In India, 

63 million people  suffer from significant auditory loss.

Globally, hearing loss affects about 10% of the population to some degree.[51] It
caused moderate to severe disability in 124.2 million people as of 2004
(107.9 million of whom are in low and middle income countries).[13] Of these
65 million acquired the condition during childhood
According to the 2005 estimates of WHO, 278 million people have disabling hearing
impairment. The prevalence of deafness in Southeast Asia ranges from 4.6% to 8.8%. In India,
63 million people suffer from significant auditory loss.

As per NSSO survey, currently there are 291 persons per one lakh population who are
suffering from severe to profound hearing loss (NSSO, 2001).

Over 27,000 children are born deaf every year in India

In children, almost 60% of hearing loss can be prevented through measures such as immunisation for
prevention of rubella and meningitis, improved maternal and neonatal care, and screening for, and
early management of, otitis media – inflammatory diseases of the middle ear. 

Hearing loss may be caused by a number of factors,

including: genetics, ageing, exposure to noise, some infections, birth
complications, trauma to the ear, and certain medications or toxins.

Hearing loss increases with age. In those between 20 and 35 rates of hearing
loss are 3% while in those 44 to 55 it is 11% and in those 65 to 85 it is 43%
Degree of hearing loss:
Mild- 1153mn
Moderate- 266mn
Moderately severe- 103mn
Severe- 30.7mn
Profound- 17.2mn
Complete-12.7mn

Impact of hearing loss:

LISTENING AND COMMUNICATION
LANGUAGE AND SPEECH
COGNITION
EDUCATION
EMPLOYMENT
SOCIAL ISOLATION AND LONELINESS
MENTAL HEALTH
 WHO data reveal that the overall global cost of unaddressed hearing loss is greater than $
980 billion annually

As of 2013, the three cochlear implant devices approved for use in the US

were manufactured by Cochlear Limited (Australia), Advanced Bionics (a
division of Sonova) and MED-EL (Austria). In Europe, Africa, Asia, South
America, and Canada, an additional device manufactured
by Neurelec (France, a division of William Demant) was available. A device
made by Nurotron (China) was also available in some parts of the world. Each
manufacturer has adapted some of the successful innovations of the other
companies to its own devices. There is no consensus that any one of these
implants is superior to the others. Users of all devices report a wide range of
performance after implantation

Global Hearing Aid Manufacturers

WS
Company Sonova Demant GN Group Starkey
Audiology

Country (HQ) Switzerland Denmark Denmark Denmark US

Phonak, Oticon, Resound,
Hearing aid Signia,
Unitron, Bernafon, Sonic, Beltone, Starkey
brands Widex
Hansaton Phillips Intertone
Cochlear & Baha Advanced
Oticon - - -
implants Bionics

Consumer
electronics Sennheiser - - Jabra -
brands
Revenue Billion
Euro (€) 18/19
[excluding € 2.56 € 2.00 € 1.60 € 0.86 € 0.15
consumer
electronics]

Following is the listof top 10 hearing aid companies in India,

 Oticon – Denmark.
 Resound – Denmark.
  Widex – Denmark.
 Phonak – Swiss.
 Unitron – Canada.
 Interton – Germany & Denmark.
 Sivantos (earliers Siemens, Germany) – Singapore.
 Starkey – USA

Speech:
Approximately 42 million people (1 in 6) in the United States have some
type of communication disorder. Of these, 28 million have
communication disorders associated with hearing loss, and 14 million
have disorders of speech, voice, and/or language not associated with
hearing loss.

