Hearing instrument sales finish on a high for 2024 - British Academy of Audiology |British Academy of Audiology

BIHIMA has released Q4 data on hearing technology market figures for 2024 revealing overall growth across the entire year.

Overall hearing instrument sales increased by 4% for 2024 (2,245,540) compared to 2023 (2,155,033).
Both private and public hearing instruments had a consistent boost in uptake through the year.
Q4 hearing instrument data increased in private sales against Q3, but with a decrease in sales for public and the Republic of Ireland.
A new insight to the annual figures includes units sold to NHS services and those distributed to independent retailers carrying out NHS contracts, such as AQP.

BIHIMA – the British Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association – has released the latest Q4 2024 data on hearing instrument usage in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (ROI), as well as their overall 2024 market data.

The year ended with a decrease for Q4 of 10.1% on public hearing instrument sales (compared to Q3) and a rise of 0.4% for private hearing instruments. ROI also experienced a 10% drop in their hearing instrument sales over the quarter.

Looking at the year as a whole, both private and public hearing instrument market data rose by 4% in comparison to 2023, culminating in 2,245,540 annual sales. This is up 13% from 2022 total sales (1,974,521) and a 85% from 2020 total sales (1,209,461).

For the first time, BIHIMA is also including a distinction in annual sales figures between hearing instruments sold to NHS audiology services and those sold to independent outlets carrying out NHS contracts, such as AQP. The annual figures for 2024 break down into 473,961 private sales, 1,060,795 public (NHS) sales and 710,784 to the independent sector.

Speaking about the data, Paul Surridge, BIHIMA Chairman, said: “It’s great to see such consistent progress across the year, and especially reassuring to look at 2024 compared to previous years. We know that the benefits of people prioritising their hearing are enormous – from reduced social isolation to better mental health, increased work opportunities and a deeper sense of connection and belonging within relationships and the community. The figures prove that more and more people are taking better care of their hearing and so may have the opportunity to feel these ripple effects themselves.

“The advancements in hearing care technology – especially across the past year – are also ensuring that hearing instruments are more accessible, adaptable and impactful. We hope to see these numbers increase across 2025 as further features and ranges start to hit the market.”

Download the full Q4 report here.

As a voice for hearing technology, BIHIMA regularly monitors the market and releases the results of its members every quarter. To keep up to date with the latest hearing instrument market information sign up to receive BIHIMA’s quarterly results here.

About BIHIMA:

BIHIMA represents the hearing instrument manufacturers of Britain and Ireland, working in partnership with other professional, trade, regulatory and consumer organisations within the health care and charitable sectors. We raise consumer awareness about the latest hearing technology and aim to influence government and policy makers to improve the lives of people with hearing difficulties.