What Blackberry Hearing does

Blackberry Hearing is Ireland's largest Irish-owned hearing aid retailer, operating 60+ clinics nationwide alongside a 40-employee head office based in Naas, Co. Kildare. Founded in 2015, the company retails prescription hearing aids from four global manufacturers — Widex, Unitron, Signia, and (as of 2025) Philips HearLink — at price points between €1,998 and €4,500 per pair. Service delivery is omnichannel: in-clinic fittings, in-store Tesco locations (5 sites), home visits, nursing-home and corporate wellness outreach, and remote aftercare, all backed by free lifetime servicing and a four-year warranty.

The business model is direct-to-consumer retail monetized through device sale plus attached ancillary services; lead generation combines walk-in footfall, the Letsbuyhealthcare online booking platform, and PRSI state grant assistance that reduces customer out-of-pocket cost. AI/ML features (Widex MySound AI, Speech Enhancer Pro, PureSound) are licensed through manufacturer partnerships rather than developed in-house. Co-founders John Ryan and Dave Gleeson lead the business alongside Managing Director Matt Gleeson.

The company is privately held and self-funded, with no disclosed external capital. Growth has been executed organically through clinic openings and supplemented in 2025 by the acquisition of Access Hearing in Dun Laoghaire. The competitive position rests on Irish domestic distribution density rather than proprietary technology, leaving Blackberry Hearing exposed to both manufacturer concentration risk and competitive entry from international chains.

Name

Blackberry Hearing

Legal name

Blackberry Hearing

Website

https://blackberryhearing.com

Company type

Private

Founded year

2015

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

Blackberry Hearing is Ireland's largest Irish-owned hearing aid retailer, operating 60+ clinics nationwide plus 5 Tesco in-store locations, selling Widex, Unitron, Signia, and Philips devices to private consumers and PRSI grant recipients across the Republic of Ireland.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hearing Healthcare Services

NAICS

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

SIC

Surgical & Medical Instruments & Apparatus (3841)

akta.pro primary industry

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

akta.pro secondary industries

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

Keywords

• Hearing aids
• Audiology services
• Hearing healthcare
• Hearing tests
• Ear wax removal

Headquarters

HQ city

Naas

HQ country

Ireland

HQ region

Europe

Offices9 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

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

Revenue model

1. Hearing Aid Sales: Sale of hearing aids from entry-level to premium models, with prices ranging from €1,998 to €4,500 after PRSI grant
2. Accessories Sales: Sale of hearing aid accessories including batteries, wax guards, TV connectors, remote controls, and cleaning devices ranging from €10 to €395
3. Audiology Services: Hearing tests, fittings, follow-up appointments, and aftercare services

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion3 records

Distribution channels5 records

Marketing channels5 records

Core offering

Blackberry Hearing retails digital hearing aids and accessories sourced from Widex, Unitron, Signia, and Philips through a national chain of audiology clinics and Tesco retail-within-store locations across Ireland. Its clinics deliver paid audiology services — hearing tests, fittings, ear wax removal, tinnitus support, paediatric testing, home visits, and remote-care tuning — bundled with the hearing aid purchase. Customers can also buy consumables (batteries, wax guards, cleaning products) via an online shop, and access government PRSI grant and tax-relief processing support.

