63 Million Indians Suffer Hearing Loss; Awareness, Timely Care Remain Key Challenges

Bengaluru, Oct 9 : An estimated 63 million Indians experience some degree of hearing loss, but low awareness, social stigma and limited access to quality hearing assessments continue to delay diagnosis and treatment, highlighting the need for greater awareness and accessible hearing healthcare.

Many people continue to regard hearing loss as a natural consequence of ageing, while others overlook early symptoms or hesitate to seek professional help. Delayed intervention can affect communication, confidence, productivity and overall quality of life.

Avinash Pawar, Managing Director and CEO of WS Audiology (WSA) India, said hearing loss remained an often-overlooked public health concern and stressed the need to improve awareness and expand access to quality hearing-care services.

“There is a clear need to raise greater awareness, make advanced hearing-care solutions more accessible, and build a sustainable ecosystem for hearing health,” Pawar said.

He noted that India had significant potential to expand hearing-care services, adding that the focus needed to shift from merely recognising hearing problems to seeking timely assessment and treatment.

Pawar called for hearing health to become an integral part of preventive healthcare, with routine hearing checks receiving the same attention as vision and dental check-ups.

Untreated hearing loss can affect everyday conversations, social interactions and workplace productivity, ultimately diminishing a person's quality of life. Early screening and timely intervention can help address these challenges and improve outcomes.

He also emphasised the importance of stronger partnerships among healthcare providers, audiologists, non-governmental organisations and community health workers to spread awareness and improve access to hearing-care services in both urban and rural areas.

“Hearing intervention should not be just a medical decision but a natural part of preventive healthcare in India,” he said.

Artificial intelligence (AI) and digital technologies are also creating new opportunities in hearing healthcare by enabling more personalised solutions that adapt to different listening environments.

According to Pawar, AI has become an important component of modern hearing solutions, helping improve speech clarity, manage background noise and enhance the overall listening experience.

Citing the Widex Allure AI and Signia MaX platforms, he said these technologies use advanced acoustic intelligence to respond to changing sound environments, improve conversation clarity and deliver a more natural listening experience.

Digital tools such as Compass Cloud are also helping hearing-care professionals provide more personalised support to patients.

Pawar said the future of hearing healthcare would depend on combining technological innovation with professional expertise to ensure that people receive appropriate and timely care.

WS Audiology is a global hearing healthcare group operating in more than 130 markets, with a portfolio that includes the Widex and Signia hearing-aid brands.

In India, the company has been operating for more than 25 years. Its Bengaluru hub handles manufacturing, assembly and service operations, while its Hyderabad research and development centre focuses on software development and product management.

The company also operates a network of BestSound Centres and collaborates with healthcare partners, including Titan and Apollo Hospitals, to expand access to hearing solutions.

Pawar said continued investment, innovation and partnerships would be critical to the growth of hearing healthcare in India. However, he emphasised that raising awareness, encouraging early screening and improving access to professional services remained essential to ensuring timely intervention for people experiencing hearing loss.