Hearing Device Research Centre
Did you know the NHS spends approximately £80 million a year on hearing aids alone?
The NHS buys one million hearing aids every year.
Hearing devices (which include hearing aids) are the primary treatment for hearing loss.
Manchester BRC has established the UK’s only Hearing Device Research Centre (HDRC) to drive innovation in interventions for hearing loss and to accelerate the translation of new hearing technologies into the NHS.
Who are we?
- The HDRC is the hub for the Manchester NIHR BRC Hearing Health theme’s links with industry and the NHS.
- We are internationally recognised for our industry-related research on hearing devices and their use.
- We work with the NHS Supply Chain and the Audiology Supplies Group (ASG) of the British Academy of Audiology (BAA) to evaluate functionality and usability of NHS hearing devices.
- Our researchers are world-renowned for their hypothesis-driven hearing research.
What do we do?
The HDRC initiates collaborations between hearing-related industry partners and Manchester BRC Hearing Health theme researchers.
We conduct industry-related hearing research and evaluate the functionality and usability of NHS hearing devices.
We disseminate research findings widely through national and international channels including conferences, peer-reviewed journals and press releases.
Watch our Manchester BRC animation for industry
To find out about our ongoing projects, visit the Manchester Centre for Audiology and Deafness (ManCAD) website.
Our expertise
Through our partnerships and collaborations with the University of Manchester, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, professional bodies and charities, the HDRC offers industry access to world-renowned researchers whose extensive portfolio includes:
- audiology
- health informatics
- hearing science
- implants
- acoustics
- health psychology
- auditory perception
- cognition
- signal processing
Our facilities and support
- State-of-the-art paediatric and adult audiology booths
- 24-channel loudspeaker ring
- Clinical support and expertise of NIHR Manchester Clinical Research Facility
- Research volunteer database
- Experienced research audiologists
- Support from Patient and Public Involvement experts at Vocal
Interested in collaborating with us?
Our world-leading researchers can work with you to develop experimental protocols purpose-designed to quantify the benefits of new technology.
Contact our Research Programme Manager Cath Wright.
Email: cath.wright@manchester.ac.uk
Tel: 0161 275 3440