Thread by @couriermedia

🧵The world is getting louder (and older): The number of people expected to have disabling hearing loss will nearly double to 700 million worldwide by 2050.

Regulations and tricky tech has made it hard to innovate in #hearingtech in the past. But that’s changing 👇

🍴Exposure to noise pollution is on the rise – even going out to dinner can have an impact as restaurants often reach noise levels of more than 70 decibels.

👂It can difficult to treat the problem: Two people with similar levels of hearing loss could have different needs.

But hearing tech is stepping up:

🎧@mimihearing lets you test your hearing and create a personalized sound profile, which is integrated with audio tech.

📱@noopl_inc is a phone accessory that works with earbuds to pick up and clarify sounds in crowded rooms.

Regulations are also starting to turn in favor of more innovation.

🦻The @US_FDA recently proposed a new category for over-the-counter hearing aids, which would allow for devices to be sold directly to users without a medical examination.

But there’s also the issue of loud environments.

📣This can be a challenge not only for those with hearing loss but also the audio-sensitive, such as those with autism (and even people who would like to clearly hear their dinner companion without yelling over music).

.@tomumbli, a hearing wellness app, uses IoT to measure sound levels in different venues, and provides visualized audio data and sound certifications for businesses.

🎶It also has an interactive map where people can see businesses that have been ‘certified for sound.'

It can be a tough market to crack. There’s a stigma around hearing loss, and solutions will need to be multifaceted and preventative. But hearing health is vital - once you lose it, it's gone.

Read more about the growing field of hearing wellness here: mailchi.mp/couriermedia.c…

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