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As the world commemorated World Hearing Day on March 3, experts emphasized the transformative potential of Artificial Intelligence (AI)-enabled hearing devices in addressing the challenges faced by individuals with hearing impairments.
According to estimates from the World Health Organization (WHO), approximately 430 million people worldwide suffer from hearing loss, with the prevalence expected to increase significantly in the coming decades. While currently affecting one in four individuals over 60, hearing loss is projected to impact one in ten people by 2050, including millions of children and young adults.
Dr. Aparna Gupta, Associate Director of Neurology at the Indian Spinal Injuries Centre (ISIC) in New Delhi, highlighted the pivotal role of AI-enabled hearing aids in amplifying sound and converting it into neural pulses, which are crucial for auditory processing in the brain. Dr. Virendra Singh, Senior Consultant in ENT at Sri Balaji Action Medical Institute, underscored the groundbreaking advancements in AI-based hearing aids, emphasizing their potential to revolutionize auditory solutions.
India, with approximately 63 million individuals grappling with significant auditory deficiencies, faces a formidable challenge in addressing the growing burden of hearing loss across various age groups. As the elderly population in India is expected to double by 2050, surpassing the number of children susceptible to hearing loss, the urgency of implementing preemptive measures to tackle this pressing health issue cannot be overstated.
Dr. Aparna Gupta emphasized the critical importance of hearing for overall health and well-being, noting the detrimental effects of untreated hearing loss on cognitive function and mental health. She emphasized the growing body of research linking hearing impairment to conditions such as Alzheimer’s, stroke, and depression, highlighting the need for comprehensive interventions.
Despite the significant impact of hearing loss on individuals’ lives, the adoption rate of hearing aids remains low, largely due to cost barriers and social stigma. Brandon Sawalich, President and CEO of Starkey, a global hearing technology company, emphasized the transformative potential of modern hearing aid technology, dispelling outdated stereotypes and misconceptions.
The integration of AI technology into hearing aids represents a significant leap forward in addressing hearing impairment, offering unparalleled sound clarity, health monitoring capabilities, and personalized user experiences. AI-enabled hearing devices empower individuals to hear better by processing sounds, enhancing speech clarity, and reducing background noise, thereby enhancing quality of life for individuals with hearing impairments.
On World Hearing Day, experts urged for increased awareness, accessibility, and affordability of AI-enabled hearing devices, advocating for a future where no one is left in silence due to hearing loss.