Speech-generating devices (SGDs), also known as voice output communication aids, are

electronic augmentative and alternative communication (AAC) systems used to supplement or
replace speech or writing for individuals with severe speech impairments, enabling them to verbally
communicate.
 AAC systems are extremely diverse and depend on the capabilities of the
user. They may be as basic as pictures on a board that are used to request
food, drink, or other care; or they can be advanced speech generating
devices, based on speech synthesis, that are capable of storing hundreds of
phrases and words

Physical and neurological issues. Speech impediment causes related to

physical characteristics may include:
 Brain damage
 Nervous system damage
 Respiratory system damage
 Hearing difficulties
 Cancerous or noncancerous growths
 Muscle and bone problems such as dental issues or cleft palate
Mental health issues. Some speech disorders are related to clinical conditions
such as:
 Autism spectrum disorder
 Dementia
 Down syndrome or other genetic syndromes
  Cerebral palsy or other neurological disorders
 Multiple sclerosis

10 Most Common Speech-Language Disorders & Impediments:

1)Apraxia of speech
2)Stuttering- Stammering
3)Dysarthria
4)Lisping
5)Spasmodic Dysphonia
6)Cluttering
7)Muteness
8)Aphasia
9)Speech Delay- Alalia
10)Issues related to autism

Companies:
1)Voiceitt

Here’s how Voiceitt works: Users fire up the company’s app and it asks them to
compose then read short, useful sentences out loud, like “I’m thirsty,” or “Turn off the
lights.” The software records and begins to learn the speaker’s particular
pronunciation. A caregiver can type phrases into the app if the user is not able to do
so independently.

After a brief training period, the Voiceitt app can turn the user’s statements into
normalized speech, which it outputs in the form of audio or text messages, instantly.
Voice-controlled apps and devices can easily understand the newly generated audio
or written messages

Devices:

 Augmentative and Alternative Communication (AAC)

Devices help people with communication disorders to express
themselves. These devices can range from a simple picture board
to a computer program that synthesizes speech from text. The
ACC can either be Low-tech AAC or High-tech. is any type of aid
that does not require batteries or electricity. They may include
simple pen and paper to write messages on, pictures boards, that
can be carried to aid communication by pointing on to images,
words, pictures, drawings, or letters. High-tech AAC - Any aid
that requires electricity or batteries. They might include
specialized devices, software, smartphone applications, electronic
communication boards, and keyboards. Most of high -tech AAC
devices are Speech Generating Devices and can produce digitized
 speech when the user either types a message or presses on images,
words, or letters.[6]
 Alerting Devices connect to a doorbell, telephone, or alarm that
emits a loud sound or blinking light to let someone with hearing
loss know that an event is taking place. Several types of ALDs are
available to improve sound transmission for people with hearing
loss and are some are designed for large facilities such as
classrooms, theaters, places of worship, and airports, while others
are intended for personal use in small settings and for one-on-one
conversations. All can be used with or without hearing aids or a
cochlear implant. ALD systems for large facilities include hearing
loop systems, frequency-modulated (FM) systems, and infrared
systems.[7]
 Infrared Systems use infrared light to transmit sound. A
transmitter converts sound into a light signal and beams it to a
receiver that is worn by a listener. The receiver decodes the
infrared signal back to sound. [8]
 Educational Software to assist people with reading, learning
and comprehension.

Memory Aids to help learn and remember a particular

information.

 Speech-generating Device also known also as voice output

communication aids to supplement or replace speech or
writing in people with severe speech impairments. [8]
 Unaided Communication Systems use body language to
communicate. They include gestures, body language, and/or sign
language. [7]
 Electronic Fluency Devices help improve people with stutters
to become more fluent

Pocket Go-Talk 5-Level Communication Device

Price: About $190
Why We Love It: It easily fits into the hand for on-the-go use.
This is a great device for on-the-go, and it’s sturdy enough to take bumps and falls. It
easily fits into the hand, and can just as easily slip into a pocket. It also comes with a
lanyard, so it can be worn around the neck. Plus, it has a loud microphone, so even
when out in public areas, others can easily hear it.
Just six buttons on this device (with five message options on each button) makes it
easy for younger children to use. Simply insert the desired picture overlays into the
front position on the device and record the desired word or message. Photos familiar
to the user can also be inserted, which may add a degree of motivation.
 

