International Day of Sign Languages: Enhancing Accessibility, Care, Technology Adoption

The world has come together to celebrate the International Day of Sign Languages on September 23, 2024, to protect the diversity and linguistic identity of deaf people and other sign language users. The World Federation of the Deaf (WFD) proposed the idea for the Day to commemorate the date the WFD was established in 1951. According to the WFD, there are around 70 million deaf people globally.

Demographic and population trends reflect the soaring cases of hearing loss globally. The WHO infers that around 2.5 billion people will be living with some degree of hearing loss by 2050, and 700 million of those will need rehabilitation services. Cost-effective technological and innovative solutions can be the silver bullet. The global health watchdog claims that the current rate of prevalence will put a financial toll as almost one trillion International dollars are apparently lost annually from unaddressed hearing loss.

The ray of hope is that investments in ear and hearing care can provide governments with a return of almost 16 International dollars for every one dollar invested.

Sign languages are on par with spoken languages. Hearing assistive technologies and services, hearing aids, sign language interpretation and captioning, have become game-changers in enhancing access to communication for those with hearing loss.

Artificial Intelligence (AI) in Sign Language: The Silver Lining

Sign language is not a cakewalk; it involves not only hand gestures but also body posture, facial expressions, and mouthing. The advent of the AI model in sign language translation has brought a seismic shift in helping people communicate across barriers. For the unversed, AI-powered sign language solutions can translate sentences on video subtitles, websites and even real-time speech into sign language. AI uses bespoke speech recognition algorithms and decides the ideal expressions, signs, grammar and gestures to communicate the message.

Since AI in sign language has been nothing short of a panacea, stakeholders have upped efforts to provide a more accessible way to connect with the world. In April 2024, IVèS, IBM and Sopra Steria collaborated to create allegedly the world’s first conversational assistant in sign language. Reports indicate AI solutions (from all three companies) will foster digital sign language communication.

AI is poised to bring a paradigm shift in accessibility, promoting inclusion for the deaf, raising awareness and streamlining individuals’ journey.

Opportunities in Over-the-Counter Hearing Aids

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids help adults with mild-to-moderate degree of hearing loss to enhance communication. A hearing aid, worn within or behind the ear canal, can be the magic pill to reduce the severity or frequency of depression, cognitive decline and other health issues in adults. The new ruling(which came into effect on October 17, 2022) of the U.S. FDA suggests OTC hearing aids for adults 18 years of age and older can be purchased online and in retail stores and do not need an audiologist or a physician visit before purchase.

The present over-the-counter hearing aids market could witness the prominence of digital audiology devices for speech enhancement, signal processing and, feedback and noise reduction. Since the hearing aids market focuses on the direct-to-consumer ecosystem, customers are expected to consider the following when determining or sifting the devices:

• Cost and durability;

• Telehealth option and online support;

• Ease of use and function.

While hearing aids date back to over a century, advanced devices—perceived as effective and safe—can reduce the societal and personal pressure linked with hearing loss. Indeed, the OTC hearing aid has ushered in a watershed moment in hearing care.

The Upshot: Challenges and Roadmap

Curiously, ear and hearing care is yet to be integrated into the national health system in most countries. Moreover, hearing loss and ear diseases are stigmatized and a lack of human resources adds insult to injury. According to the World Report on Hearing published by the WHO, 93% have fewer than one audiologist per million in low-income countries.

The universal access to quality ear and hearing care can gain traction from access to advanced technologies, use of AI in sign language, investments in OTC hearing aid devices, improved communication, noise reduction and ear disease prevention and management. Nevertheless, stakeholders need to support Goal 3 of the Sustainable Development Goals for 2030, which asserts that all people, including those with ear diseases and hearing loss, have access to top-quality services without financial suffering.