Blackberry Hearing acquires Dublin paediatric audiology clinic
What's the deal? Blackberry Hearing, one of Ireland's leading hearing healthcare providers, has acquired The Hearing Company in Crumlin, Dublin — a clinic known for its paediatric audiology expertise near Crumlin Children's Hospital.
The deal is part of a broader expansion push. Blackberry Hearing has recently acquired Donegal Hearing and Access Hearing in Dún Laoghaire, and says further acquisitions are imminent.
The company, founded in 2015 by Dave Gleeson and John Ryan, now operates more than 60 clinics and outlets across Ireland, employs 50 people, and plans to hire 15 more by the end of 2026. It is backed by investment from Abbey International Finance.
Why now? Ireland has roughly 12,000 children on HSE waiting lists for hearing assessments. Blackberry Hearing says it is working alongside the HSE to help reduce those backlogs through its new Crumlin clinic.
"With early detection, more than 60% of childhood hearing loss can be prevented or effectively managed," said managing director Matthew Gleeson. "Early intervention is critical to achieving the best outcomes."
The company has also recently partnered with Tesco Ireland, launching hearing experience stores in five Tesco Extra locations, with further retail expansion planned this year.
The signal: Hearing loss remains a major but underserved health issue in Ireland. About one in twelve adults lives with permanent hearing loss, rising to half of those over 70. An estimated 300,000 adults could benefit from hearing devices, yet only one in five uses them.
Blackberry Hearing's strategy — combining clinical acquisitions, retail partnerships, and public health collaboration — reflects a growing trend of private healthcare providers stepping in where public systems face capacity constraints. Its aggressive expansion suggests the company sees significant room to grow in a market where demand far outstrips supply.
Read more: obrienpr.com
