Digital hearing aids (Provisional title)

Status:

In progress

Technology type:

Device

Decision:

Selected

Reason for decision:

Anticipate the topic will be of importance to patients, carers, professionals, commissioners and the health of the public to ensure clinical benefit is realised, inequalities in use addressed, and help them make the best use of NHS resources

Description:

Hearing loss is caused by a problem in the hearing system which prevents sound signals from reaching the brain. It is the second most common cause of disability in the UK affecting about 18 million people. Hearing aids are small electronic devices that fit behind or inside the ear. They pick up sounds, process them, and then make them louder and clearer to help people with hearing loss hear more easily. Using hearing aids can improve a person’s quality of life by reducing the psychological, social and emotional effects of hearing loss. Hearing aids differ in size, where they are placed (behind or inside the ear), and how much they amplify sound. Hearing aids have been through rapid innovation over the past 25 years. Modern devices may have features such as rechargeable batteries and automatic tuning and adjustment that may help the device last longer, reduce the need for NHS services and improve sustainability. They may also include features such as Bluetooth connectivity, noise reduction and personalised settings that make the hearing aids easier for people to use. This NICE assessment aims to support commissioning and procurement decisions, promote effective use of NHS resources, and improve care.

Provisional Schedule

Scoping workshop:

19 January 2026

Scope published:

06 February 2026

Project Team

Project lead

Toni Gasse

Email enquiries

If you have any queries please email Diagnostics@nice.org.uk

Stakeholders

External assessment group

CEDAR (Centre for Healthcare Evaluation, Device Assessment and Research), Cardiff and Vale University Health Board

Timeline

Key events during the development of the guidance:

For further information on our processes and methods, please see our HealthTech programme manual.