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HEARING CARE INDUSTRY ASSOCIATION

HCIA is the Hearing Care Industry Association. Its vision is to serve the Australian community by facilitating the delivery of world-class hearing healthcare to all Australians.

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NO TIME TO WASTE: LET’S CLOSE THE LAG FROM HEARING LOSS TO HEARING AID ACCESS
Media Release for Hearing Awareness Week 2026 starting 1 March
National research released today has found that70% of all hearing aid owners think they should have gotten them sooner. The research conducted by Anovum GmBH[1] confirms most Australians who wear a hearing aid take 4-6 years between becoming aware of the hearing loss and obtaining a hearing aid.
“There is much in this research for policy makers and providers to reflect and act upon,” says Donna Edman, CEO of the Hearing Care Industry Association.
“The good news in this research is that 87% of hearing aid owners say their hearing aid works better than or as expected. Respondents with hearing aids say having them increases the chance of getting the right job, being promoted, and getting a higher salary. Hearing aid owners also report feeling less exhausted in the evenings and their quality of sleep seems to improve if they are using hearing aids.
“But the lag between awareness of hearing loss and actually getting one is a concern, especially at a time when workforce productivity is a key national policy focus. We must close that lag,” stressed Donna.
“Another encouraging finding is that 62% of hearing aid owners feel people never make fun or reject them because of their hearing aids. In fact, respondents report that it is more likely that someone makes fun or rejects a hearing impaired person without a hearing aid. So, this research busts a myth: hearing aids are becoming more socially acceptable.”
“But there’s more work to be done to destigmatise hearing loss, promote prevention and work with GPs to encourage Australians to prioritise hearing health,” Donna said.
Research shows that hearing aids could reduce the rate cognitive decline in older adults at high risk of dementia and are a safer way to lower the risk of dementia in vulnerable populations.[2]
“As our population ages, more people are at risk of getting dementia. This research suggests that more people are becoming aware that addressing hearing impairment could be a modifiable risk mitigation against dementia, with 20% of all hearing-impaired respondents aware that hearing loss could be linked to dementia. It’s a great start and we need to keep raising awareness of the benefits of looking after your hearing and moving quickly to address hearing impairment,” said Donna.
Contact: Jen Eddy jen@arrowconsulting.com.au 0439240 755
[1] Anovum GmBH APACTrak Australia study 2025. Sample size from n=14,863 people based on census data; n = 601 hearing impaired non-owners and n=599 hearing impaired owners. Part of an international tracking study to improve hearing aid access across 16 countries and 3 continents https://www.anovum.com/en/international-tracking Australia Trak 2025
[2] https://www.dementia.org.au/brain-health/reduce-your-risk-dementia/hearing-and-vision