What Action on Hearing Loss does

RNID (legal name: Royal National Institute for Deaf People; trading name formerly Action on Hearing Loss) is the UK's national charity supporting more than 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or tinnitus. Founded in 1911 and headquartered in Peterborough, the organisation operates UK-wide through registered charity status in England and Wales (207720) and Scotland (SC038926), delivering free information and support services, local RNID Near You community sessions, a 3-minute online hearing check, and a free tinnitus guide.

Its core 'products' are services rather than software: a portfolio that includes CPD-accredited deaf awareness e-learning and BSL training courses (delivered via Signature-accredited enterprise packages and SCORM LMS files), a joint e-commerce shop with assistive technology retailer Connevans (10% donation per purchase), a biomedical research programme funding tinnitus and hearing restoration studies at institutions including Newcastle University, and policy advocacy targeting NICE, NHS England, ICBs, and the APPG on Deafness. Underlying technology is limited to the audio-processing online hearing check and standard content/LMS distribution infrastructure.

The business model blends charitable revenue streams — public donations, a weekly Superdraw lottery, fundraising events (TCS London Marathon, challenge events), and government/research grants — with commercial B2B income from enterprise deaf-awareness and BSL training delivered to employers such as HSBC UK and BT. Customer segments span individual beneficiaries (deaf and hearing-loss community), employers, healthcare professionals, government/policymakers, and supporters/volunteers, with a community-led go-to-market executed through local sessions, storytelling, research panel recruitment, and earned-media campaigns such as 'Stop the Block' and 'It Does Matter'. Leadership is Harriet Oppenheimer (Chief Executive), with Crystal Rolfe as Director for Strategy and Ralph Holme as Director of Research.

Name

Action on Hearing Loss

Legal name

Royal National Institute for Deaf People

Website

https://actiononhearingloss.org.uk

Company type

Private

Founded year

1911

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

1,001–5,000 employees

Short description

RNID (Royal National Institute for Deaf People) is the UK's national charity supporting more than 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss, or tinnitus, delivering free information, community sessions, employer training, biomedical research, and NHS policy advocacy.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Hearing health charity and disability support services

NAICS

Individual and Family Services (6241), Scientific Research and Development Services (5417)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Assistive Hearing & Communication Access (Captioning, Hearing Support, Transcription) (EDAFAKAC)

Keywords

• Hearing loss support
• Deaf awareness training
• Tinnitus information services
• Cochlear implant advocacy
• Biomedical hearing research

Headquarters

HQ city

Peterborough

HQ country

United Kingdom

HQ region

Europe

Offices1 record

Markets served

GTM type

B2B and B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Others

Revenue model

1. Donations and charitable giving: RNID relies on public donations as a core revenue stream. The website features a prominent donate CTA, with example that £30 could help cover the cost of a phone call from someone who needs support.
2. Lottery (Superdraw): RNID operates a weekly Superdraw lottery as a fundraising mechanism, with proceeds supporting the charity's work.
3. Fundraising events: Team RNID participates in TCS London Marathon and other challenge events (running, cycling, skydiving, etc.) to raise funds. The 2026 TCS London Marathon saw 25 runners raise £70,000.
4. Corporate training and consultancy services: RNID offers paid deaf awareness e-learning (CPD accredited, award winning) and BSL training to employers. Partnerships such as with HSBC UK generate revenue through training delivery. The organisation also offers consultancy to businesses on accessibility and inclusivity.
5. E-commerce (Connevans partnership): RNID partners with Connevans for a joint online shop selling assistive technology products for deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus. Every purchase generates a 10% donation to RNID.
6. Research grants and government funding: RNID receives government funding (e.g., NIHR Early Career Researcher Support Fund) and collaborates with funding bodies (Masonic Charitable Foundation, Wellcome, NIHR, Academy of Medical Sciences) to fund biomedical hearing research.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels6 records

Marketing channels11 records

Core offering

Action on Hearing Loss (trading as RNID) is the UK national charity supporting more than 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. It delivers free information and self-help resources (online hearing check, tinnitus guide), CPD-accredited deaf awareness and British Sign Language e-learning for employers, in-person RNID Near You community sessions, biomedical hearing research funding, policy advocacy and an assistive-technology online shop via its Connevans partnership.

