RajaS, Founder and MD, Hearzap in interaction with IndiaMedToday shared the remarkable shifts made in new-age hearing aids by technological advancements like AI. He also delved into the numerous applications of AI in the realm of hearing health, from diagnosis to improved device efficiency and accuracy.
How is tele-audiology enhancing accessibility across geographical barriers to hearing care, especially in regions where in-person consultations may not be easily available? Can you share how Hearzap uses tele-audiology for remote consultations and adjustments?
Tele-audiology should be seen as a paradigm shift in the provision of hearing care by bridging the distance enabling virtual consultations and adjustments on a given device. At Hearzap, we use secure video calls for consultations and cloud-based technology to remotely adjust hearing aids. This makes it possible to provide care and assistance to clients situated in remote locations without the need for travel. Tele-audiology ensures that clients get help irrespective of location, increases efficiency, and ensures client satisfaction by delivering ongoing improvement in quality, including those areas that do not have moderate resources available for hearing care.
What are your plans do you have w.r.t geographical expansion beyond the four stores you have at AP, TN and Kerala, Maharashtra and Karnataka?
With more than 130+ stores across India, Hearzap has established a strong presence in states such as Tamil Nadu, Telangana, Andhra Pradesh, Karnataka, Kerala, Maharashtra, West Bengal, and many other states. We will strengthen this network further through our future geographical expansion strategies by focusing on underserved areas in tier II and tier III cities to make high-quality hearing care services available to a larger population. We will strive to increase the availability and reach of hearing care services across the country using our existing capabilities and structures.
How are digital technologies like AI used to improve patient experience, quality and operational efficiency in hearing aids? Are there specific health metrics that these devices can track to promote preventive care?
With the help of AI, hearing aids are becoming better, more efficient, and easier to use. These devices use advanced algorithms to adapt to different environments, ensuring clearer conversations in noisy settings. They have remote adjustments, minimising clinic visits, and improving convenience. Modern hearing aids also have features like activity tracking and fall monitoring which emphasise preventive care and improvement in health and wellbeing. They also make it possible to integrate AI, which makes the adjustment of hearing aids easier and more efficient according to the needs of users.
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Modern hearing aids also have features like activity tracking and fall monitoring which emphasise preventive care and improvement in health and wellbeing.
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What sort of technological features and improvements can we expect in future hearing aids? What trends or insights guide your product development at Hearzap?
The future of hearing aids is smarter, AI-powered solutions that provide real-time noise cancellation, enhanced speech clarity, and adaptive soundscapes for seamless everyday use. At Hearzap, we focus on awareness, accessibility, and affordability to ensure these advancements reach everyone who needs them. Rechargeable technology and tele-audiology are helping hearing care become more convenient, effective, and client-centred as it meets actual real-life problems.
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The future of hearing aids is smarter, AI-powered solutions that provide real-time noise cancellation, enhanced speech clarity, and adaptive soundscapes for seamless everyday use.
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Given the stigma associated with hearing aids amongst young adults, as it is an outright indication of a disability, what are hearing aid companies doing to alleviate and dispel these perceptions through sleeker models?
Rather than altering hearing aid devices, Hearzap raises awareness and increases access to hearing care. We aim to change public perception, presenting hearing aids not as a symbol of disability but as tools for managing a common and manageable condition. We are promoting the benefits of hearing health and the life-changing impact of hearing aids to normalise their use among people of all ages. Education and outreach promote hearing as a worthwhile concern for individuals without shame or compunction.
Could you elaborate on the role of AI as a diagnostic tool in identifying risk factors in hearing health and prevention of hearing loss?
AI is revolutionising the hearing healthcare sector by aiding as a powerful diagnostic tool. Its advanced algorithms review extensive datasets, identifying even slight patterns and risk factors related to hearing loss. For example, AI-based audiology platforms can analyse auditory responses during tests much more accurately than their conventional counterparts, thus raising alarm earlier than traditional counterparts. Additionally, AI interfaces wearable devices and mobile applications to monitor environmental noise exposure and usage patterns in real-time and provide preventive guidance in advance.
AI-powered diagnostic tools can provide personalised healthcare based on forecasts of specific risks a person will face. These specific risks may be based on lifestyle genetic tendencies or prior hearing data. This kind of forward-thinking strategy stops the hearing from becoming worse as it suggests the right time when something needs to be treated. Using AI improves how doctors diagnose the issues and urges care that prevents problems in the first place. All this makes hearing health better accessible and more effective for everyone.
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AI-based audiology platforms can analyse auditory responses during tests much more accurately than their conventional counterparts, thus raising alarm earlier than traditional counterparts.
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What steps is Hearzap taking to incorporate health-tracking features into hearing aids to support users’ overall wellness? How does this enhance a holistic approach to elder care?
Our first goal is to improve the quality of hearing, to sound clear and seamless. Although health-tracking features are not available at the moment, we're monitoring the development in the industry and the requirements of the customers. We make sound clearer, more comfortable, and easier to use. For that, we employ advanced technology, such as AI and batteries you can recharge. Thus, our hearing aids give real, life-changing help that isn't hard to use or understand.
The hearing aid market in India has grown significantly in recent times. What unique challenges and opportunities do you see in providing affordable, over-the-counter hearing solutions, particularly for elderly patients?
The hearing aid market in India has experienced good growth with more awareness and technological advancement. However, developing affordable over-the-counter devices for the aged Client presents other challenges and opportunities.
Challenges:
The main challenge is on the financial front. Affordability is a big issue because many elderly people in India, who require this type of treatment, do not have sufficient resources. Moreover, a lack of awareness of hearing health exists, and social stigma keeps most from availing of services. Access to hearing care services is difficult in rural and semi-urban areas due to inadequate infrastructure and trained professionals.
Opportunities:
The changing market offers the possibility of overcoming these problems. Over-the-counter hearing aids, coupled with educational programs, will make hearing care more accessible and remove stigma from its use. Devices for senior citizens that are easy to use, long-lasting, and low-maintenance can greatly increase adoption rates. Digital platforms can also be leveraged for consultation and support, which enhances reach, especially in underserved areas.
Our focus is to understand such unique needs and ensure solutions are balanced between affordability, accessibility, and technological advancement so that elderly clients do not have any barriers to getting the proper care.
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Over-the-counter hearing aids, coupled with educational programmes, will make hearing care more accessible and remove stigma from its use.
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How do you envision Hearzap's hearing solutions contributing to the hearing aid solutions market in India ? Are there any partnerships or upcoming initiatives in the pipeline?
Making hearing care accessible and inclusive is central to our vision. Offering the most advanced solutions from AI-powered and rechargeable hearing aids enables people to repossess both sound and confidence. We are excited for further collaborations that will, through partnerships with leading Indian and international brands and specialists, expand access to these innovations and high-quality care for people across India. These programmes not only shape a more inclusive, accessible hearing care ecosystem but also help to change societal perceptions about hearing health.