Product overview

Blackberry Hearing is Ireland's largest Irish-owned hearing aid provider offering a comprehensive portfolio of hearing solutions and audiology services. The product range includes Widex hearing aids (Moment 440 Sheer, Moment 330, Allure AI 440, Allure 440, SmartRIC 440), Unitron hearing aids (Blu, Smile Moxi), Signia devices, and upcoming PHILIPS HearLink aids. These are complemented by Widex and Unitron accessories including TV streamers (WIDEX TV PLAY, Widex TV-DEX, Unitron TV Connector), communication devices (Widex COM-DEX, Sound Assist, Sound Connect, Phone DEX2), remote controls (RC-DEX), and hearing aid care products (PerfectDry Lux, wax guards, batteries). Services include free hearing tests, ear wax removal, free home visits, tinnitus support, paediatric testing, PRSI grant assistance (up to €1,000), tax relief, and remote care tuning. The company operates over 60 clinics nationwide including stores in Tesco locations.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Widex Moment 440 Sheer Premium rechargeable receiver-in-canal hearing aid with AI-powered MySound personalisation, PureSound zero-delay processing, Made-for-iPhone and Android Bluetooth streaming, and up to 15 processing channels for natural sound delivery. Priced at €3,798 per pair after PRSI grant.
• Widex Allure AI 440 AI-powered Widex hearing aid with 11 unique listening environments, 52-band Speech Enhancer Pro, Adaptive Feedback Control, up to 25 hours of battery life, and Bluetooth streaming from Apple Watch and mobile devices for adults with mild to severe hearing loss.
• Widex Allure 440 Standard Widex Allure hearing aid model with AI personalisation, clear-speech processing, natural-sound delivery, and Bluetooth connectivity for adults needing premium-level hearing correction.
• Widex Allure 330 CIC Invisible in-the-canal hearing aid with custom mould design, TruSound softener, 12 processing channels, and TONELINK app compatibility, targeted at adults wanting a discreet Widex solution.
• Widex Moment 330 Rechargeable hearing aid with award-winning PureSound and zero-delay technology, tinnitus masking, and Made-for-iPhone streaming, priced at €2,998 per pair after PRSI grant for adults with mild to moderate hearing loss.
• Widex SmartRIC 440 Advanced rechargeable Widex hearing aid with L-shaped design, 37-hour battery life, AI-assisted MySound personalisation, SmartWind Manager wind-noise reduction, TruAcoustics software, and a portable galvanic charging case, priced at €4,500 per pair after PRSI grant.
• Signia BCT IX 5 Signia hearing aid model with Bluetooth connectivity, offered within Blackberry Hearing's tiered hearing aid portfolio for adult customers.
• Unitron Smile Moxi S-R9 Unitron rechargeable hearing aid with app-based connectivity and Bluetooth control, part of the Unitron Smile line available to Irish consumers via Blackberry Hearing clinics.
• Unitron Blu Unitron hearing aid with full Bluetooth connectivity for both Android and Apple devices, offering multiple programming channels for different listening environments and available via Blackberry Hearing clinics.
• PHILIPS HearLink hearing aids PHILIPS HearLink digital hearing aids launched at Blackberry Hearing's Tesco locations, featuring AI-powered sound technology, smartphone connectivity, and rechargeable options for enhanced speech clarity in noisy environments.
• Free Hearing Tests Comprehensive hearing assessments including pure-tone audiometry, visual ear examination, and consultation with a BSc/MSc/FdSc-qualified audiologist, offered free of charge across Blackberry Hearing's 60+ Irish clinics.
• Ear Wax Removal Professional ear wax removal service performed by qualified audiologists at Blackberry Hearing's audiology clinics across Ireland.
• Free Home Visits Free home-visit service in which qualified Blackberry Hearing audiologists travel to the customer's home to deliver hearing consultations and testing, designed for customers unable to attend a clinic in person.
• Tinnitus Support & Specialist Care Specialist tinnitus care and management programme for adult patients, including Widex SoundRelax sound-therapy technology embedded in compatible hearing aids and audiologist-led follow-up.
• Paediatric Hearing Tests Children's hearing assessment service delivered by qualified Blackberry Hearing audiologists using age-appropriate audiology technology, aimed at early identification of paediatric hearing loss.
• Remote Care tuning Remote tuning and adjustment service in which audiologists fine-tune hearing aids remotely via a smartphone app and the WIDEX REMOTE LINK device, allowing customers to receive aftercare without an in-clinic visit.
• PRSI Hearing Aid Grant processing End-to-end assistance with the Irish PRSI Hearing Aid Grant, allowing eligible customers to claim up to €1,000 off hearing aids (renewable every 4 years) at Blackberry Hearing clinics.
• Hearing Aid Tax Relief processing Assistance with the Irish 20% medical-expense tax-relief claim on hearing aid purchases, helping customers complete and submit the necessary paperwork.
• WIDEX TV PLAY streaming accessory TV streaming accessory for Widex hearing aids that delivers direct stereo TV audio with patent-pending dual-antenna technology for maximum streaming stability, sold via Blackberry Hearing's online shop and clinics.
• Widex Sound Assist multifunctional accessory Multifunctional Widex wireless accessory that operates as a table microphone, partner microphone, hands-free phone device, Bluetooth streamer, remote control, and telecoil mode for Widex MOMENT hearing aid users.
• Widex Sound Connect USB streaming device USB plug-and-play streaming accessory for Widex Moment and Magnify hearing aids that delivers stereo audio directly from PCs and laptops, sold via Blackberry Hearing's online shop.
• Widex COM-DEX Bluetooth streamer Hands-free Bluetooth streamer that delivers smartphone audio to Widex hearing aids, with companion app control, approximately 8 hours streaming time, and Apple Watch compatibility for discreet volume and programme control.
• Widex TV-DEX wireless TV streamer Wireless TV and audio streaming device that streams real-time high-quality stereo sound to Widex hearing aids, with a Room Off feature to disable the hearing-aid microphone and around 10 hours of streaming capacity per charge.
• Widex RC-DEX remote control Compact remote control for Widex hearing aids allowing discreet volume and programme adjustment, with key-chain attachment and approximately 12 months of battery life, sold by Blackberry Hearing.
• Widex Phone DEX2 cordless phone Cordless landline phone for Widex hearing aid users that streams crystal-clear sound directly to the hearing aids, featuring an integrated answering machine, 50-metre wireless range, and 150-contact phonebook.
• Widex PerfectDry Lux UV-C hearing aid dryer Electronic hearing aid dryer using UV-C light that cleans and disinfects hearing aids in 45 minutes, killing 99.9% of germs, bacteria, and fungi for improved ear hygiene, sold via Blackberry Hearing's online shop.
• Unitron TV Connector streaming accessory Streaming accessory for Unitron hearing aids that delivers TV and audio over a 15-metre range from any audio source using plug-in, pair, and play functionality, sold via Blackberry Hearing's online shop.
• Unitron PartnerMic clip-on microphone Discreet clip-on microphone accessory for Unitron hearing aids that streams one-on-one conversation audio directly to the hearing aids via AirStream technology with up to 25 metres of range.
• Hearing Aid Batteries (Rayovac Extra Advanced) Rayovac Extra Advanced hearing aid batteries in Size 312 (brown tab) and Size P10 (yellow tab) 60-cell packs, available via Blackberry Hearing's online shop at €35 per pack.
• Hearing Aid Wax Guards Replacement wax guards compatible with Widex and Unitron hearing aids, designed to protect devices from earwax buildup and maintain optimal hearing aid performance, available via Blackberry Hearing's online shop at €39.
• Earol Olive Oil Spray Earol olive oil ear-wax softening spray with a unique delivery system for discrete unit dosing into the outer ear, sold via Blackberry Hearing's online shop to support pre-wax-removal preparation.

