The hearing aid market - Spain (2024)

1.2 The global market

The global hearing aid market is expected to grow steadily, with a CAGR of around *.**% over the period ****-****. In ****, the market is valued at $**.** billion, rising to $**.** billion by ****. The market is driven by the global ageing of the population, particularly in developed countries.

Market estimates o

The graph below compares the number of people equipped with hearing aids in certain European countries. It can be seen that Spain's rate in **** (***).

Comparison of population equipped with hearing aids in selected European countries Europe, ****, % of population Source: ****

1.3 The domestic market

Over the years **** to ****, the hearing aid market in Spain has evolved significantly. In ****, the number of sales stood at ***,*** units, then fell slightly in **** (***). These figures illustrate a positive and growing trend in the adoption of hearing aids in Spain. Thus, in addition to the year **** marked by Covid **, the hearing aid market is growing strongly in Spain. It should also be noted that, while Spain has an extensive hearing aid distribution network, only a marginal proportion of these products are manufactured in Spain.

Growth in the number of hearing aid sales in Spain Spain, ****-****, thousands of sales Source: ****

With the above data, it is now possible to estimate the size of the hearing aid market in Spain. With an average selling price of €*,***[***], we obtain a sales estimate for the sector equivalent to €*** million in ****.

Estimated sales for the hearing aid sector Spain, ****-****, millions of euros **** Source: ****

Finally, companies in Spain selling hearing aids belong to the statistical code defined byINE CNAE **** "Trade in medical and orthopedic articles in specialized establishments". The graph below shows the overall trend in sales for these companies, including but not limited to those dedicated specifically to hearing aids.

Sales of CNAE ...

1.4 Imports and exports

Between **** and ****, the Spanish trade balance for hearing aids deteriorated significantly, marked by a steady increase in the deficit. In ****, the trade balance was -$**.** million, worsening to -$**.** million in ****, a deterioration of **.**%. In ****, the deficit increased by a further **.**% to -$***.* million. The year **** continued this trend with a further increase in the deficit of **.**%, reaching -$***.** million. Finally, in ****, the trade deficit increased by a further **.**%, peaking at -$***.** million. This deterioration in the trade balance was due in particular to a sharp rise in imports, coupled with a stabilization in exports.

Evolution of Spanish foreign trade in hearing aids Spain, ****-****, $ million Source: ****

In ****, the main origins of hearing aid imports into Spain are dominated by Poland and the Netherlands, accounting for **.**% and **.**% of total imports respectively. Germany and China follow with market shares of **.**% and **.**% respectively, while Malaysia contributes *.**%. Imports from Denmark account for *.**% of the total, and the rest of the world completes the picture with *.**% of import origins.

Main origins of Spanish hearing aid imports Spain and the rest of the world, ****, % (***) Source: ****

Spanish exports of hearing aids are mainly directed to several European countries. Portugal absorbs the largest share of exports, accounting for ...

2.1 An increasingly ageing society

In ****, Spain was considered to be the *th European country with the oldest population[***]. This aging population is an asset for the development of the hearing aid market, since age is a key criterion in determining whether or not consumers need hearing aids. This age component will be an additional demand for the hearing aid market in the future, since over the coming decades, the population aged ** and over in Spain will increase significantly. In ****, this age group represented **.*% of the total population. By ****, this proportion should reach **.*% of the total population.

Population aged ** and over in Spain Spain, ****-****, % of population Source: ****

Age appears to be the main criterion for demand for hearing aids. Among people aged under ** and ** to **, only *% report hearing loss. This proportion rises steadily with age, reaching **.*% among people over **. The intermediate age groups also show a gradual increase: *.*% in the **-** age group, *.*% in the **-** age group, *.*% in the **-** age group, **.*% in the **-** age group, and **.*% in the **-** age group.

People reporting hearing loss according to age Spain, ****, % of population Source: ****

Finally, in ****, **.*% of the Spanish population claimed to have a hearing problem.

People reporting hearing problems in Spain Spain, ****-****, ...

2.2 Current hearing aid population

In Spain, between **** and ****, the proportion of hearing-impaired people equipped with hearing aids showed a slight increase. In ****, **.*% of the hearing-impaired population used hearing aids, rising to **.*% in ****. This trend is similar for adults over **, where hearing aid adoption has risen from **.*% to **.*% over the same period. For people aged ** and over, hearing aid use rose from **.*% to **.*%, indicating a modest but significant increase in this age group. In contrast, rates of hearing aid use are lower among younger age groups, notably those aged ** to ** and under **.

