BIHIMA representatives recently attended the third European Hearing Industry Forum (EHIF) meeting, held in Frankfurt, Germany and hosted by our colleagues from the European Hearing Instruments Manufacturers Association (EHIMA). Present at the meeting were representatives from the manufacturer’s associations of France, Switzerland, Italy and the USA.  

Stefan Zimmer, EHIMA Chair, welcomed the group and gave an overview of EHIMA’s structure, which includes committees for public affairs (evolved from a marketing group), technical matters and regulatory changes as well as ad hoc working groups for US affairs, legal matters and Cochlear Implants.  

Work in the past year has included a significant project to redevelop the communications strategy, establish key audiences and agree how EHIMA could have the most impact, which is through lobbying activity.  

EHIMA communications strategy 

In 2022, EHIMA launched a project to renew its communications strategy, driven by the aim to engage more in political policy. As a result, there is a new website under development that will be aimed at influencers and political decision makers, health care professionals and academics, and will provide high quality, science and fact-based information. The existing website will still be available.   

EHIMA Public Affairs Committee (PAC) 

As part of EHIMAs work to increase its influence with policy makers, a public affairs committee has been established and has identified a list of policies that are relevant to the hearing instrument industry in the EU and internationally. This will shape how the committee works with influential bodies to inform the development of laws and regulations.  

All attendees shared updates from their regions and agreed to continue working together as a strong network of partners, sharing challenges, best practice and information.