About us
At Hearing Dogs for Deaf People, we believe that no one should feel isolated because of deafness.
Hearing loss affects over 18 million people in the UK and around 1.5 billion people worldwide. By 2050, that number is expected to rise to 2.5 billion people globally, with more than 700 million requiring hearing rehabilitation. We are the largest organisation in the world dedicated to training hearing dogs for deaf people, supporting almost half of the 2,203 active hearing dog partnerships worldwide reported in the Assistance Dogs International (ADI) 2025 census.
Hearing Dogs for Deaf People exists to transform the lives of people who are deaf or have hearing loss by rebuilding connection, companionship and confidence.
We do this by addressing not just the practical challenges of hearing loss, but the emotional and social impact that so often goes unseen. Our work recognises a simple truth: hearing loss affects far more than hearing. It affects how people feel about themselves, how safe they feel in the world, and whether they believe they still belong.
We have developed a unique model of support that places people, not just interventions, at the centre. Through highly trained hearing dogs, peer-led services, long-term partnership support and evidence-led innovation, we enable people to reconnect with the world around them.
Hearing dogs are trained to alert their partners to important sounds and restore safety at home, at work and in public spaces. Sound support dogs provide reassurance within the home, while companion dogs offer emotional support and routine for people adjusting to hearing loss. Our dogs are trained in homes and communities across the UK by an extraordinary network of volunteer puppy trainers, guided and supported by specialist staff.
Independent research by the University of York demonstrates that hearing dog partnerships significantly improve mental wellbeing, reduce anxiety and depression, increase independence, and decrease reliance on statutory health and social care services. In just six months, recipients of a hearing dog were four times more likely to report high mental wellbeing compared to those still waiting for support.
By supporting Hearing Dogs through your business, you're helping us continue this vital work and provide more deaf people with the companionship, confidence, and practical support they need to thrive.
Together, we can create a world where deaf people feel connected, included, and empowered.
