What Audiological Science does

Audiological Science Limited, founded in 1998 and registered in London (company number 09109538), is one of the UK's largest independent hearing care providers, operating over 250 clinic locations across England and Wales supported by a free home-visit service within catchment areas. The company fits and retails digital hearing aids from nine leading manufacturers — Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Signia, Bernafon, Unitron, and Rexton — across a four-tier price ladder running from £795 per pair (entry-level) to £3,610 per pair (premium), with a price-match guarantee, interest-free financing through Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC, a 60-day moneyback guarantee, and a free lifetime aftercare programme. Service revenue is generated through free hearing assessments, ear wax removal (micro-suction, irrigation, dry-tool extraction), professional hearing aid fittings, and ongoing maintenance, with same-day fitting available at most clinics.

The business runs a hybrid go-to-market: a sales-led direct-to-consumer motion through the clinic network, phone (0800 228 9019), WhatsApp, and online booking; an earned-media and organic-search front door supported by Trustpilot, Doctify, and Google Reviews; and a parallel public-pay channel as an accredited provider of NHS audiology services across twelve English regions including Barnet, Black Country, Derbyshire, Devon, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Oxon Bucks, South London Boroughs, Waltham Forest, West England, Worcester & Hereford, and North West London. Over 350 GPs refer patients to the network as a recurring top-of-funnel source. Patient acquisition is reinforced by clinical differentiation — HCPC-registered audiologists, including Clinical Lead Nikhil Javarappa (Registered Clinical Scientist) and Managing Director Deep Patel (BSc Audiology) — and by independent-advice positioning relative to manufacturer-owned retailers.

In February 2025, Audiological Science received a £12.4 million investment from YFM Equity Partners — its first disclosed institutional funding — to scale the community care model and extend NHS regional coverage. The company announced a planned rebranding to 'The Hearing People' effective 1 July 2026.

Name

Audiological Science

Legal name

Audiological Science Limited

Website

https://audiologicalscience.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

1998

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Audiological Science is a UK-based independent hearing care provider operating over 250 clinics, fitting and selling digital hearing aids from nine leading manufacturers to both private and NHS patients across England and Wales.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hearing Care Services and Hearing Aid Retail

NAICS

Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (621340), Offices of Physical, Occupational and Speech Therapists, and Audiologists (62134)

SIC

Services-Offices & Clinics Of Doctors Of Medicine (8011), Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

Audiology & Hearing Services (ENT-Affiliated) (HLAKAMAI)

akta.pro secondary industries

Hearing Enhancement / Assistive Listening Audio Devices (CRACANAL), Audiology & Hearing Diagnostic Centers (HLAFAKAH)

Keywords

• Hearing aids
• Audiology services
• Ear wax removal
• NHS audiology
• Hearing assessments

Headquarters

HQ city

Sacriston

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure, Supply Chain

Revenue model

1. Hearing Aid Sales: One-time sales of hearing aids from leading manufacturers including Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Signia, Bernafon, Unitron, and Rexton. Prices range from entry-level models to premium devices.
2. Hearing Care Services: Professional services including hearing assessments, wax removal, hearing aid fittings, maintenance, repairs, and follow-up consultations. Services provided both privately and through NHS contracts.
3. NHS Service Contracts: Partnership with NHS regions across England providing audiology services. Company operates community care model and has NHS contracts in multiple regions including Barnet, Black Country, Derbyshire, Devon, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Oxon Bucks, South London Boroughs, Waltham Forest, West England, Worcester & Hereford, and North West London.
4. Interest Free Financing: Consumer financing through Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC for hearing aid purchases, providing installment payment options to customers.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels4 records

Marketing channels6 records

Core offering

Audiological Science is an independent UK hearing care provider that supplies premium digital hearing aids from leading manufacturers (Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Signia, Rexton, Bernafon, Unitron) and delivers professional audiology services including free hearing tests, ear wax removal, hearing aid fitting, and free lifetime aftercare. The company operates over 250 clinics across England and Wales, provides home visits, and holds NHS audiology contracts across multiple regions in England.

