On 4 July 2025, the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA) and national trade bodies from nine countries gathered in Paris, hosted by the French med-tech association SNITEM, for EHIMA’s fifth European Hearing Industry Forum. The annual meeting has become the sector’s main platform to discuss the latest trends in public health policies and regulations that drive hearing care around the globe. This year’s edition came at a moment when new EU legislation, workforce pressures and public health ambitions are converging to reshape the hearing care landscape.

Reflecting on drivers of innovation within a complex policy landscape

Speakers offered a panorama of perspectives on policies – painting a picture of an industry that must keep innovating while staying ahead of an increasingly complex policy landscape on both sides of the Atlantic.

• Dr Stefan Zimmer [EHIMA Secretary-General] underlined how digital innovation and sound public policy must move in tandem. He spotlighted EHIMA’s EuroTrak data and the consumer-facing portal org as evidence engines for future discussions.
• Peter A. Villadsen [EHIMA PAC Committee Chairman & GN Hearing Senior Vice President] and Giorgio Rizzello [Former EHIMA PAC Committee Chairman & Sonova Head of Government Affairs Europe] highlighted the breadth of forthcoming EU legislation – from the Artificial Intelligence Act, which will shape how smart hearing technologies are developed and certified, to Green Deal measures that will demand stronger environmental performance from manufacturers.
• From Washington, Bridget Dobyan mapped US developments such as Medicaid reforms and over-the-counter device uptake. Her remarks showed how transatlantic trends can foreshadow European debates and open opportunities for joint advocacy.

The national associations also offered insights into their own communications activities around hearing loss and access to public care. SNITEM (France) reported on the latest political momentum from the “100 % Santé” reform. ANFIA (Spain) showcased its forthcoming national audiology convention in November 2026. BVHI (Germany) detailed the roll-out of the HIDataSync product-data hub, and BIHIMA (UK/Ireland) presented fresh EuroTrak results along with its education series on Auracast.

Emerging policy priorities

Looking ahead, hearing instrument manufacturers will be working under a much broader EU rulebook that tightens standards on three fronts: digital, healthcare and sustainability. Digital laws – above all the implementation of the Artificial Intelligence Act – will determine how smart features are developed and classified. The expected revamp of the Medical Device Regulation will raise the bar on clinical evidence and post-market vigilance.

Alongside these changes, Green Deal measures such as corporate sustainability reporting, tougher battery rules and emerging “right-to-repair” obligations will push manufacturers to prove environmental performance and extend product lifecycles. When stricter data sharing, chemicals regulation and cyber security requirements are added, the sector faces a dense landscape that will demand early planning and co-ordinated advocacy.

Charting the course for a year of change

The 2025 forum confirmed a clear industry consensus: scientific innovation must be matched by coherent policy, a skilled workforce and informed citizens if Europe is to meet the WHO target of tackling untreated hearing loss.

Nearly every national delegation reported an acute lack of qualified audiologists and hearing care professionals. They warned that rising demand risks outpacing the workforce. One of the main drivers of this shortage is the lack of new entrants into the profession. The message was clear: there is a dire need to advertise and raise the attractiveness of the profession. Participants therefore committed to exchange ideas on training incentives, remote-care models and best practice in task shifting, with a view to presenting concrete proposals to policymakers over the coming year.

Delegates also resolved to work towards far greater prominence of the World Hearing Day (3 March). They will pool case studies and economic data to show governments the societal value of early diagnosis and modern hearing technology, and they aim to anchor hearing care goals within wider public health agendas.

With a newly elected European Parliament settling in and a dense legislative docket ahead, EHIMA and its partners left Paris with a common agenda. They will work with EU institutions to present the sector’s views on forthcoming rules for artificial intelligence and sustainability, share best practice from countries such as France and Belgium to help address audiologist shortages elsewhere, and use World Hearing Day as a rallying point. This way the European hearing aid industry wants to ensure speaking with one voice on the issues that matter most to people who rely on better hearing every day.