2023 was a big year for professionals working in audiology and hearing testing.
Toward the end of 2022, we saw the FDA approve OTC hearing aids, a move which continues to redefine the ways that Americans access critical hearing care. We’ve also seen a rise in investments in community-based healthcare, a clear signal that traditional, hospital-based approaches to diagnosing and treating patients for a number of conditions are shifting toward a more accessible, more localized model.
When it comes to these developments (and more!) we’ve rounded up our team’s top-three predictions for what the world of hearing testing will look like in 2024, below:
Patients will expect faster, more convenient approaches to healthcare.
Patients are increasingly expecting healthcare to match the pace of their daily lives. Particularly among young people aged 40 and under, the expectation is that healthcare will be convenient.
Scheduling an appointment with a physician in advance, obtaining a referral to a specialist, waiting weeks for an appointment and even longer to receive care: this traditional process can feel prehistoric to younger or tech-savvy patients, who are used to 24/7 access to information.
The pace at which healthcare providers are able to actually deploy services, like testing and treatment, will continue to gain importance, and patients will begin to differentiate providers not only based on the quality of care they provide, but upon the speed with which it’s provided.
The changing role of the smartphone in healthcare:
Moreover, patients will become increasingly attracted to healthcare solutions that are delivered via familiar, trustworthy technology. Today, a smartphone is no longer a novelty — it’s an absolute essential, one which has been proven to be incredibly effective at engaging people with their own health and wellness. The fitness industry has long-utilized smartphones and screens to help people assess and track their health and wellness journeys — in 2021, fitness apps generated almost £5.5 billion in revenue (a 54% increase from the year prior).
In 2024 and beyond, healthcare providers who can translate critical care into the language of smartphones and screens will be best-positioned to engage patients. Using modern, lightweight solutions will be a key way for healthcare providers and retailers to deliver care that aligns with their community’s evolving expectations of how healthcare should work, and what it should look like.
OTC hearing aids will continue to rise in popularity.
OTC hearing aids are a revolution in hearing care. 2024 will see more uptake of OTC hearing aids, and more opportunities for community healthcare providers and retailers to help drive awareness and adoption.
This uptake will be driven in part by new market entrants that will redefine OTC hearing aids as cool, hip lifestyle products. Big names such as Sony and Bose are rumored to have a stake in the OTC hearing aid game: this kind of investment by some of the world’s largest and most innovative brands has the potential to take OTC hearing aids and transform them from something that consumers think of as a necessity, and turn them into a commodity.
On-the-spot hearing testing will drive hearing care uptake.
On-the-spot hearing testing made available by lightweight, purpose-built solutions will make it easier and faster for patients to look after their hearing health. Purpose-built, lightweight solutions will lead the way, making it possible for community healthcare providers and retailers to offer critical care to patients without an appointment.
And with exponentially improved access to fast and accurate hearing testing, community healthcare providers will also unlock opportunities to offer patients immediate, meaningful next steps to appropriate care, including OTC hearing aids for those with mild to moderate hearing loss.
The future of hearing testing and care is looking incredibly bright heading into 2024. Increased accessibility, improved speed to diagnosis and treatment, and opportunities to destigmatize hearing loss paint a picture of an exciting landscape, particularly for community providers of hearing testing and care.
To speak with us about how your team can best prepare for the year ahead, just get in touch.