The hearing loss statistics are daunting. The number is sizable – 38 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. But probably the most startling statistic is related to older adults – half of those age 75+ difficulty hearing. Of those age 70 and older with hearing loss, only 30% have hearing aids. How is this the status quo? Even though age is the single greatest predictor of hearing loss, many people wait 7 or more years before attempting to address it. That could include purchasing a sound amplification product (PSAP), hearing aid, or the newest amplification category, hearables. The consequences of untreated hearing loss include social isolation, which itself is related to poorer health outcomes.
“Hearables for All” was a 12-month program launched in 2017 by the Front Porch Center for Innovation and Wellbeing (FPCIW). The study explored the next generation of wearable hearing devices for older adults with hearing loss as solutions are increasingly needed to address this condition. The study confirmed the value of addressing hearing loss to help promote wellbeing and social engagement in older adults.
CES 2020 – walking the land of the new. What has 170,000 attendees, long lines, baffling arrangements of booth numbers across multiple, gigantic locations and more robots than you can shake a motion sensor at? That was CES 2020. This gigantic parade of the international new and possible can be perused online in detail (and perhaps more usefully) without walking a step or sniffing cigar smoke. This time, seen (somewhat) in person, here are 10 new offerings from the show that may be relevant to the older adult technology market. Descriptions are drawn from show booth presentations, sessions, websites, and press releases:
The hearing loss statistics are daunting. The number is sizable – 
CES 2020 – walking the land of the new. What has 170,000 attendees, long lines, baffling arrangements of booth numbers across multiple, gigantic locations and more robots than you can shake a motion sensor at? That was 