BIHIMA is looking for hearing instrument users to join a new public panel that will shape future projects influencing the hearing health industry.
At BIHIMA, we are committed to raising awareness of hearing loss and the impact it has on society. We do this by working collaboratively with our members – hearing device manufacturers at the forefront of global innovation – to highlight the life-changing impact of hearing loss and also promoting the ways in which hearing technology can drastically improve the wellbeing of those living with hearing loss.
However, something that we have been striving to do is collaborate more with those at the very core of what we do; the actual individuals who have hearing loss. It is vital that their voices are heard and used to influence genuine change.
That’s why we are excited to launch the new BIHIMA Public Panel.
What is the Hearing Matters public panel?
The Hearing Matters public panel will consist of up to 15 hearing instrument users from across the UK who will take part in quarterly consultations with a representative of BIHIMA and a special guest. These consultations will give panel participants the opportunity to share their experiences, provide feedback on hearing technology and help to shape ongoing hearing health and hearing instrument projects. Topics for discussion may include:
- Open forums to share issues, challenges and concerns
- New technology
- Dementia and links to hearing loss
- Managing your hearing in busy environments
- Service availability
“The public panel has been on our agenda for some time, and with hearing health missing from Government manifestos in the leadup to the recent election, this feels like the prime time to pass the power back to the people most impacted.
“The hope with the public panel is that not only will it enable hearing instrument users to play an important role in shaping hearing health campaigns and technology, but also it will ensure that we as an organisation can better support the communities that we are trying to serve,” said Paul Surridge, Chairman of BIHIMA.
In addition to the consultations, BIHIMA plans to put a spotlight on each panel participant throughout the next year to help showcase the huge breadth of people who wear hearing instruments in society today.
“Our participant case studies are an important part of the public panel. We know that there is still a negative stigma around wearing hearing instruments, along with the assumption that hearing loss tends to only affect older people. By working with real people with real experiences of hearing loss, we can show that hearing loss affects people in so many different ways and that it is not restricted to one demographic,” said Paul.
How can people join the Hearing Matters public panel?
If you – or someone that you know – is a hearing instrument user who might be interested in joining the public panel, all you need to do is fill in this quick application form so that we can get to know you. You’ll then hear from a member of the BIHIMA team with more information. In the meantime, if you have any specific questions, you can email hello@bihima.com
