Data shows strong annual performance across public and private sectors, though quarterly trends were mixed with a dip in private sales in Q4.
The British Irish Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (BIHIMA) has released its market data for 2025, revealing that total hearing instrument sales in the UK and the Republic of Ireland (ROI) grew by 7% over the previous year, reaching 2,407,653 units. The annual growth came despite varied results in the fourth quarter, which saw a rise in public sector sales alongside a decline in the private market.
For the full year, the UK public sector (NHS) experienced a 6.5% increase in unit sales compared to 2024, reaching a total of 1,886,835. The UK private market also showed significant annual growth, with 520,818 units sold, representing a 10% increase over 2024 figures.
However, the final quarter of 2025 showed fluctuations between sectors. UK public sales rose by 15% from Q3 to Q4. In contrast, private UK sales decreased by 5% during the same period, while ROI sales declined by 13%.
The data also highlights the continued prevalence of rechargeable technology. In the UK, rechargeable products account for over 91% of all private sales. In the ROI, over 76% of all hearing instruments sold are now rechargeable.
“These results show continued momentum in hearing instrument acquisition across the UK and ROI,” says Paul Surridge, BIHIMA chairman, in a release. “The levels of demand for hearing care are well documented, and while quarterly shifts in the data reflect normal market dynamics, the annual growth suggests increasing access and prioritization of hearing care.”
Surridge notes that the data will continue to offer important perspectives for the industry. “We look forward to reflecting on hearing instrument data in the year ahead, which will continue to provide vital insights for clinicians, policymakers and industry stakeholders seeking to understand how service access, technology advancements and consumer behavior shape the hearing instrument market,” he says.
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