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Get ReportHow Phonak Scaled Mobile Accessibility for a Global Market
Staying ahead of global mobile app accessibility regulations and VPAT requirements
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Phonak, a global leader in hearing solutions based in Switzerland, faced increasing pressure to validate the accessibility of its mobile apps after receiving multiple Voluntary Product Accessibility Template (VPAT) requests from U.S. and international entities. With mobile apps serving as critical touchpoints for users managing their hearing devices, the Phonak team quickly prioritized mobile app accessibility.
By partnering with AudioEye for in-depth mobile app accessibility audits, which directly informed VPAT documentation, Phonak met urgent regulatory deadlines like the European Accessibility Act (EAA), gained clarity on compliance expectations across regions, and established a trusted partner for navigating an increasingly complex global regulatory landscape.
Summary of key benefits
Global Accessibility of iOS and Android Apps
AudioEye’s mobile app audits identified concrete accessibility gaps across iOS and Android and guided Phonak in making targeted fixes that improved real user interactions, resulting in more accessible mobile apps aligned with global standards.
Rapid Execution Under Tight Timelines
With VPAT requests arriving on short notice, Phonak needed a partner that could move quickly. AudioEye began with comprehensive mobile app accessibility audits to generate the evidence required for accurate VPAT documentation, delivering everything within a tight timeframe.
Expert Guidance in an Evolving Regulatory Landscape
AudioEye acted as a trusted accessibility partner, helping Phonak interpret mobile-specific accessibility standards, understand VPAT expectations, and navigate evolving global regulations with confidence, without requiring in-house accessibility specialists.
Phonak(opens in a new tab) is a global leader in hearing solutions, developing innovative hearing aids and digital tools designed to improve quality of life for people with hearing loss. As part of the Sonova Group, Phonak serves customers worldwide, with major markets in the United States and Europe.
The company offers several mobile applications, including MyPhonak, MyPhonak Junior, and MyRoger Mic, which act as primary touchpoints for users managing and interacting with their hearing devices, playing a critical role in the overall hearing experience.
In early 2025, Phonak received multiple accessibility-related notifications requesting VPAT documentation from the state of Colorado, UCLA, and European entities. While the company had internal accessibility design guidelines in place, the team had not previously implemented a formal validation or reporting process, particularly for its mobile applications.
Because Phonak’s mobile apps play a critical role in how users interact with its hearing solutions, the team needed a clear, evidence-based understanding of how those apps performed against accessibility standards across both iOS and Android.
Mobile apps have distinct accessibility needs due to their touch-based interfaces, which necessitate specialized auditing expertise.
"We were really lost, to be honest, we didn’t even know what a VPAT was at that point."
– Fabio Barroso, Product Manager, Phonak
At the same time, the European Accessibility Act was approaching its June 2025 effective date, increasing urgency around compliance, particularly for a company operating across multiple regions with varying accessibility requirements.
Without dedicated in-house accessibility subject matter experts or a reliable way to validate real mobile user interactions at scale, Phonak needed immediate guidance, documentation support, and confidence that it could meet regulatory expectations on a global scale.
“When we first got these notifications, no one really knew what to do with the whole accessibility topic. We needed help fast, and we needed someone who already had experience with these requirements.”
– Fabio Barroso, Product Manager, Phonak
Phonak evaluated several accessibility providers but ultimately selected AudioEye for its ability to quickly assess the accessibility of its mobile applications and translate those findings into defensible documentation under a tight regulatory timeline.
“We were contacted in February, reached out to AudioEye in March, and set a deadline for mid-June,” Fabio explained. “Other providers simply couldn’t commit to that timeline.”
Phonak partnered with AudioEye for comprehensive mobile app accessibility audits, covering both iOS and Android platforms. These audits evaluated real app flows and user interactions, and the resulting findings were then used to produce VPAT documentation for each app. This gave the team confidence in both their compliance posture and their ability to respond to future requests.
AudioEye’s approach stood out in three key ways:
Fast, Reliable Delivery: Comprehensive audits and VPATs delivered on time, despite a compressed schedule.
Clear, Actionable Reporting: AudioEye identified accessibility issues within Phonak’s mobile apps and delivered clear, app-level findings that teams could easily interpret and apply.
Expert Guidance: A knowledgeable partner to help navigate unfamiliar accessibility standards and mobile-specific requirements.
“Considering how tight the schedule was, it was impressive that everything was delivered on time. We were really happy with the end product and the overall quality.
– Fabio Barroso, Product Manager, Phonak
With AudioEye’s mobile app audits and VPAT documentation complete, Phonak moved from uncertainty to confidence, gaining a defensible, organization-wide understanding of mobile accessibility performance that could be relied on across teams and regions.
The detailed reports helped validate existing internal accessibility guidelines, identify remaining gaps, and refine development practices moving forward. Within a short timeframe, the team began implementing mobile accessibility improvements directly informed by AudioEye’s findings.
While Phonak has not yet received additional VPAT requests, the company expects more as accessibility regulations continue to expand globally.
“As more countries and regions introduce accessibility requirements, we expect additional documentation requests to come. Having a partner we trust means we’re ready to respond when they do, which gives us a lot of confidence moving forward.”
– Fabio Barroso, Product Manager, Phonak
Building A Foundation for Global Mobile Accessibility
What began as a moment of uncertainty became a catalyst for lasting change. By partnering with AudioEye, Phonak transformed mobile accessibility from a reactive obligation into a scalable capability—one that supports innovation, strengthens user trust, and keeps the organization ready as accessibility expectations continue to evolve worldwide. With a repeatable process and a trusted partner in place, Phonak is positioned not just to respond to future requirements, but to lead with accessible mobile experiences in every market it serves.
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