Product overview

RNID (Action on Hearing Loss) is the national UK charity supporting over 18 million people who are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. Rather than a single unified product, the organization offers a portfolio of services including free online hearing checks, CPD-accredited deaf awareness and BSL training courses for employers, local support services through RNID Near You, a joint online shop with Connevans for assistive technology, free downloadable tinnitus support guides, and a biomedical research programme funding treatments for hearing loss and tinnitus. The core offering centers on information provision, advocacy, community support, and employer training rather than a traditional software product.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Products and services

• Online Hearing Check A free 3-minute online hearing check for adults aged 18+ who have not been diagnosed with hearing loss. It measures how well users can hear speech in background noise and signposts next steps to RNID support.
• Deaf Awareness Training CPD-accredited e-learning course (also described as award winning) delivered in partnership with Signature, the awarding body for British Sign Language qualifications. It teaches staff how to communicate with colleagues and customers who are deaf or have hearing loss or tinnitus.
• British Sign Language (BSL) Training Accredited BSL for Beginners e-learning course developed by Signature, enabling employees to learn useful BSL words and phrases. Available as a company package for delivery via LMS (SCORM files), as deployed at HSBC UK for 23,000 employees.
• Free Tinnitus Guide Free downloadable guide providing practical tools for living with tinnitus, including relaxation techniques and signposting to RNID support options.
• RNID Near You Local in-person community support sessions across the UK offering hearing aid maintenance, hearing checks and information, delivered by RNID volunteers and staff.
• RNID and Connevans Online Shop Joint online shop with Connevans Limited selling assistive technology products for deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus. Every purchase generates a 10% donation to support RNID's work.
• Workplace Inclusion Resources Free resources and tools to help employers make workplaces inclusive for colleagues who are deaf or have hearing loss.
• Biomedical Research Programme RNID's research grants programme funding projects focused on preventing hearing loss, restoring hearing, and silencing tinnitus to develop new treatments, delivered with academic and funding-body partners.
• RNID Superdraw Weekly Lottery Weekly Superdraw lottery promoted on the RNID website as a way for supporters to contribute, with proceeds supporting the charity's work.

Quantifiable outcome

• 1 in 3 adults in the UK affected by deafness, hearing loss or tinnitus (18 million+ people)
• +10 more outcomes

Named customers6 records

Segments5 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

AI capability1 record

Partnerships

Ten partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Hear for Norfolk (Norfolk Deaf Association)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 June 2026RNID partnered with Hear for Norfolk (operating name of Norfolk Deaf Association) to host a mobile hearing health clinic event at Parliament in Westminster on 30 June 2026. MPs visited the mobile clinic to try ear and hearing health checks including video ear examinations, hearing checks, and ear wax removal. The event highlighted barriers to accessing vital audiology and ear wax removal services and was co-sponsored by Peter Prinsley MP (APPG on Deafness Chair) and Alison Griffiths MP (Vice Chair).
• HSBC UKcoreGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 April 2026RNID partnered with HSBC UK to become the first UK bank to offer British Sign Language (BSL) for Beginners accredited e-learning training to all 23,000 employees. The course, developed by Signature (awarding body for BSL qualifications), enables employees to learn useful BSL words and phrases. Following the launch of 'Understanding Hearing Loss' e-learning in 2024, this BSL training represents HSBC UK's commitment to creating a more inclusive and accessible banking environment for deaf customers and colleagues.
• Contacta Systems Ltd.minorGTM or Marketing Partner · 1 January 2024Contacta Systems Ltd. is a partner of RNID. Katie Thomas from Contacta ran the Brighton Half Marathon for RNID, raising funds and awareness for hearing loss. Contacta supports RNID's work through fundraising challenges.
• BTcoreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024RNID has a three-year partnership with BT to shape the Digital Voice switchover, working together to ensure accessibility for people with hearing loss during the transition from analogue to digital phone services. RNID provides expert advice, training, and online resources to BT.
• Cystic Fibrosis TrustminorStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2024RNID partnered with the Cystic Fibrosis Trust on research to find ways to prevent or reduce hearing loss caused by a class of antibiotics (aminoglycosides) commonly used to treat cystic fibrosis patients. Some antibiotics can save lives but can also damage hearing.
• ConnevanscoreGTM or Marketing PartnerRNID has a joint online shop with Connevans (rnidconnevans.co.uk) selling assistive technology products for deaf people and those with hearing loss or tinnitus. Every purchase generates a 10% donation to support RNID's work. Connevans is also featured on the RNID website where Managing Director David Evans shares his personal hearing loss journey.
• Newcastle University (Dr Will Sedley and research team)coreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRNID co-funds tinnitus research at Newcastle University led by Dr Will Sedley (consultant neurologist) and Dr Ekaterina Yukhnovich (postdoctoral research associate). Research projects include investigating changes in the brain linked to tinnitus and developing an objective test for tinnitus using EEG. This research is part of RNID's biomedical hearing research programme.
• Signature (Awarding Body for British Sign Language)coreTechnology or IntegrationRNID works in partnership with Signature, the awarding body for British Sign Language qualifications, to deliver its deaf awareness e-learning course and BSL for Beginners training. Signature accredits the courses, ensuring they meet professional qualification standards.
• All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on DeafnesscoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerRNID works closely with the APPG on Deafness at Westminster. Peter Prinsley MP is Chair and Alison Griffiths MP is Vice Chair. The APPG co-sponsored RNID's parliamentary hearing health event and supports RNID's campaign to restart waiting time tracking for audiology services in England.
• Skydive LangarminorGTM or Marketing PartnerSkydive Langar changed its rules to allow deaf skydiver Ian Rayner to jump without a radio, using coloured cards instead. The club also runs weekly BSL courses for skydivers and staff, supported by RNID's 'It Does Matter' campaign.