The MegaBee Assisted Communication and Writing

Tablet
Price: About $1,800
Why We Love It: Allows users who lack muscle control to communicate using just
their eyes.
This AAC device is designed specifically for users who, due to ALS, a traumatic brain
injury, stroke, ALS, muscular dystrophy, etc. are unable to use most of their body’s
voluntary muscles.
The device is actually held by the listener who looks through the opening in the center
of the device to view the direction of the user’s eye movements. A series of colored
buttons allows the listener to push them as the user moves his or her eyes, first at one
of six colored blocks, and then at a specific color (representing a letter) within that
block. The goal is to spell out what the user wants to say onto the LCD screen.
The device also features a shorthand option, so the user and listener can come up with
a personal set of abbreviations for their most commonly used terms. For those with
low cognitive or literacy skills, the MegaBee also operates in a picture mode, with the
listener placing picture labels in the appropriate areas.
 

Roloquo2Go
Price: $189
Why We Love It: Because it works with the iPad, a separate AAC device isn’t
necessary.
AAC devices are not always device, but often apps that come with the iPad, like
Roloquo2Go, designed for children who have difficulty speaking. It provides text-to-
speech voices, clear symbols, and a vocabulary of more than 7,000 items.
 
 

Enabling Devices Tactile Symbol Communicator

Price: About $500
Why We Love It: The tactile buttons accommodate visually impaired users.
This portable symbol communicator, which can store up to 36 messages, has a total of
six removable tactile symbols that allow the user to push a button to relay a message.
As a tactile symbol communicator, it is perfect for users who are blind or visually
impaired. We like this device because it offers six levels of communication, with six
messages per level. When setting up this device, it provides up to six seconds of
record time per message.
 

GOTALK 9+
Price: About $175
Why We Love It: It’s affordable and practical.
This device wins for its affordability. At under $200, the GOTALK 9+ is lightweight
and durable and has a 45-message capacity, five recording levels, and a nine-minute
recording time. The user simply presses the appropriate message key that corresponds
with a picture.
 

FAB Frenchay Alphabet Board

Price: About $188
Why We Love It: The rugged design makes it ideal for a variety of settings,
including nursing homes, daycare facilities, schools, critical care units, etc.
This device is rugged and practical, featuring an anti-bacterial rubber base and
washable keyboard protector. The standard alpha-numeric keyboard design allows
literate non-verbal users to easily choose the letters and numbers they want, while the
listener looks at the keys and spells out the word. Each key features a depression that
makes choosing a key easier for the user. It also comes in a smaller, pocket size for
on-the-go use. It may be the ideal addition to electronic AAC devices for on-the-go or
emergency situations.
 

Lightwriter SL40
Price: $7,000
Why We Love It: The dual-display screen allows for a natural, face-to-face
dialogue.
This device is for those who are literate but unable to easily communicate through
speech. The device is small, lightweight, and easy to transport, and the dual screen
enables the user to type the message while the listener is sitting in a natural position
for easy dialogue. It also includes a text-to-speech feature when communicating with
others in the room. We also love the SIM card feature, which allows users to send text
message to friends and family.
Additional features of the Lightwriter include a notebook feature, built-in buzzers to
summon attention, alarms to remind the user of important events, and a built-in
remote control for the television.
 

Gooshy Step Talk Communicator

Price: About $250
Why We Love It: It’s colorful design with lights, vibration, and music provides
motivation.
The Gooshy Step Talker Communicator features a series of pre-recorded messages.
The moon-shaped, jelly-filled button has floating stars in it, encouraging the user to
press it to communicate. The user presses the communicator for the first message,
twice for the second message, etc. Depending on the recorded messages, the device
can be designed for a variety of tasks, such as multiplication, memorization,
directions, sequencing, etc.
 
 

Big Talk Assistive Technology Communicator

Price: About $215
Why We Love It: The large target makes it easy for users with limited muscle
control.
This device consists of a large, colorful button that can be activated with a slight touch
by the user. A single message of up to 20 seconds can be stored. Plus, an external
capability switch allows the device to be used as a switch to activate other devices.
Use several to create a system of communication.
 

GoTalk Express 32 – Advanced Communication Aid

Price: About $570
Why We Love It: Allows non-literate users to press multiple picture keys to create
sentences
This laptop device features a grid of pictures that allow users to combine them to form
sentences. It features two methods of operation: standard and express. When the
standard method is chosen, the user simply presses a message key and the device
speaks the word. When the express method is chosen, the user can press multiple
message keys to create a sentence