Auditory Healthcare Challenge opens call for innovations

Posted on by DigitalHealth.London

Sensory Health is the initial focus of DigitalHealth.London Healthcare Challenges, a new programme delivered by DigitalHealth.London and the Health Innovation Network South London that brings together clinicians, other health system stakeholders, innovators and people with lived experience to identify and accelerate solutions to priority health issues. The programme helps the NHS explore new ideas, address gaps in care and support the adoption of effective technologies. 

In collaboration with NHS England (London), we are now seeking expressions of interest from companies with solutions that could help address five identified priorities in auditory health across the life course, from early years through to older adults.  

Selected innovators will have the unique opportunity to present and demonstrate their solutions live at a tailored event on Friday 30 January 2026.

Innovations will be presented to NHS leaders, clinicians and decision-makers, with the opportunity to gain invaluable feedback and build relationships that could lead to future pilots and real-world adoption. 

Five priorities for auditory health

We are now seeking expressions of interest from companies with solutions that could help address one or more of these priority challenges for auditory health:

  1. Improve access to auditory health services and reduce waiting times 
  1. Modernise diagnostics and assessment, particularly for underserved populations 
  1. Enable more care to be delivered in community and non-traditional settings 
  1. Support remote monitoring, follow-up, and patient empowerment 
  1. Reduce unwarranted variation and health inequalities across London 

Auditory healthcare challenge criteria

  • Innovations that address one or more of the five priorities for auditory health. Technologies may include diagnostics and triage, remote monitoring, testing real-world outcomes and educational tools. 
  • Innovations may be at different stages of maturity, from early pilots to those ready for wider deployment, provided there is a clear pathway to evaluation and adoption. 
  • A representative from the company must be available to attend an in-person Healthcare Challenges event in London on Friday 30 January 2026. 

Companies shortlisted through the EOI process will be invited to take part in an in-person market engagement event on 30 January 2026 in London. The event will bring together experts in auditory health (NHS, academia and charity) and selected innovations to: 

  • Explore alignment between the five identified priorities for auditory health and selected innovations  
  • Share demonstrations and use cases of innovations 
  • Discuss potential pilot opportunities in real-world NHS and community settings 
  • Build relationships with commissioners, pathway leaders, and delivery partners 

Participation in the event does not guarantee a pilot but will inform the next phase of the Sensory Health Healthcare Challenge.

Expressions of interest will be reviewed based on: 

  • Alignment with the five priorities for auditory health 
  • Relevance to NHS sensory health pathways in London and the populations they serve 
  • Potential impact on auditory health access, outcomes and equity 
  • Readiness of innovation to engage in proof-of-concept projects, pilot activities and evaluation 
  • Ability to work collaboratively with NHS stakeholders in London 

This expression of interest period is open from Friday 19 December 2025 to 9:00am on Monday 12 January 2026.

Shortlisting will take place on Monday 19 January 2026 and candidates will be notified via email if they have been selected.

Selected companies invited to the in-person Healthcare Challenges event in London on Friday 30 January 2026. Further details on the event format and next phases will be shared with shortlisted applicants. 

Submit your expression of interest

If you have a solution that could help transform auditory health across London, we encourage you to submit an expression of interest by completing the form by 9:00am on Monday 12 January 2026.

Click to complete the form

DigitalHealth.London Healthcare Challenges is funded by the UK Government via the UK Shared Prosperity Fund (UKSPF). It is delivered by the Health Innovation Network (HIN) South London in partnership with the Office of Life Sciences, CW+, NHS England and the Mayor of London.

For more information, please visit https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/uk-
shared-prosperity-fund-prospectus.

Funded by UK Government. DigitalHealth.London. Health Innovation Network South London. CW+. NHS. Office for Life Sciences. Supported by the Mayor of London.

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