Hearing aid population among the hearing impaired Spain, ****-****, % of total Source: ****

In ****, *.*% of the population was equipped with hearing aids. This corresponds to **.*% of the hearing-impaired population.

Hearing aid adoption rate Spain, ****, Source: ****

In ****, **% of hearing aids in Spain were stereo, i.e. acting on both ears, while **% were monophonic.

Type of hearing aid used Spain, ****, % of total Source: ****

2.3 Access to hearing aids

When it comes to obtaining hearing aids, a large proportion of hard-of-hearing people don't follow through. Out of ***% of hard-of-hearing people, only **% discuss the subject with their doctor. After testing, only **% of those concerned have a positive opinion from their doctor about obtaining hearing aids. Finally, only **.*% of hearing-impaired people have hearing aids.

The path to hearing aids Spain, ****, % of total Source: ****

This "loss" of potential clientele is expressed by the length of time people wait before remedying their hearing problem. Among those who already have a hearing aid, **% took action within a year of becoming aware of their hearing loss, while **% waited two years before acquiring a hearing aid. By contrast, among those who don't yet have a hearing aid, only **% took action within the first year, and this percentage increases progressively as time goes by: **% at two years, **% at three years, **% over a period of * to * years, and finally, **% waited more than six years before taking action.

How long did you wait before buying a hearing aid after realizing you had a hearing loss? Spain, ****, % of total Source: ****

When it comes to the rate of hearing aid adoption according to the severity of hearing loss, several things stand out. ...

2.4 User satisfaction

The lifespan of hearing aids:

When it comes to the lifespan of hearing aids, given that on average they are used *.* hours a day, a significant proportion of users (***) replace them within * to * years of purchase. Around **% of devices last between * and * years, while **% continue to work for * to ** years. Finally, a group of **% use their hearing aids for ** years or more. Thus, **% of hearing aids are changed within the first * years of use.

Hearing aid service life Spain, ****, % of total Source: ****

User satisfaction:

In Spain in ****, hearing aid user satisfaction shows significant variations according to duration of use and daily wearing time. Overall, **% of hearing aid wearers are satisfied. Users who have had their devices for less than two years show a higher satisfaction rate at **%, while those who have been using them for more than two years have a satisfaction rate of **%. In terms of daily use, **% of those wearing their hearing aids for up to four hours a day were satisfied, rising to **% for those wearing them for between four and eight hours a day, and to **% for those using them for more than eight hours a day.

Respondents' satisfaction with their hearing aids Spain, ****, % (***) Source: ****

3.1 Value chain

The diagram below shows the value chain for hearing aids in Spain:

Research and Development (***): Companies invest in R&D to innovate and improve hearing aid technologies, including noise reduction features, Bluetooth connectivity, and sound quality improvements. Sourcing of materials: Manufacturing companies source the components needed to produce hearing aids. Manufacturing: At this stage, the hearing instruments are manufactured. In Spain, a large proportion of these products are imported. Distribution: Companies use various distribution channels to reach consumers, including hearing aid specialists, hospitals, specialized clinics and pharmacies. Final consumer: Hearing aid specialists adjust hearing aids to suit the user's wishes. After-sales service: After purchase, users benefit from maintenance services, repairs and additional adjustments if required.

3.2 Production structure

A market dominated by conglomerates:

The table opposite lists the * conglomerates that concentrate the global hearing aid market and are present on the Spanish market. These * conglomerates have most of the brands available on the market. Note that these * conglomerates are all foreign groups.

Conglomerates Brands Demant Oticon, Phillips, Bernafon y Sonic Innovations. GN ReSound, Interton, Belton y Jabra. Sonova Phonak, Hansaton y Unitron. WS Audiology. Widex, Signia, Siemens y Audio Service.

Source: ****

The importance of the brand :

Regarding the importance of the brand, **% of users know their hearing aid brand. **% don't know it, but could remember it, while **% don't know it at all.

Do you know your hearing aid brand? Spain, ****, % (***) Source: ****

3.3 Distribution

A survey carried out by ANFIA in **** in Spain, shows distinct preferences as to where people actually and potentially buy hearing aids. Among those who already own hearing aids, an overwhelming majority of **% have purchased them from specialist outlets. Alternative options, such as opticians, pharmacies and online shopping, play a much more marginal role, accounting for **%, *% and *% of purchases respectively. On the other hand, among those who don't yet have hearing aids, **% plan to buy from specialist outlets, underlining a strong preference for these specialist stores.

