The EuroTrak Spain 2023 survey shows that around 10.6% of the total Spanish population report having hearing loss. Among adults (18+), the figure is 12.3%.

In 2023, 39% of individuals with self-reported hearing loss in Spain reported using hearing aids – up slightly from 37% in 2020. About 55% of these users are fitted with two hearing aids (binaural fitting), marking progress from 47% in the previous survey.

Widespread benefits of hearing aids

Hearing aid users in Spain report numerous quality-of-life improvements. These include better communication, more participation in social life, improved emotional well-being, and greater confidence in public settings. Notably, 96% of hearing aid users say their devices improve their quality of life at least sometimes.

The survey also highlights additional health benefits: hearing aid users are less likely to experience depression, mental and physical fatigue, or poor sleep quality compared to those with untreated hearing loss. In the workplace, 96% of employed hearing aid users found their aids useful, with 70% rating them as significantly beneficial for their job performance.

Desire for earlier treatment

A strong 67% of hearing aid users said they should have gotten their devices sooner. Missing out on social life and emotional wellness were the most common regrets, followed by reduced work performance and greater fatigue.

Hearing tests and access

About 46% of the Spanish population reported having had a hearing test in the last five years, with most tests conducted by family doctors. Despite this, gaps remain in the care pathway: although 79% of those with hearing loss discussed it with a doctor, only 58% received a recommendation for hearing aids, and just 39% eventually acquired them.

Paying for hearing aids

Reimbursement remains a challenge. Only 26% of hearing aid owners reported receiving any third-party funding, and awareness is low – just 11% of non-users believe they’d qualify for coverage. In Spain, public funding is mostly limited to individuals under the age of 26.

About the survey

EuroTrak Spain 2023 was conducted by Anovum on behalf of the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA) and A.N.A. It involved a representative sample of 15,387 people, including 1,311 individuals with hearing loss.

You can download the full report at: www.ehima.com/surveys