Product overview

Audiological Science is an independent UK hearing care provider offering hearing aids from multiple leading manufacturers (Oticon, Phonak, ReSound, Starkey, Widex, Signia, Rexton, Bernafon, Unitron) across over 250 clinics nationwide. The company provides a comprehensive range of hearing healthcare services including free hearing assessments, ear wax removal (via micro-suction, irrigation, and dry tool extraction), professional hearing aid fitting, and free lifetime aftercare. They serve both private patients and NHS patients across multiple UK regions. All hearing aids include a 60-day moneyback guarantee, 5-year warranty, and free lifetime aftercare. The company differentiates through below-market pricing, independent advice, and home visit availability.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Oticon Hearing Aids Premium digital hearing aids from Oticon (featuring BrainHearing technology and the Sirius platform), available across multiple performance tiers including the Intent 1-4 and Zeal models for private and NHS hearing aid customers in the UK.
• Phonak Hearing Aids Phonak hearing solutions including the Infinio Ultra series with AutoSense OS 7.0 and Spheric Speech Clarity 2.0 technology, supplied to private and NHS hearing aid customers.
• ReSound Hearing Aids ReSound hearing aids including the Vivia series featuring deep learning neural network technology (trained on 500+ real-life sound environments) and microRIE form factor, supplied to hearing aid customers in the UK.
• Starkey Hearing Aids Starkey hearing solutions including the Omega AI series with Neuro Sound Technology 2.0, wellness tracking, and AI-powered sound processing for hearing aid customers.
• Widex Hearing Aids Widex hearing aids including the Allure series powered by the W1 chip with PureSound processing for natural, low-distortion sound, supplied to hearing aid customers.
• Signia Hearing Aids Signia hearing aids including advanced models featuring Integrated Xperience (IX) technology, supplied to hearing aid customers in the UK.
• Rexton Hearing Aids Rexton Reach series hearing aids featuring Multi-Voice Focus and Signia Integrated Xperience (IX) processing for following multiple speakers, sold to hearing aid customers in the UK.
• Bernafon Hearing Aids Bernafon hearing aid brand distributed by Audiological Science for private and NHS hearing aid customers.
• Unitron Hearing Aids Unitron hearing aid brand distributed by Audiological Science for private and NHS hearing aid customers.
• Hearing Assessments Free hearing tests and comprehensive hearing assessments conducted by qualified HCPC-registered audiologists across clinics and home visits for private and NHS patients.
• Ear Wax Removal Professional ear wax removal service using micro-suction, irrigation/syringing, and dry tool extraction methods, offered to private patients and NHS-referred patients across multiple UK regions.
• Hearing Aid Fitting Professional hearing aid fitting service using verification techniques, with same-day fitting capability, for private and NHS patients across the UK.
• Home Visit Service Free home visits by an audiologist within catchment areas for assessments and hearing aid fittings for patients unable to visit clinics.
• Free Lifetime Aftercare Free lifetime aftercare package bundled with every hearing aid purchase, including regular check-ups, firmware updates, annual hearing health reviews, and remote care options.
• NHS Audiology Services NHS-funded hearing assessments, hearing aid provision, ear wax removal, and hearing aid maintenance delivered under contract across twelve NHS regions in England (Barnet, Black Country, Derbyshire, Devon, Lincolnshire, Norfolk, Oxon Bucks, South London Boroughs, Waltham Forest, West England, Worcester & Hereford, and North West London).
• Interest Free Finance Interest-free credit payment plan (provided via Mitsubishi HC Capital UK PLC) for hearing aid purchases, reducing upfront cost barriers for self-pay customers.

Quantifiable outcome

• 5-star rating from Which? Survey 2021 - the only hearing aid providers to receive 5 stars for product range, hearing aid appearance and aftercare
• +1 more outcomes

Named customers1 record

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles2 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability6 records

Feature4 records

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Specsavers Hearcare: UK's largest high-street optical and hearing care retailer. Direct competitor — operates a similar clinic-based model selling multi-brand hearing aids to private patients with NHS service contracts.
• Boots Hearingcare: National UK hearing care retailer owned by Boots. Competes directly on price, multi-brand portfolio, and high-street clinic footprint, with similar NHS audiology service offerings.
• Hidden Hearing: One of the UK's largest private hearing care providers with a national clinic network. Direct competitor in private hearing aid dispensing and audiology services.
• Amplifon UK: UK arm of global hearing care retail leader Amplifon. Operates an extensive UK clinic network offering multi-brand hearing aids and audiology services to private and NHS patients.
• Scrivens Opticians & Hearing Care: UK optical and hearing care chain with a national branch network. Competes in the same retail audiology segment, offering hearing tests, hearing aids, and aftercare services.
• The Hearing Care Partnership: UK hearing care provider partnered with optical practices, offering private hearing services. Direct competitor in the private audiology services market.

Broad incumbents

• Sonova: Global hearing aid manufacturer (Phonak, Unitron) and owner of retail chains (e.g., Boots Hearingcare historically). Audiological Science retails Sonova's Phonak and Unitron brands, making it both a customer and a potential vertical-integration threat.
• Demant: Owner of Oticon, Bernafon, Sonic, and Philips Hearing Aids. Manufacturer of brands retailed by Audiological Science; represents both a supply relationship and a competitive vertical-integration risk.
• GN Hearing (ReSound): Manufacturer of ReSound and Beltone hearing aids. Audiological Science is a retail partner; GN's growing DTC and retail strategy could create channel conflict over time.
• WS Audiology: Owner of Widex and Signia hearing aid brands. Manufacturer partner of Audiological Science; consolidator of hearing retail globally, representing competitive and supply-side risk.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat6 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights7 records

Customer concentration

• YouTubeyoutube.com/channel/UCdUC0WwlWAZPJrXTMoB5iCg
• Facebookfacebook.com/AudiologicalScience
• Instagraminstagram.com/audiological_science/#
• Xx.com/audiologicalsci
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/audiological-science-ltd

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles2 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds1 record

Investors1 record

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about Audiological Science