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Facilitate solution adoption
Facilitate solution adoption
How can we break down barriers to hearing aid adoption? What psychological, social, and behavioral factors shape outcomes? Discover our latest findings and explore our work.
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In Focus July 2025
Advancing successful aging with hearing loss - Integrating psychosocial and technological innovation
What's in focus Solution Adoption
Age-related hearing loss is a growing public health concern
Age-related hearing loss is affecting over ten million individuals in Germany alone. It is associated with increased risks of social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life. Addressing these multifaceted challenges requires a comprehensive, interdisciplinary approach that combines medical technology, psychosocial support, and user-centered design.
ORCA Labs collaborates with research initiatives that exemplify such a holistic strategy. Our research focus on “Solution Adoption” is closely aligned and our research on the role of hearing-related adaptive strategies in successful aging with hearing loss inspired the current research collaborations.
Project introduction The AgeHearing-QoL project
AgeHearing-QoL research project: New approaches to care – University of Applied Sciences Landshut
Duration: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
The AgeHearing-QoL project (AgeHearing-QoL research project: New approaches to care – University of Applied Sciences Landshut) investigates early and integrative care models for individuals aged 40 and above experiencing mild to moderate hearing loss.
Led by a consortium including the University of Applied Research Landshut, Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin, and Universitätsmedizin Greifswald, the project explores the psychosocial determinants of quality of life—such as perceived stress, social support, and subjective aging experience—and develops targeted intervention programs. These interventions combine early hearing aid adoption with psychosocial training, aiming to enhance autonomy, communication, and emotional well-being.
See more details further down this page.
Project introduction Hochschule Landshut’s research
Hochschule Landshut’s research in medical technology
Duration: April 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
In parallel, Hochschule Landshut’s research in medical technology— notably the HörTrain project (Mehr Lebensqualität bei Altersschwerhörigkeit – Hochschule Landshut) — focuses on a digital training tool that empowers individuals with hearing loss to develop coping strategies beyond device use. This complements AgeHearing-QoL’s psychosocial emphasis by offering scalable, technology-driven solutions that support behavioral adaptation and self-efficacy.
Both projects were recently presented at the Innovation Forum for Medical Technology in Landshut (See LinkedIn post).
Together, these initiatives reflect a shared commitment to fostering solution adoption through interdisciplinary collaboration.
See more details further down this page.
Project details AGEHearing-QoL
AgeHearing-QoL - Psychosocial Factors for the Quality of Life of Aging Individuals with Hearing Loss
Duration: April 1, 2025 – March 31, 2028
Funding: German Federal Joint Committee’s Innovation Fund
Project Leaders:
- Prof. Dr. Bettina Williger
- Team Members: Prof. Dr. Nicole Maria Truebswetter, Prof. Dr. Kühnel, L. Incerti
Partners:
- Charité – Universitätsmedizin Berlin
- Universitätsmedizin Greifswald
- Deutscher Schwerhörigenbund e.V.
- Deutsche Tinnitus-Liga e.V.
- Deutsche Stiftung Tinnitus und Hören Charité
- ORCA Labs Europe, The Scientific Institute of WSAudiology
- IGES Institut GmbH
Objective: The AgeHearing-QoL project explores psychosocial factors influencing the quality of life (QoL) in older adults with hearing loss. It aims to develop new care approaches that integrate early hearing aid provision and psychosocial support.
Background and Motivation
- Hearing Loss: Affects 65% of people over 60 globally, with severity increasing with age. Tinnitus prevalence also rises with age and hearing loss.
- Hearing Aid Provision: Most common intervention for hearing loss, also recommended for tinnitus. Positively associated with QoL, yet underutilized, especially in cases of mild to moderate hearing loss.
Project Goals
- Improve QoL in older adults with hearing loss through early intervention.
- Develop tailored interventions focusing on psychosocial factors and hearing aid use.
- Enable timely and accessible care strategies.
Research Questions
- Which psychosocial factors are most relevant for QoL in older adults, and how do they differ by hearing status and hearing aid use?
- How do these factors vary depending on the degree of hearing loss and current hearing aid use?
- Can psychosocial training modify these factors?
- What is the impact of early intervention (hearing aids and/or psychosocial training) on QoL?
- How can findings be translated into low-threshold care for older adults with hearing loss?
Methodology:
- Identification of Relevant Influences: Conducting two consecutive studies to identify key psychosocial factors.
- Development of an Intervention: Creating a targeted intervention based on the identified factors.
- Practical Recommendations: Deriving practical recommendations to improve the care of individuals with hearing loss.
Project details HörTrain
HörTrain - Digital Training Program for Age-Related Hearing Loss
Duration: April 1, 2024 – December 31, 2026
Funding: Supported by the Bavarian State Ministry of Science and the Arts under the 7th Program for Applied Research and Development at Universities of Applied Sciences and Technical Universities.
Project Leaders:
- Prof. Dr. Nicole Maria Truebswetter, Hochschule Landshut
- Prof. Dr. Bettina Williger, Hochschule Landshut
Objective: The HörTrain project aims to develop a digital training program to assist individuals with age-related hearing loss, both with and without hearing aids, in learning and integrating various adaptation strategies into their daily lives to enhance their quality of life.
Methodology:
- User-Centered Design: The project follows the principles of User-Centered Design (DIN EN ISO 9241-210 2020), involving both experts and end-users (e.g., individuals with hearing loss) throughout the development process.
- Content Development: Collaboration with experts (audiologists, ENT doctors, counseling centers, hearing aid manufacturers) to create the program content.
- Interface Design: Development and implementation of a user-friendly digital interface (app or website) that is intuitive and adaptive.
- Effectiveness Evaluation: The final program will be tested for its effectiveness over a 12-week period with empirical data collection.
Link to website: https://www.haw-landshut.de/forschung/forschungsbereiche/uebersicht-forschungsprojekte/forschungsprojekt/451-hoertrain