AIHHP Hearing Expo 2025 - Connection, Courage, and Community

“A fantastic AIHHP expo yesterday. A great opportunity to catch up with friends and colleagues. A brilliant line up of guest presenters and an exceptionally good exhibition.” – Lynne Leeming, Charnwood Hearing

 

The AIHHP Hearing Expo 2025 was a powerful reminder of why independent hearing care matters – not just clinically, but socially, emotionally and humanly.

Bringing together audiologists, hearing care professionals, researchers, manufacturers and advocates, the day struck a careful balance between inspiration, evidence and practical insight. From the outset, the Expo reinforced AIHHP’s commitment to professional excellence and community.

A panel discussion at the 2025 AIHHP gathering.

The Members’ Meeting set the tone, with important governance updates, including plans for constitutional changes to support a new membership structure that prioritises accessibility without compromising standards. Updates on forthcoming initiatives – including the long-awaited launch of ACE in Q1 2026 and an exclusive SoundChoice offer for members from TinnitusUK – underlined AIHHP’s focus on progress and member value.

“Another great AIHHP of engaging and thought-provoking talks and the added benefit of having all the manufacturers in one place. It’s always a great opportunity to catch up and share ideas with other AIHHP members of Independent Clinicians – even into the wee small hours after the Golden Lobes.” – Hayley Clements, Just Hearing

Let go of negativity!

Keynote speaker Jono Lancaster – “courage, honesty and warmth”.

One of the most moving moments of the day came from keynote speaker Jono Lancaster. His courage, honesty and warmth left a lasting impression on the room. Speaking candidly about vulnerability, identity and resilience, Jono encouraged delegates to let go of negativity and embrace human connection.

The spontaneous standing ovation he received spoke volumes – a shared moment of empathy that many described as unforgettable.

Insights, reflections, learning

Clinical and research-led sessions added depth and challenge. The Interactive elements of Phonak’s session; Hearing Aids. The Social Cure?, pushed delegates to reflect on assumptions around hearing loss and adoption, sparking thoughtful discussion throughout the day.

Carly Sygrove’s session on sudden hearing loss offered a deeply personal perspective, reminding delegates what these experiences truly feel like for patients. The emotional honesty resonated strongly, reinforcing the value of lived experience in shaping compassionate care.

Research took centre stage with Roulla Katiri from NIHR, who demystified participation in hearing research and demonstrated how practices can actively shape the future of care. With examples ranging from paediatric trials at Great Ormond Street to adult rehabilitation studies, the message was clear: research is not remote – it is relevant, accessible and transformative.

Innovation and collaboration were recurring themes, with insights into cochlear implant pathways, follow-up interventions and outcomes-focused care. Sessions consistently returned to the idea that progress happens when people – clinicians, patients, researchers and industry – work together.

Practical business insight also featured strongly. Joe Whitley’s session encouraged delegates to reconnect with their why, reminding practices that trust, empathy and personalisation sit at the heart of meaningful patient conversations. The panel session that followed added relatable, real-world reflections on running and growing a practice in a complex environment.

Golden Lobe Awards 2025

2025 Golden Lobe Award winners

The evening celebrations brought the community together once more. The Golden Lobe Awards recognised excellence across the profession, with industry leaders echoing the pride and momentum felt throughout the day. As one attendee reflected, “the Expo wasn’t just informative – it was uplifting”.

In the words shared on LinkedIn afterwards, the AIHHP Hearing Expo 2025 was a place where people learned together, challenged perspectives, celebrated success and reconnected with why they do what they do. A true celebration of independent hearing care – and a reminder that progress is at its most powerful when it is shared.

WSA and Phonak continue support for independents

No review of the AIHHP Hearing Expo 2025 would be complete without recognising the vital role played by our industry partners. AIHHP is hugely grateful to our two 2025 Key Partners, WS Audiology and Phonak, whose continued support, engagement and belief in independent practice helped shape the success of the event.

We also extend our sincere thanks to all of our exhibitors, who once again brought energy, innovation and expertise to the exhibition floor. Their willingness to share knowledge, showcase new solutions and engage openly with delegates is fundamental to the value of the Expo. Quite simply, without their support, collaboration and investment, the event would not be possible.

Interaction takes many forms at the annual AIHHP conferences.

The AIHHP Hearing Expo remains a true partnership between the independent profession, industry, researchers and advocates – and 2025 was a powerful example of what can be achieved when that community comes together with a shared purpose: to improve lives through better hearing care.