The global hearing aid market remains poised for sustained growth, fuelled by an ageing global population, increased awareness, technological advancements, rising disposable incomes, and government initiatives. However, stark disparities exist in hearing-aid-adoption rates between mature and emerging markets. The industry is led by five global companies, including Demant Holding A/S, GN Store Nord A/S, Sonova Holding AG, Starkey Hearing Technologies, and WS Audiology.
Quality assurance remains a pivotal consideration, with the WHO emphasizing the need for high-quality hearing aids in LMICs. The lack of globally recognized quality-testing programmes and standards raises challenges, necessitating a concerted effort to establish frameworks derived from successful public-procurer models in high-income countries or through WHO Prequalification. Given the significant need and growing demand in LMICs, there is a requirement for a global effort that strengthens supply in LMICs to ensure sustainability and affordability, while maintaining good quality in line with global quality criteria still to be defined.
As the market unfolds, the concluding insights underscore the imperative of continued innovation, global collaboration, and inclusive design to meet the diverse needs of users worldwide.
While providing affordable hearing aids is a crucial step towards mitigating hearing loss in LMICs, it is equally important to integrate comprehensive service delivery by trained professionals with the distribution of these devices along with follow-up support and maintenance. Through comprehensive service provision, health systems can ensure that these devices are effectively used to improve hearing and quality of life for individuals. This holistic approach is essential for maximizing the impact of hearing aid programmes, especially in resource-limited settings.
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