Solution Briefs

engagedigital.ai 1 Engage Clarity Bringing Life Back to Phone Conversations for People with Hearing Loss Conversation is the predominant method of interacting and communicating for most of the world, but a large percentage of the global population suffers from hearing loss. From 20% of the world's population today increasing to an estimated 25% (nearly 2.5 billion) in 2050, hearing difficulties are particularly challenging in phone conversations as telephony is not designed to cater to those with hearing loss and the visual queues like lip reading that can help overcome some hearing difficulties are absent. Individuals with hearing loss often encounter frustration when engaging in mobile calls. This frustration extends beyond mere inconvenience, making conversations unintelligible, influencing engagement in social settings and impacting professional opportunities. Speech-to-text applications are a fine alternative, but they can't convey tone or other vocal indicators that provide meaning in conversations. The limitations of current communication technologies can lead to a sense of isolation as individuals with hearing impairments may withdraw from social interactions, hindering their overall quality of life. Mobile Network Operators (MNOs) are perfectly positioned to offer a fully personalized hearing improvement wellness solution to their mobile subscribers. A poll in Britain of over 2,000 adults found that: • 90% of people with hearing loss feel frustrated due to struggling to hear on mobile calls. • 69% reported the communication breakdown left them feeling stressed. • 24% with hearing loss avoided answering the phone. • 22% felt isolated as a result of that experience. Hearing aids are only part of the solution. John Hopkins research shows that hearing aid users wait, on average, 10 years before getting help for hearing loss. But during that time, communication with loved ones becomes more difficult, and isolation and health risks increase, which could even lead to walking problems, falls and even dementia. Although nearly 27 million Americans aged 50 and older have hearing loss, only one in seven uses a hearing aid. Opportunities for Communication Service Providers Engage Clarity "Our ability to hear is precious. Untreated hearing loss can have a devastating impact on people's ability to communicate, to study, and to earn a living. It can also impact on people's mental health and their ability to sustain relationships." —Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, WHO Director-General 1 WHO, Hearing Report, March 2021

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