Life-changing differences through hearing The Demant Group’s core contribution Awareness, access and affordability Addressing awareness, access and affordability in hearing healthcare implies a distinction between high and low- and middle-income countries. All three parameters are more or less present in high income countries where efforts should focus on getting full benefit from the treatment. In low- and middle- income countries, where age-related hearing loss is less prevalent due to shorter lifetime expectancy, the challenge revolves around creating hearing health infrastructure for future treatment. Conscious of the role we play in improving global health, we are committed to further improve awareness, access and affordability in hearing healthcare. Though separated below, the three are intertwined and respectively influence one an - other. To aid beyond a commercial reach, we channel our philan- thropic activities through William Demant Foundation and reinvest in society. Awareness We take it upon ourselves to share our extensive knowledge of audiology to limit the negative impact of hearing loss and amplify the benefits of awareness, early intervention, correct treatment and good hearing health. As an industry partner in large-scale research studies, we contribute directly to improve the quality of hearing healthcare standards and to the overall body of knowledge in the field. Diagnostics and identification of hearing loss – for people with age-related hearing loss and those who are born with it – are key parts of Demant’s impact on awareness. As the first step to alleviate hearing loss is to become aware of it. In our marketing efforts and Hearing Care business, dedicated people work to inform and guide about the importance of early detection of hearing loss. As a member of European Instrument Manufactures Associ- ation (EHIMA), Demant takes an active part in building and supporting public awareness of hearing issues while encour- aging scientific research within the field of hearing loss and alleviation. We also join WHO (World Health Organisation) in its annual quest to address the importance of hearing healthcare on World Hearing Day. Access Most commonly, the global hearing healthcare market in high-income countries is not necessarily characterised by lack of access points, private or public, and with our more than 2,600 clinics worldwide, and continuing expansion, we take our part in providing access. Our intention is to help people who receive treatment for a hearing loss without fully ben- efitting from for instance their hearing aids through aware - ness-raising and outstanding individual care and service. We want to ensure that more people experience the full effect of living with access to a life without hearing loss. Affordability A highly competitive market powered by innovation also gives competitive prices and positively impacts affordability, and in almost every market, hearing aids are partly or fully available through governmental or insurrance-based subsidies. A large part of good hearing healthcare is centered around the time after the first fitting or an implant-surgery, and a high lev - el of service is crucial during this period of treatment. Pricing in the hearing healthcare market also contains an essentially high level of service, which ultimately helps ensure the afore- mentioned actual benefits of alleviating hearing loss. To Demant, contributing to affordability means offering a di- verse portfolio of hearing aids, ranging from basic to premium categories. We also offer a full return assurance, if the treat- ment turns out to not be the right fit, because it is fundamental that the treatment in fact is experienced as a help and makes a difference to people’s hearing health. 37 Demant ∙ Sustainability Report 2021
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