The State of Hearing Loss in China's Elderly Population Cannot Be Ignored: 120 Million Affected, Online Fitting Becoming a New Trend

Tech 2024-10-29 15:39:00 Source: Network

The State of Hearing Loss in China's Elderly Population Cannot Be Ignored: 120 Million Affected, Online Fitting Becoming a New Trend"A Survey on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use among the Elderly in China" was released on October 29th. Conducted jointly by Tmall Health, the Beijing Hearing Association, and Sonova Group, this survey comprehensively analyzes the issue of hearing health among China's elderly population

The State of Hearing Loss in China's Elderly Population Cannot Be Ignored: 120 Million Affected, Online Fitting Becoming a New Trend

"A Survey on Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use among the Elderly in China" was released on October 29th. Conducted jointly by Tmall Health, the Beijing Hearing Association, and Sonova Group, this survey comprehensively analyzes the issue of hearing health among China's elderly population. The survey results reveal that the scale of the elderly hearing-impaired group in China has reached 120 million people, and the risk of hearing loss significantly increases with age. After the age of 40, hearing declines at an average rate of 1.5 decibels per year, and about one-third of people over 65 experience moderate or severe hearing loss.

Hearing decline is an invisible threat, and its dangers cannot be overlooked. Initially, hearing-impaired elders may experience symptoms such as slow reactions, being easily distracted, and appearing dazed. As hearing loss worsens, they become isolated in communication, lose interest in their surroundings, and are prone to becoming withdrawn, depressed, and even developing Alzheimer's disease.

The survey highlights the primary dangers posed by hearing loss in the elderly:

Decreased verbal communication ability: Hearing loss makes it difficult for the elderly to understand others' speech, leading to communication barriers and impacting interpersonal relationships.

The State of Hearing Loss in China

Declining emotional and social capabilities: Hearing loss hinders the elderly from participating in social activities, resulting in feelings of loneliness and social isolation, further affecting their mental well-being.

Increased risk of Alzheimer's disease: Studies show that the risk of Alzheimer's disease is two, three, and five times higher in elderly individuals with mild, moderate, and severe hearing loss, respectively, compared to those with normal hearing.

Reduced ability to avoid danger: Hearing loss makes it difficult for the elderly to perceive changes in their surroundings, such as vehicle horns or emergency alarms, increasing the risk of accidents.

It is noteworthy that 24% of elderly patients with hearing loss experience varying degrees of psychological or mental health issues. Zhang Jianyi, expert member of the Beijing Hearing Association and Chief Expert of the Beijing Sino-Danish Hearing Science and Technology Center at Beijing Union Medical College, emphasizes that the phenomenon of elderly withdrawal due to deafness is real, stemming from feelings of loneliness, anxiety, depression, and social isolation caused by hearing and speech communication impairments.

Compared to the harms caused by hearing loss, the "irreversible nature, late intervention, low awareness, and limited resources" associated with hearing loss in China's elderly population pose even greater challenges. To avoid the serious consequences of hearing loss, early intervention follows the "three early" principle: early detection, early diagnosis, and early intervention.

Currently, mainstream approaches for hearing intervention in the elderly include medications, hearing aids, and cochlear implants. For patients with moderate and severe age-related hearing loss, fitting hearing aids is the most effective intervention strategy. Thanks to rapid advancements in fitting technology, online fitting has emerged as a new path to address hearing loss in the elderly.

Survey data indicates that the market share of online hearing aids is projected to rise from 16% in 2021 to 21% in 2024, with per capita purchase amounts showing an upward trend. Nearly 70% of online buyers are between the ages of 30 and 50, primarily purchasing hearing aids for their hearing-impaired parents.

The survey reveals that most users who opt for online fitting believe:

Wider selection online: Online platforms offer a wider range of hearing aid brands and models, allowing users to choose based on their individual needs and budget.

More convenient fitting: Online fitting eliminates the need to visit physical stores, enabling users to complete the fitting process at home, simplifying the process for the elderly.

Avoiding resistance from the elderly: Elderly individuals often resist going to clinics, while online fitting avoids this psychological barrier.

When selecting hearing aids, consumers prioritize features like invisibility, comfort, and intelligence.

In conclusion, the issue of hearing loss in China's elderly population cannot be overlooked, and timely intervention is crucial. The rapid development of online fitting technology provides a new path to address hearing loss in this demographic, offering them more choices and deserving further promotion and application.

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