AI-Driven Innovations in Hearing Health: A Review of Artificial Intelligence Applications in Audiology and Hearing Technologies

Hearing loss is a prevalent condition affecting over 500 million people globally, with projections estimating more than 700 million cases by 2050. Artificial Intelligence (AI) holds transformative potential in audiology, enhancing diagnostic, therapeutic, and rehabilitation outcomes. This review explores the applications of AI in hearing aids, cochlear implants, sign language recognition, and tele-audiology....

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✦ The floor

Discussion

Signed responses from readers of the wire.

✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦

No immediate practice change warranted, but audiologists should monitor AI-driven diagnostic and fitting tools as they mature, since this review signals accelerating integration of AI across the audiology care pathway.

✦ Why It Matters ✦

With the global burden of hearing loss projected to reach 700 million by 2050, AI-driven innovations in audiology diagnostics, hearing aid processing, and teleaudiology represent a transformative shift in how hearing healthcare may be delivered.

✦ Key Points ✦

01Review covers AI applications across audiology: diagnostics, hearing aid signal processing, tinnitus management, and teleaudiology.
02Global hearing-loss prevalence currently exceeds 500 million people, projected to reach 700 million by 2050.
03AI tools show promise in automated audiogram interpretation, noise reduction, and personalised fitting algorithms.
04Published in Current Aging Science (2026); framed around aging populations as a primary risk group.
05Review is narrative/descriptive — no meta-analysis of AI efficacy data is presented.

✦ Claims & Evidence ✦

ClaimEvidenceSupport

More than 500 million people globally have disabling hearing loss, with projections reaching 700 million by 2050.

studysupported

AI applications can improve diagnostic accuracy and hearing aid performance in audiology settings.

opinionpartially supported

✦ Research metadata ✦

PMID: 42839865
DOI: 10.2174/0118746098352524250123050156.
Journal: Current Aging Science
Publication type: review
Evidence level: 5
Population: Broad population with hearing loss; focus on aging adults
Intervention: Artificial intelligence applications in audiology and hearing technologies

Primary outcomes

AI diagnostic accuracy; Hearing aid performance outcomes; Teleaudiology effectiveness

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