She is a hearing aid specialist. He is a civil engineer. Together, they founded DECILO to meet a very concrete need that had long been largely unmet in the Belgian market. They offer customized hearing protection that is both effective and comfortable, and depending on personal taste and circumstances, either discreet or fun and colorful.
“The core business of hearing aid specialists remains hearing aids designed to improve hearing, even though hearing protection also falls within their area of expertise,” says Isabelle Koljaj, co-founder with Quentin Jonckheere of DECILO, a Brussels-based company that has been protecting your ears in style since 2019.
Filling a gap
The duo noticed that when it comes to noise prevention, hearing protection remains a secondary concern for specialists. The few options available on the market were poorly promoted, forcing the general public to settle for earplugs sold in pharmacies or even supermarkets. As for companies active in noisy sectors, they usually opted for headsets that were not always compatible with other safety equipment. The two partners saw a promising niche. “By specializing solely in hearing protection, we could add real value to our product in terms of shape, level of protection, and range of models offered,” explains Isabelle Koljaj. That was in 2019, when DECILO was born — led by a perfectly complementary duo: audiology and healthcare expertise from Isabelle Koljaj, and engineering, R&D, and organizational precision from Quentin Jonckheere.
Home made
From the outset, the two young Brussels entrepreneurs welcomed clients to their workshop-store, took the necessary ear impressions, and manufactured in-house their biomedical silicone earplugs, certified as personal protective equipment (CE). “Doing everything ourselves allowed us to design a product from A to Z for each person, including the look,” insists Isabelle Koljaj. “That way, everyone can truly make it their own, personalize it, and use it for a long time — up to 5 years for models designed to protect from industrial noise and loud sound systems, and a bit less for those used for sleep protection.”
The success quickly followed — both with individuals and industrial clients. “The evolution of the law, classifying noise-related occupational risks in the same high-risk category as head injuries, has encouraged companies to take a closer look at custom protection and, therefore, our products, which combine discretion, comfort, and high performance,” says Isabelle Koljaj. She adds that individuals can now visit one of the hundred partner hearing centers across the Benelux for ear impressions and follow-ups — all protections are still made in Brussels. Since its creation, DECILO will soon reach 15,000 pairs manufactured, and the team of four is currently looking for two more members to expand.
Early support
Such a success story is, of course, no coincidence — it results from a combination of a great idea, hard work, and a supportive environment. In Brussels, innovative projects can rely on the effective assistance of hub.brussels and the lifetech cluster. “hub.brussels helped us a lot from the very start of DECILO,” explains Isabelle Koljaj. “Very quickly, we received support from the City of Brussels for rent payments and investment grants to finance our expensive equipment. We also benefited from consulting aid. All this support was crucial.” She emphasizes: “It is very important that Brussels invests time in structures like hub.brussels and provides financial resources to help young companies. For us, it has been a springboard — a vital help for DECILO’s current and future growth.”
In this system, the lifetech cluster plays a central role: “They’ve supported us from the beginning,” adds Quentin Jonckheere. “At first, we received valuable advice about the paramedical and medical ecosystem in Brussels, which we didn’t know well. Later, we were guided through the certification of our products. Thanks to the cluster’s network, meetings, and events, we met other companies in the sector and even received HR coaching.”
From Brussels to international markets
It’s fair to say that the energy and funding invested by Brussels institutions have paid off! In addition to their customized hearing protections, DECILO’s founders have innovated with a product highly valued by professional musicians: In-Ear Monitors, small earpieces allowing direct sound feedback. “We are the second company in the world to offer them in silicone — an alternative solution that meets consumer demand,” proudly states Isabelle Koljaj. “It took us three years of R&D, and musicians who tested them were amazed by their comfort. Requests and collaborations are already growing.”
This success paves the way for a broader network and DECILO’s presence across Europe. Always from Brussels, as Isabelle confirms: “We are both from Brussels, we founded DECILO here, and our offices are here. It’s very important for us to maintain this identity because Brussels holds a central position among the regions. We are deeply attached to working here, with a Brussels-based team. Brussels is clearly a nurturing environment. Many health entrepreneurs are based here, and the lifetech cluster is undoubtedly a key part of that ecosystem.”