Named customers5 records

Segments4 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration8 records

AI capability11 records

Feature4 records

Partnerships

Six partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• WidexcoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for hearing aids. Widex provides advanced hearing technology including AI-powered personalisation (MySound), PureSound zero-delay processing, and Bluetooth connectivity. Blackberry Hearing is a Widex Approved Practice.
• UnitroncoreTechnology or IntegrationTechnology partnership for hearing aids including the Unitron Blu, Vivante and Smile models with Bluetooth connectivity and app integration.
• TescocoreChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorRetail partnership with 5 stores located in Tesco supermarkets. Tesco Clubcard holders receive 3x savings on hearing devices. Partnership provides significant retail footprint and customer acquisition channel.
• Special Olympics IrelandminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerCharitable partnership supporting Special Olympics Ireland athletes with hearing care services.
• LetsbuyhealthcareminorChannel Partner/ Reseller/ DistributorIrish healthcare platform partnership allowing patients to browse services, compare options, and book appointments online.
• Access HearingcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerAcquired Access Hearing in Dun Laoghaire, marking expansion milestone. Joseph and Rita Ronan (30+ years audiology experience) joined the Blackberry Hearing team.

Scale indicators6 records

Recent moves7 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• Hidden Hearing: One of Ireland's largest dedicated hearing aid retailers, operating a multi-clinic network selling hearing aids from major manufacturers (Phonak, Widex, Oticon, Signia). Directly comparable to Blackberry Hearing as a national DTC audiology retailer with overlapping customer base, product range, and aftercare service model.
• Specsavers Hearcare: International optical and hearing care retail chain with Irish operations, offering hearing tests and hearing aids alongside optometry services. Comparable as a multi-channel hearing aid retailer leveraging high-street footfall and bundled optical/hearing offerings, competing for the same adult hearing-loss segment.
• Boots Hearing Care: UK and Ireland pharmacy-chain-affiliated hearing aid retailer operating in-store consultation and fitting services across multiple locations. Directly comparable multi-site retail audiology model with similar product brands, target demographic, and free hearing test lead generation strategy.
• Connect Hearing: Irish hearing care provider offering hearing tests, hearing aids, and audiology services through multiple clinic locations. Directly comparable as a national Irish audiology retailer competing for the same customer segments with similar service-and-device offerings.
• Chime (formerly National Association for Deaf People hearing services): Irish audiology and hearing services provider serving children and adults across multiple locations, including charity-affiliated services. Comparable as an Ireland-based audiology provider with overlapping paediatric and adult hearing services, though with a stronger non-profit/community service orientation.

Broad incumbents

• Amplifon: Global hearing healthcare retailer headquartered in Italy with Irish operations, operating thousands of clinics worldwide. Comparable as a multi-country hearing aid retail chain serving similar demographics, though significantly larger and more diversified than Blackberry Hearing's Irish-only footprint.
• Sonova: Swiss-listed global hearing healthcare group owning Phonak, Unitron, and Sennheiser hearing brands. Comparable as a key upstream supplier (Unitron partner) and as a vertically integrated industry incumbent whose retail network and brand portfolio shape the competitive landscape Blackberry Hearing operates in.
• Demant: Danish-listed global hearing healthcare group owning Oticon, Bernafon, and the PHILIPS Hearing brand partnership that Blackberry Hearing is launching in Tesco stores. Comparable as both a supplier and a vertically integrated industry incumbent with retail clinic operations in multiple geographies.
• GN Hearing (ReSound / Beltone): Danish-listed global hearing aid manufacturer and retailer owning the ReSound, Beltone, and Jabra Enhance brands. Comparable as a major hearing industry incumbent whose product portfolio and clinic ownership models compete for the same consumer demand that Blackberry Hearing serves.

Others

• WS Audiology (Widex + Sivantos): Global hearing aid manufacturer formed by the merger of Widex and Sivantos, owner of the Widex and Signia brands that form the backbone of Blackberry Hearing's product catalogue. Relevant as a critical supplier partner whose brand strategy, pricing, and warranty policies directly impact Blackberry Hearing's economics.

Market position

Strengths5 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks3 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/blckbrryhearing
• Facebookfacebook.com/blackberryhearing
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/blackberry-hearing

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles10 records

Subsidiaries1 record

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

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 Blackberry Hearing