World Hearing Index 2021: The Complete Guide to How the World Hears

Mimi have recently launched the World Hearing Index Report 2021. Based on data generated by the Mimi Hearing Test app, the report analyses 1.5 hearing tests globally. This is one of the largest data-centric pieces of hearing research ever created. This year, we interpreted the findings within the broader lens of the COVID-19 pandemic.

2020 saw the world grappling with COVID-19, shifting from the physical to the virtual for many pursuits. As a result, our ability to hear became even more critical to our ability to communicate. The World Hearing Index reports takes a look at not only look at what our hearing tests reveal but also places this data in the broader social context. 

Mimi World Hearing Map 2021:

Some of the significant findings from Mimi’s data and broader research:

Countries in Europe and the Schengen region rate as those with the best hearing quality among all Mimi users: 

  • Slovenia
  • Finland
  • Austria
  • Germany
  • Switzerland

The reasons for this vary and may, in part, be attributed to a higher level of office-based and home-based digital roles. This meant longer periods with lower noise pollution as a result of the 2021 COVID-lockdowns. Government controls around the volumes of automotives and machinery may also be a factor. 

By comparison, non-Western countries featured Mimi users most impacted by hearing difficulties. People living in these countries may be subject to more public and prolonged noise at high volumes and thus, more susceptible to hearing damage: 

  • India
  • Pakistan
  • Iraq
  • Saudi Arabia
  • Philippines

Hearing loss is affecting young people

Our research found that hearing loss is increasingly present in young people. This trend shows no sign of abating due to a combination of factors, including environmental noise pollution and listening to headphones at an excessive volume for extended periods. 

Sound personalization creates an opportunity for early prevention

By the time people realise their hearing is declining, they may have lost the opportunity to prevent future damage.  Fortunately, Mimi helps creates a bridge between sound calibration to ameliorate declining hearing and the motivation to access professional medical assistance. Further, earphones and other audio equipment calibrated to the specific hearing ability of the user provide greater clarity at a lower volume reducing the need to listen to audio at ear-damaging levels. 

The time is ripe for OEMs to embrace Sound Personalization

The last year has cemented the value of high-quality personalised audio experiences as people embraced the companionship of audio content including podcasts and music.

COVID-19 changed how we hear

During the pandemic, audio has served as a companion with consumers relying on audiobooks, podcasts, music, and other digital entertainment to enrich and enhance daily life. 

 

You can find out more about the World Hearing Index download your own copy of the report using the link below:

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