Hearing app recognised in 'health techquity' awards

A novel solution designed to help aged care residents with accurately testing their hearing has made the finals in the US digital health event ViVe 2025.

Med-tech company Sound Scouts’ hearing assessment app has been selected as a finalist in the ‘Techquity for Health Case Study Awards’ to be held at the ViVe conference in Nashville in the USA in February. The international awards recognise the importance of technology in providing quality health provision for all and reducing systemic inequities.

Sound Scouts developed the device drawing heavily from gaming technology that is both simple and engaging to use. CEO Carolyn Mee said it was important that all people are treated equally in access to health care, no matter their age or location.

“As health care marches toward full digitisation, integrating health equity considerations into technology and data practices — or techquity — is increasingly important to reducing outcome disparities and systemic inequities.”

While the hearing app has been widely used with school children in Australia, this is the first time such a device has been developed for use in an aged care setting. Older Australians can conduct the test themselves with the help of carers and simple equipment like headphones and a touchscreen device.

Sound Scouts trialled the technology in a collaborative project with the University of Newcastle and Maroba Caring Communities, with support provided by a grant from Aged Care Research & Industry Innovation Australia (ARIIA).

ARIIA Chief Executive Officer Reuben Jacob said ARIIA is committed to helping the aged care sector to advance innovation and encouraged the uptake of technology and digital strategies.

“Seeing the Sound Scouts project getting recognised on the global stage for the incredible impact that this type of software can have in aged care is an amazing outcome.

“Awareness of the positive impacts that technology can have on the lives of those both living in and working in aged care is increasing and ARIIA is excited to see the empowerment that can be created by digital transformation across the sector.”

Mee said more than 65% of adults over 60 years of age experience some form of hearing impairment which puts them at greater risk of social isolation. The device has international potential, especially with rural and regional populations that may not have easy access to hearing testing.

“Vive 2025 is a forum where many digital health solutions are showcased, so it is wonderful to be singled out as a finalist like this in the international arena.

“Providing this app for use with older people can minimise social isolation, reduce the fall risk and potentially reduce the onset and progress of cognitive decline. It is an application that, once adopted, can have a real impact on the wellbeing of adults of all ages, all over the world.”

Image courtesy of Sound Scouts.