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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 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.
Project 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.