Martin Hairer , Chief Digital Officer of medical technology ( medtech ) firm MED-EL , on the company ’ s use of technology to improve customer outcomes

M edtech company MED-EL is a leader in the field of implantable hearing systems , as the company ’ s Chief Digital Officer Martin Hairer explains : “ Our core competency is to develop hearing implant solutions . That ’ s where our expertise is – developing implants , surgical tools , stimulating nerves and adapting sound in a way that the brain can interpret it as close to the experience of natural hearing as possible .” Of course , underlying and enabling that central competency is a raft of different business functions , but Hairer is clear that the business as a whole is inspired by this mission . “ We are very research driven – that ’ s how the whole company works . We are pioneers . We are challenged by nature , by the human body , and what we all have in common here is the question : ‘ What can we do as a company that leads to better outcomes for our customers ?’. This is always the number one priority . It ’ s not profit . Of course , we need to make money , but it ’ s much more important the customer has the best outcome , which itself leads to increased profits .”