IAHA

17/02/2026

We're delighted to announce that IAHA chairman Andrew Thomas will be speaking at the Zero Project Conference 2026!

He'll be joined by Lidia Best, President of the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) in the first joint enterprise since the two organisations signed a Memorandum of Understanding in December.

Access to communication is a fundamental human right, yet millions of individuals who are hard of hearing continue to face significant barriers to full participation in society. Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) have the potential to bridge this gap, offering innovative solutions to improve hearing access in education, employment, healthcare, and public spaces.

The conference will bring together participants from around the world at the United Nations Office in Vienna, Austria. This year’s focus topics are Accessibility, ICT, and Crisis Response. The conference agenda will centre on innovative solutions that have been evaluated and selected through an extensive research process—the Zero Project Awardees 2026.

Join us on Livesteam, Thursday February 19th at 16.20 CET. Find out more about the upcoming session here: https://buff.ly/vu9JLWo

16/02/2026

“We’re experiencing one of the most technologically transformative periods the hearing sector has ever seen. Artificial intelligence, advanced connectivity, and real-time personalisation are redefining how people experience hearing care. Consumers are responding to that innovation. The private sector’s growth could reflect both this need for cutting-edge technology and the desire for faster, more tailored solutions."

BIHIMA has published its Q3 2025 hearing technology market data, revealing a decline in public sector sales alongside growth in both private and Republic of Ireland markets.

While NHS sales fell by 2.8% compared with Q2, private sector sales have risen by 9.4%:

BIHIMA has released Q3 data on hearing technology market figures for 2025, showing a reduction in public sales but a boost in private and ROI sales. Private sales are up by 9.4% (from 124,236 in Q2 to 136,550 in Q3). Republic of Ireland sales rose by 11% (from 26,202 in Q2 to 29,263). NHS sales […...

13/02/2026

IAHA membership is open to anyone working in, or alongside, the assistive listening technology sector, from manufacturers and installers to audiologists, advocates, and organisations supporting people with hearing loss. It doesn’t just include manufacturers of assistive technologies, but also wider groups and individuals working to improve hearing access across society.

Full and Associate memberships are now open. Learn more about what IAHA membership offers and how to join: https://buff.ly/aiZVQXf

12/02/2026

Upcoming webinar from The Hearing Loss Association of America - Thriving in Sound-Intensive Workplaces: Strategies for Inclusion, Communication and Success.

Taking place on Wednesday February 18th, a panel of professionals with hearing loss will share how to navigate accommodations, use technology effectively and build confidence in noisy, fast-paced work environments.

Find out more and register here:

Discover tech-driven strategies for workplace inclusion in this HLAA webinar—tools, tips, and insights to empower deaf and hard-of-hearing professionals.

11/02/2026

A wide range of assistive listening technologies are available today, and navigating the options can often feel overwhelming. Our goal is to make these systems easier to understand and to provide clear, practical guidance on choosing the right solution for your needs.

Find out more about the range of assistive listening technologies that are available to you here:

Hearing loops, also known as induction loops, are assistive listening systems that use electromagnetic fields to transmit sound directly to hearing aids and cochlear implants equipped with telecoils (T-coils).

10/02/2026

IAHA member Williams AV celebrates 50 years of advancing assistive communication technology.

What a milestone!

Read all about it here:

Eden Prairie, MN – In 1976, Jerry Williams received a simple question from his pastor: “Can you help the members of our congregation who are struggling

09/02/2026

"Most technologies fit neatly into existing structures. Auracast does not.

It touches infrastructure, devices, standards, regulation, and lived experience simultaneously. That complexity forced a different behavior. Leaders had to listen across disciplines. Engineers had to consider human effort. Policy had to meet practice."

Bill Schiffmiller reflects on attending the recent Auracast pilot event at Frankfurt Airport and what it could mean for communication in complex public spaces.

What seems to stand out isn’t so much the technology itself, but how, in this instance, Auracast could bring airport operators, hearing tech companies, platforms, and government together to work on communication challenges common to complex public spaces.

Interesting to note that the panelists’ “a-ha moments” weren’t necessarily about Auracast’s technical specifications, but more about realizing how clear communication can shape behaviour and decision-making in complex and noisy environments: https://buff.ly/mMX6noI

06/02/2026

Confused about OTC hearing aids? Here, Hearing Tracker shares advice on what OTC hearing aids are, how they differ from prescription versions, and who might be a good candidate for each, breaking down the key differences between OTC and prescription hearing aids in the USA:

OTC hearing aids can be good. Learn how well OTC hearing aids perform and under what conditions you can skip professionally fitted prescription devices.

05/02/2026

Our membership is open to anyone involved in the assistive listening technology sector.

It doesn’t just include manufacturers of assistive technologies, but also groups and individuals working to improve hearing access across society.

Find out more about the many benefits that IAHA membership can offer you or your organization here: https://buff.ly/Lf8xRku

04/02/2026

"It's amazing how many times I've had to abandon the hearing assistance system because it doesn't work well... too quiet, distorted, delayed, poor balance between voices and instruments. Sometimes it just isn't functional at all, and nobody's noticed."

Interesting to see this recent online discussion on Ycombinator/Hacker News about some real-world experiences with assistive listening.

A lot of very mixed opinions, some hearing loop systems work exceptionally well, while others fall short due to poor maintenance or limited understanding. The difference often comes down to how well systems are installed, tested, and supported over time.

It’s interesting to see hearing loops discussed alongside newer options like Bluetooth and emerging technologies such as Auracast, with users openly comparing their own experiences of what works, what doesn’t, and where gaps still exist in day-to-day use.

Thread here: https://buff.ly/x3Hi55o

03/02/2026

What are Standards?

Standards provide the benchmarks for the design, installation, and performance of assistive listening technologies. Maintained by recognized organizations, they support quality, consistency, and reliability for manufacturers, installers, and users.

They're also critical to accessibility. They ensure assistive listening technologies perform reliably, consistently, and as people expect them to.

Find out more about them here:

Standards ensure that different components and devices within an assistive listening system are compatible and can work seamlessly together.

02/02/2026

“By bringing clear, personalized announcements directly into passengers’ own hearing devices, we are offering another attractive service to our customers while at the same time taking an important step towards a more inclusive airport."

Frankfurt Airport has become the first airport worldwide to use Auracast for Public Announcements.

The trial forms part of a Distr@l-funded digital accessibility initiative, with Auracast transmitters integrated directly into the airports existing IP paging stations at gates A16 and A17 in Terminal 1. Over the coming two months, feedback from both passengers and airport staff will be collected to assess the impact of the technology on accessibility, listening comfort and the overall passenger experience.

Find out more here:

Frankfurt Airport is the world’s first airport to implement innovative Auracast™ technology for public announcements. Passengers can receive gate information directly on their own hearing aids, earbuds, or smartphones. Auracast™ enhances inclusion for travelers with hearing loss and supports t...