Phonak ambassador Emma Meesseman is on her way to the Olympics

However, the road has not been easy. Born with moderate hearing loss in both ears, Emma has worn hearing aids since she was a child. One may find it difficult to imagine a classic sports career under these conditions. Nevertheless, it is the will of this champion and the support of her family (her mother Sonja Tankrey, a former international basketball player) that will allow her to realize her dream and achieve all of her goals one by one.

Equipped with Phonak Audéo hearing aids, recharged for the day, she approaches games with serenity knowing that she will be able to hear her teammates on the court. Paradoxically, she even managed to use her hearing loss to her advantage. Indeed, she has become accustomed to observing her surroundings better and this visual attention gives her an advantage over other players. On the bench, her coaches adjusted practices to help her by doubling each game strategy with a sign to communicate optimally. A great help for her, but also for the entire team who cannot always hear the instructions well because of the ambient noise.

Phonak's encounter with the champion wasn’t the most typical either, as Emma initiated it. She wanted children and young adults with hearing loss to be a positive role model and to be able to communicate and talk about her disability by encouraging others to live their lives to the fullest.

Emma's approach, and this willingness to share, correspond to the values ​​that Phonak promotes through its ambassadors. By becoming the brand's first ambassador in Belgium, Emma Meesseman can carry her message: “Do what you love to do. You don't have to stop because of your hearing challenge. I know many children and adults who are ashamed of it. They don't want to show it and don't dare to exercise or do anything else because they are afraid of reactions. I always think it's a shame when people give up on their dream because it is perfectly possible to achieve things in your life as a person with hearing loss."

About Emma

• In 2020, the Belgian Cats qualify for the Olympic Games for the first time. Emma is named MVP of the Olympic qualifying tournament in Ostend
• She was elected Belgian sportswoman of the year in 2020. The Belgian Cats and coach Philip Mestdagh also won awards with the trophy for Team of the Year and Coach of the Year

Media Relations Contact:

Global

Florence Camenzind

Phone: +41 58 928 33 25

Email: florence.camenzind@sonova.com

Belgium

Kaat de Groef

Phone: +32 2 300 2804

Email: Kaat.deGroef@phonak.com

About Phonak 

Headquartered near Zurich, Switzerland, Phonak, a member of the Sonova Group, was created in 1947 out of a passion for taking on the most difficult hearing challenges. Seventy years later, this passion remains. As the industry’s leading innovator, we offer the broadest portfolio of life-changing hearing solutions. From pediatric to profound hearing loss, we remain committed to creating hearing solutions that change people’s lives to thrive socially and emotionally. We believe in creating a world where ‘Life is on’ for everyone.