in turnover as well as in earnings. Prior to this, Braunschweiler held various management positions at the precision instruments manufacturer Mettler Toledo, for which he was active in both Switzerland and the United States. His assignments also brought him into close contact with Asian markets.

A scientist by education, Braunschweiler holds a Master of Science and a doctorate in physical chemistry from the Swiss Federal Institute of Technology Zurich (ETHZ). "Sonova is in many ways an exceptional Swiss high-tech company in an extremely exciting growth market,” says Braunschweiler. "I’m looking forward to contributing, together with the Sonova team, to the continuation of this success story.”

Alexander Zschokke will continue as interim CEO of the company until Braunschweiler assumes his position. Zschokke is responsible for Sonova’s retail operations, and has been interim CEO since the departure of the former CEO, Valentin Chapero, on March 31, 2011.

"Getting such an experienced and successful executive as Lukas Braunschweiler on board is good for our company,” says Zschokke. "I’m happy that on the first of November I can handover a strategically well-positioned and healthy company with a strong team. I look forward to supporting Lukas Braunschweiler when he joins our company.”

"Out of a sense of loyalty and responsibility, Alexander Zschokke jumped in, when our company was in a difficult situation, and in just a short period of time he brought calm and security back into our organization and made sure that we stayed on course,” says Robert Spoerry, Sonova’s Chairman. "For that we owe him a great debt of gratitude.”

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Disclaimer

This Media Release may contain forward-looking statements which offer no guarantee with regard to future performance. These statements are made on the basis of management’s views and assumptions regarding future events and business performance at the time the statements are made. They are subject to risks and uncertainties including, but not confined to, future global economic conditions, exchange rates, legal provisions, market conditions, activities by competitors and other factors outside the company’s control.

About Sonova

Sonova is the leading provider of innovative hearing healthcare solutions. The globally active group is the world‘s top manufacturer of hearing systems, the market leader in wireless communication systems for audiology applications, develops and manufactures advanced cochlear implant systems and provides professional solutions for hearing protection. Sonova is pursuing a clear growth strategy and is intent to grow faster than the market. To this end it is constantly expanding its existing business segments and branching out into other areas of the hearing healthcare industry. Present in over 90 countries, and with a workforce of over 7,800 employees, Sonova generated sales of CHF 1.6 billion in the financial year 2010/11 and a net profit of CHF 231 million. This financially strong group of companies bases its success on innovation, customer focus and proactive cost management. The company has been successfully promoting understanding and communication for over 60 years, and is ideally positioned to benefit from the trends in this growth industry.

For more information please visit www.sonova.com.

Sonova shares (ticker symbol:SOON) have been listed on the SIX Swiss Exchange since 1994. The securities of Sonova have not been and will not be registered under the U.S. Securities Act and may not be offered or sold in the United States of America except pursuant to an exemption from the registration requirements under the U.S. Securities Act, or outside the United States of America in reliance on Regulation S under the U.S. Securities Act.