Scale indicators11 records

Recent moves6 records

Expansion highlights5 records

Direct peers

• Royal Association for Deaf People (RAD): UK charity providing services to the deaf community including advocacy, communication support, and BSL services. Comparable to RNID in community service delivery and BSL training, though smaller in scale.
• Hearing Dogs for Deaf People: UK charity training hearing dogs for deaf people. Direct peer in the UK hearing-loss charity space, with overlapping donor base, fundraising events (marathons, lotteries), and corporate partnerships.
• Sense (UK disability charity): Large UK charity supporting people with complex disabilities including deafblindness. Comparable to RNID in scale, multi-disability scope, fundraising model, and information/service delivery, though it spans a wider disability brief.
• SignHealth: UK deaf health charity focused on healthcare access for deaf people. Direct peer in the deaf-health information and advocacy space, with a similar NHS-engagement and research-publication model to RNID's policy work.
• National Deaf Children's Society (NDCS): UK charity for deaf children and young people. Closely related to RNID along the hearing-loss/deafness continuum with similar fundraising, policy influence, and information-provision models, but focused on the under-25 segment.
• British Deaf Association: UK deaf-led organisation representing the deaf community, particularly BSL users. Comparable to RNID in mission scope (deaf advocacy, BSL promotion) and policy influencing activity, with overlap on deaf awareness and community engagement.
• Hearing Link: UK charity providing information, advice, and rehabilitation support for people with hearing loss. Direct peer in the hearing-loss information and community-support niche, with overlapping services to RNID Near You.
• Tinnitus UK: UK charity dedicated to tinnitus support, advice, and research. Directly comparable to RNID in beneficiary focus (tinnitus) and research funding model — Tinnitus UK is already a co-funder of RNID-supported PhD studentships at Newcastle University.

Others

• RNLI (Royal National Lifeboat Institution): Large UK charity of comparable scale, longevity, and national brand presence. RNLI provides a useful operating model comparison for a UK-wide volunteer-and-donation-funded charity with regional service delivery.

Regional players

• Deafblind UK: UK charity supporting people with deafblindness, including combined hearing and vision loss. Operates in an adjacent sub-niche to RNID, with comparable UK-only geographic focus and similar volunteer-led service delivery.

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses4 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks5 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/ActionOnHearing
• Facebookfacebook.com/actiononhearingloss
• LinkedInlinkedin.com/company/action-on-hearing-loss

Compliance1 record

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

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 Action on Hearing Loss