The British Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA) has released results from the latest EuroTrak UK 2025 survey, providing a timely snapshot of hearing health across the United Kingdom.
This year’s findings highlight encouraging trends in satisfaction and quality of life among hearing instrument users. However, they also reveal an ongoing gap in public awareness and only a slight change in the overall adoption rate of hearing technology.
Adoption Rates Slightly Decline Despite Clear Benefits
Despite strong evidence supporting the benefits of hearing instruments, the adoption rate among individuals with self-reported hearing loss has dipped slightly to 50.5%, down from 52.8% in 2022. While still high by international standards—the UK ranks third among 10 countries, just behind Denmark and France—this small decline suggests that misperceptions and lack of information may continue to prevent people from seeking treatment.
“It’s concerning to see the adoption rate decline slightly, particularly when satisfaction and quality of life outcomes are at an all-time high,” said Paul Surridge, Chairman of BIHIMA. “We know that hearing instruments have an enormous impact on quality of life and that the technology behind them is better than ever. Clearly, there is still work to be done on raising awareness and breaking down remaining barriers.”
Usage and Satisfaction Reach New Highs
The survey revealed several positive trends among hearing instrument users:
- Average daily wear time has increased over 10%, rising to 9 hours per day from 8.1 in 2022.
- User satisfaction has climbed to 82%, up from 75%.
- Quality of life impact is widely reported, with 96% of users saying their hearing instruments improve their quality of life at least some of the time.
Notably, satisfaction has improved across nearly all listening situations—including challenging environments such as noisy rooms and group conversations.
“Today’s hearing instruments are impressive in their capabilities; they integrate AI, real-time sound processing, and app-based controls that offer a completely personalised experience for device users,” said Surridge.
“We believe that these exciting advancements in technology are playing a key role in the improvements in user satisfaction. Hearing instruments are no longer just amplifiers; they’re intelligent health devices.”
Apps and Digital Tools Gaining Traction
The data also shows a significant rise in the use of companion apps, with 31% of hearing aid owners now using an associated app—up from 22% in 2022. Among those users, satisfaction with the app experience rose to 76%, compared to 65% previously.
“It’s fantastic to see app adoption on the rise, but there’s still a long way to go: nearly 70% of hearing instrument users aren’t yet making use of these tools,” added Surridge.
“But it also highlights the growing need for audiologists to be fluent in these evolving tools, which is consistent with what hearing care professionals tell us. They must be fully aware of the available features and actively passing that knowledge on to patients. Ensuring clinicians stay up to date is essential if we want to bridge this gap and unlock the full potential of hearing technology.”
NHS Continues to Play a Central Role
According to the survey, the NHS remains a cornerstone of hearing care in the UK, supplying 69% of hearing instruments free of charge—underscoring its critical role despite ongoing pressures. The private market is also showing growth, with the proportion of users obtaining devices from hearing instrument stores rising from 16% in 2022 to 21% in 2025.
The data also suggests that stigma around hearing aid use is slowly improving. In 2025, 70% of users said they never feel mocked or rejected because of their devices, up from 64% in 2022. However, barriers such as denial of hearing loss, perceived discomfort, and low perceived severity remain common reasons for non-adoption.
“The 2025 EuroTrak data tells a powerful story: hearing technology is changing lives, but we still face a major public health challenge in encouraging people to seek help earlier. As an industry, we must better communicate the transformative impact of hearing technology, whether through the NHS or private care, and continue to challenge outdated assumptions.”
–Paul Surridge, Chairman of BIHIMA