Survey: where have you bought, where would you buy your hearing aids? Spain, ****, % Source: ****

A study of the CNAE code **** defined by theINE also provides an insight into the market structure of hearing aid distribution in Spain. This includes all categories related to "trade in medical and orthopedic articles". The graphs below give an idea of this sector, although it is reinforced by the sale of other medical articles.

Between **** and ****, the evolution of the number of companies in Spain for CNAE code ****, which concerns the retail sale of medical and orthopedic products in specialized stores, has been marked by significant fluctuations. In ****, the number of companies was ****, up from **** in ****. In ****, there was a ...

4.1 Offer typology

The table opposite shows the types of hearing aids available on the Spanish market:

Source: ****

4.2 Prices

A subscription offer:

While prices for hearing aids range from €*,*** to €*,***, it is also possible to have hearing aids via a monthly subscription. The table below, from Audika, summarizes this provider's offer in Spain:

Source: ****

Price trends

Between **** and June ****, the price index for hearing aids in Spain, with a base of *** in ****, has seen various fluctuations. In ****, the index was **.**, down slightly to **.** in ****. In ****, it rose to **.**, before falling back to **.** in ****. The year **** marks the baseline with an index of ***. **** sees a significant rise to ***.**, followed by a notable increase to ***.** in ****. In January ****, the index reaches ***.**, before declining slightly to ***.** in June ****. Thus, after the high inflation experienced by this product between **** and ****, a slight stabilization can be observed for the first part of ****.

Hearing aid price index trends in Spain Spain, ****-June ****, index base ***, **** Source: ****

4.3 The importance of digital

Digital applications play a crucial role for people fitted with hearing aids, considerably improving their quality of life. These applications enable real-time, personalized adjustment of hearing aids, optimizing hearing in a variety of sound situations. They offer advanced functionalities such as ambient noise reduction, personalization of hearing profiles according to environments (***), and management of notifications and phone calls directly via the hearing aids. What's more, they provide useful data for monitoring and adjusting hearing aids by hearing care professionals, facilitating more precise medical monitoring and proactive maintenance.

By ****, **% of users had been informed by their healthcare professional of the existence of connected tools linked to their hearing aids. And **% of those surveyed said they regularly used these applications.

People using mobile applications linked to their hearing aids Spain, ****, % of total Source: ****

In terms of user satisfaction with this type of product, **% of users are at least fairly satisfied. **% are neutral, and **% are dissatisfied.

Are you satisfied with digital applications for hearing aids? Spain, ****, % Source: ****

Finally, it is now possible to consult an audioprosthetist remotely to make adjustments to your hearing aids. Only *% of users had done so in ****. **% of those surveyed had heard of it, and **% didn't know it was ...

4.4 The Telecoil system

The telecoil system, or magnetic induction loop (***). The system consists of an amplifier connected to a sound source and a network of copper cables forming a loop. The audio signal is thus transformed into magnetic waves, which are picked up by the hearing aids in the area covered. This device is particularly useful for eliminating ambient noise and improving speech intelligibility, making public spaces such as auditoriums, cinemas and government offices more accessible. However, with the evolution of wireless technologies such as Bluetooth, the future of magnetic loops may be called into question. [***]

In ****, the majority of hearing aid users in Spain do not know whether their devices are equipped with Telecoil, representing **% of respondents. Of the remainder, **% have Telecoil-equipped hearing aids, while **% say they do not.

Do you have Telecoil-equipped hearing aids? Spain, ****, % Source: ****

Among the population aware of Telecoil, *% of users never use it, while **% rarely use it. **% of users say they use Telecoil sometimes, indicating moderate use. **% of users use it often, and only *% of users report using it very often

How often do you use Telecoil to improve your hearing? Spain, ****, % Source: ****

In ****, Spanish Telecoil users used it in a variety of places to improve their hearing. ...

5.1 State aid

A number of state aids are available in Spain to help consumers purchase hearing aids. These aids are not provided by the central government, but are the responsibility of the Autonomous Communities. Nevertheless, these aids are nationally conditioned by the following criteria:

Recognition of a degree of disability of at least **% (***). To have no debts to the Autonomous Community, and to be up to date with social security obligations.

The table opposite summarizes the different types of assistance offered by the various Autonomous Communities:

Source: ****

6.1 Segmentation

• Amplifon France
• Sonova Groupe
• Prodition (Groupe Demant)
• WS Audiology (Widex Sivantos)
• GN Hearing
• Audika (Groupe Demant)
• Alain Afflelou Accousticien