South & Central America Hearing Aids Market Forecast to 2030 - Regional Analysis - by Type, Product Type, Technology, Type Of Hearing Loss, Patient Type, and Distribution Channel

The South & Central America hearing aids market was valued at US$1.15 billion in 2022 and is expected to reach US$1.58 billion by 2030; it is estimated to register a CAGR of 4.1% from 2022 to 2030.

Approval of Over-The-Counter Hearing Aids Fuels South & Central America Hearing Aids Market

Loss of hearing can have a profound impact on quality of life. According to World Health Organization (WHO), there were ~1.5 billion living with hearing loss globally and only 20% of the population with hearing loss uses hearing aids. The reason behind this is the high cost of hearing aids, as people experiencing hearing loss must undergo audiology exams, get prescriptions for devices that are sized and fit appropriately in the ear, and receive counsel on proper use and follow-up tuning of devices.

A surge is expected to be witnessed in the demand for OTC hearing aids by consumers suffering from mild to moderate hearing loss. For instance, in October 2022, Sony Electronics introduced its first over-the-counter hearing aids in the market. The unique products were developed in partnership with W.S. Audiology. The first two products, Sony CRE-C10 and CRE-E10, will be available on the Sony website and at Amazon, Best Buy, and other retailers globally. The introduction of over-the-counter promotes innovation and competition in the hearing aid technology market. Such factors will offer growth opportunities to the hearing aids market.

South & Central America Hearing Aids Market Overview

According to the data from the Pan American Health Organization (PAHO), more than 30 million people in Brazil are aged 60 and above, representing 13% of the country's population. By 2030, this count is expected to reach ~50 million, representing 24% of the Brazilian population. As per the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics, the country's population aged 65 and above is expected to hold a 36% share of the total population of Brazil by 2050. Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic conditions affecting older adults. As hearing aids are easy to use, people suffering from this condition prefer using hearing aids.

South & Central America Hearing Aids Market Segmentation

The South & Central America hearing aids market is segmented based on type, product type, technology, type of hearing loss, patient type, distribution channel, and country. Based on type, the South & Central America hearing aids market is bifurcated into prescription hearing aids and OTC hearing aids. The prescription hearing aids segment held a larger market share in 2022.

In terms of product type, the South & Central America hearing aids market is bifurcated into hearing aid devices and hearing implants. The hearing aid devices segment held a larger market share in 2022. Furthermore, the hearing aid devices segment is subsegmented into behind-the-ear (BTE) hearing aid, in-the-ear (ITE) hearing aid, receiver-in-the-ear (RITE) hearing aid, canal hearing aid, and others. Additionally, the hearing implants segment is bifurcated into cochlear implants and bone conduction implants.

By technology, the South & Central America hearing aids market is bifurcated into conventional hearing aids and digital hearing aids. The conventional hearing aids segment held a larger market share in 2022.

Based on type of hearing loss, the South & Central America hearing aids market is bifurcated into sensorineural hearing loss and conductive hearing loss. The sensorineural hearing loss segment held a larger market share in 2022.

Based on patient type, the South & Central America hearing aids market is bifurcated into adults and pediatric. The adults segment held a larger market share in 2022.

Based on distribution channel, the South & Central America hearing aids market is segmented into pharmacies, retail stores, and online. The pharmacies segment held the largest market share in 2022.

Based on country, the South & Central America hearing aids market is segmented into Brazil, Argentina, and the Rest of South & Central America. Brazil dominated the South & Central America hearing aids market share in 2022.

Starkey Laboratories Inc., Audina Hearing Instruments Inc, GN Store Nord AS, Cochlear Ltd, Sonova Holding AG, and Sonic Innovations Inc are some of the leading companies operating in the South & Central America hearing aids market.