„alx.“ – German Design Award 2026 Winner
“alx.” – augmented listening experience | www.alx-live.comactric GmbH is proud to have received the German Design Award 2026 for its latest project, which was developed in cooperation with Staehlin GmbH.
With alx. – “augmented listening experience”, actric GmbH has been recognized for creating a product that uniquely combines modern design with innovative hearing technology.
Outstanding Design Meets Meaningful Innovation
With alx., actric GmbH has created an entirely new kind of hearing experience – a system that merges technology, emotion, and aesthetics. This award affirms the company’s mission: to make hearing an experience and to give technology an emotional dimension through design.
The alx. system enables real-time comparison of different hearing aids across various technology levels and price ranges:
“Customers can immediately experience the differences, while hearing care professionals can provide clear and comprehensible guidance.”
This approach fosters transparency — shifting the focus from technical jargon to tangible, perceivable differences.
Background of the Development
The creation of alx. was the result of close collaboration with hearing care professionals, driven by the mission to develop a hands-on comparison tool that makes technical differences instantly audible — regardless of brand or price category.
In addition, alx. combines modern, high-quality design with intuitive usability and seamless integration into retail environments. It is not just a tool — it is an experience.
Significance of the Award
The German Design Award is regarded as a benchmark for outstanding product design and innovation. That this project by actric GmbH and its partner, Staehlin GmbH, has been honored with this award highlights their leading role in both hearing technology and design excellence.
This winning project marks the company’s second consecutive recognition, underscoring its ongoing commitment to innovation and excellence.
Statement from the Management
“We are proud to have created with alx. not just a product, but a holistic experience that redefines hearing. Receiving the German Design Award 2026 confirms that our approach — connecting technology, aesthetics, and experience — is the right one,”
say Dominic Zengerle & Christoph Riederer, Managing Directors of actric GmbH.
Future
With the German Design Award 2026 for alx., actric GmbH enters a new phase — expanding distribution, scaling operations, and evolving the product line. The company’s goal is to enrich the consultation experience in hearing care not only technologically but also emotionally. The guiding principle remains: “Experience hearing in a new way.”
Currently, the alx. system can even be visualized in any hearing care practice through Augmented Reality (AR).
Website: www.alx-live.com
In January 2026, actric GmbH will be exhibiting at the “opti” trade fair in Munich.
About actric
actric GmbH, based in Kempten (Allgäu), is a creative audiology company with a clear mission: to redefine the hearing care industry through innovative technology, sustainable concepts, and a distinctive brand experience.
By combining engineering expertise, design, and practical consulting, actric develops solutions that provide the hearing care industry with powerful tools to elevate the quality of hearing to a whole new level.
In May 2025, the company opened its state-of-the-art 3D earmold laboratory – a key milestone on the path toward greater individuality and precision in hearing care. Now, the next project is already on the horizon, reinforcing actric’s consistent commitment to innovation.
With its brand product alx., actric has created a platform that sets new standards for hearing experiences. “myEarmold”was just the beginning – more bold ideas and developments are set to follow, true to the guiding principle:
“It’s time for some action.”
