IAHA has agreed to work alongside the European Federation of Hard of Hearing People (EFHOH) in a formal agreement to further the interests of people with hearing loss.
Signed in January 2026, the Memorandum of Understanding cements the relationship the two organisations have had for a number of years and demonstrates a commitment to work together to promote hearing access rights in Europe.
Hearing loss is one of the most prevalent disabling health conditions among adults, with more than 59 million people in the European Union, United Kingdom, Norway, and Switzerland reporting hearing difficulties.
Within this five year framework, IAHA and EFHOH will collaborate to promote access to hearing devices, assistive technologies, accessible communication, and inclusive digital and public spaces.
Andrew Thomas, Chair of IAHA, said, "This is an important move for IAHA as part of our expanded remit to promote all aspects of hearing accessibility. EFHOH is a very active organisation and one that we look forward to working with more closely to benefit people with hearing loss."
President of EFHOH, Lidia Best, said: "This next step in our long-standing collaboration with IAHA provides a solid framework for strategic cooperation. Hearing accessibility is essential for full participation in society. By combining EFHOH's rights-based advocacy with IAHA's technical expertise, we aim to promote accessibility, inclusion, and participation for people with hearing loss across Europe."
