Brands are adding stress reduction and tinnitus reduction features to hearing aids
Trend - Medtech companies are adding mental and physical health-focused features to hearing aids. These features reduce stress, reduce symptoms of tinnitus, and help prevent hearing loss. This transforms hearing aids into multifunctional medical devices, drawing more customer attention to the field.
Insight - Studies show that nearly 10% of North American adults suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus. Only 5% seek medical attention for these problems, while many suffer without reporting their symptoms. The remaining consumers live with hearing problems, which increases stress and can cause further medical issues. These people do not seek medical attention either due to high costs or time constraints, showing a clear need for everyday products with hearing care and stress relief features.
Insight - Studies show that nearly 10% of North American adults suffer from hearing loss or tinnitus. Only 5% seek medical attention for these problems, while many suffer without reporting their symptoms. The remaining consumers live with hearing problems, which increases stress and can cause further medical issues. These people do not seek medical attention either due to high costs or time constraints, showing a clear need for everyday products with hearing care and stress relief features.
Workshop Question - How could your industry anticipate the silent demands of customers?
Trend Themes
1. Multifunctional Medical Devices - Medtech companies are adding mental and physical health-focused features to hearing aids, making them multifunctional medical devices.
2. Stress-relief Features - Hearing aids are being designed with stress-relief features to alleviate stress and symptoms associated with tinnitus, a prevalent health issue in North America.
3. Invisible Hearing Aids - Invisible hearing aids with stress-reducing and tinnitus-masking features are emerging as a popular option for affordable and on-the-go ear health solutions.
Industry Implications
1. Medtech - Medtech companies can explore hearing aid technology as a multifunctional medical device and incorporate stress-relief and tinnitus-alleviation features.
2. Ear Health - The ear health industry is booming and can explore designing hearing aids with stress and tinnitus solutions, catering to the modern consumer's needs for mental and physical wellness.
3. Personal Audio - Personal audio companies can take inspiration from hearing aid developments to explore incorporating stress relief and other mental health features in personal audio products.
