hearing loss

What is the prevalence of hearing loss today?  One-third of adults between 65 and 75 have age-related hearing loss. Further, 40-50% of adults aged 75 and older have age-related hearing loss, with 50% of those aged 85+. This is the result of changes in blood flow and the structures of the inner ear, changes to a nerve related to hearing, and changes to how the brain processes speech and sounds. Hearing loss is correctable – but many older adults avoid hearing aids or don’t wear them. Many with untreated hearing loss are at risk of developing dementia. Despite the fact that hearing aids can improve hearing and reverse the social isolation and cognitive decline that can result from hearing loss, most adults with hearing loss do not use hearing aids – or defer their use for as many as ten years following its onset.  Learn more.

The FDA jumps to approve when Apple approaches.  This sounded familiar, and merits a look back to a blog post from September 2018: “When Apple speaks, a puzzled market listens. When Apple announces, industries crane their necks to hear. They announced two features of a new watch, ECG monitoring and fall detection. In July, Tim Cook apparently did not want to get into the world of FDA regulation. Well, that was then – or he just wasn’t saying. In this new watch, both the ECG feature and fall detection have received FDA clearance within 30 days of applying, startling some observers who noted that closer to 150 days was more typical for a medical device. Healthcare observers are concerned that false positives from ECG readings could propel people unnecessarily to already-overloaded Emergency Rooms. To date, the Apple Watch may have been of greatest interest to 40 year old males. Interestingly, 70% of cases of atrial fibrillation are among the 65+ population. Does Apple really want the 65+ population to buy an Apple watch?” Did it happen?

The population is aging – and still, the tech solution market is immature.  Investors of all types demonstrate interest in a product here and an offering there.  Competitions highlight product winners; money is raised for one product at a time.  One reason for the immaturity of the market is the behavior of buyers. Senior living companies buy a product for this and an offering for that. The future is predicted to incorporate new technology like AI – but that is always ‘in the future.’ Everyone agrees that AI could enhance retirement living and healthcare, but deployment of new offerings is always described as in the future. No other software categories in tech history – consider office, finance, supply chain –  remain a laundry list of point products when markets expect suites.