The 2026 Academic Conference on Artificial Intelligence and Hearing Health Successfully Held

An academic conference focused on the audio future—“Leading with Intelligence in Hearing, With AI for Good—2026 International Symposium on Artificial Intelligence and Hearing Health”—has recently concluded successfully in Longgang, Shenzhen. The symposium was hosted by the Shenzhen Medical Association and organized by Shenzhen Longgang Otorhinolaryngology Hospital. It was supported by Sonova Group, a global leader in hearing health, and brought together top experts and scholars from China and abroad, as well as clinicians and industry representatives, to jointly explore how AI technology can empower hearing health and establish a full-lifecycle management system from prevention to rehabilitation.

China is accelerating into an aging society, and hearing health issues have become increasingly prominent. The “Guiding Opinions on Promoting Ear and Hearing Health Work,” released by the National Health Commission in 2025, specifically emphasizes building a full-chain service system of “screening, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation,” and is committed to improving the capacity and quality of primary healthcare services. This symposium aims to promote the practical application of AI technology in key areas such as hearing screening, precise diagnosis, and intelligent rehabilitation, so as to effectively enhance the accessibility and efficiency of hearing care services.

As an important supporter of this symposium, Sonova once again underscores its leadership position in AI hearing technology. Fang Fang, General Manager of Sonova China, said: “In the past few years, we have witnessed AI move step by step from a technical concept into clinical practice and into users’ lives. Innovation from Sonova’s Phonak brand goes beyond breakthroughs in algorithms—it’s also about whether it can help a person’s world be heard again. Whether it’s hearing aids or cochlear implants, our mission is to ensure that every sound is not missed.”

The symposium delved into four major dimensions: AI algorithm innovation, clinical translation, pediatric rehabilitation, and inclusive practice. Through formats such as keynote speeches, panel discussions, and interactive experiences, participants deeply explored the “last mile” from algorithms to clinical care. At the event, Dr. Stephen Rowe, Vice President of Hearing Health and Innovation at Sonova Group, shared from a global perspective the pathways for integrating AI technology with hearing health. It analyzed the application of DNN deep learning in speech enhancement and unveiled Phonak’s next-generation flagship AI hearing aid technology, drawing widespread attention from the experts in attendance.

Wang Shuo, Professor, Director of the Office of the National Technical Guidance Group for Preventing and Treating Deafness, and Deputy Director of the Beijing Institute of Otolaryngology, discussed in her keynote address the current status and future of hearing health in China. She pointed out that China has a large base of people with hearing disabilities, and with the intensification of population aging, hearing rehabilitation issues among older adults are particularly prominent. Professor Wang Shuo emphasized: “In the future, our focus will be on building a tiered hearing health service network that covers the entire lifecycle. Among them, auditory speech rehabilitation for older adults is crucial. It can not only improve auditory function, but also slow down cognitive function decline, forming a virtuous cycle. We hope that with the support of artificial intelligence technology, this rehabilitation training can become more home-based and more convenient, truly benefiting every older person who needs it.”

This symposium also serves as a showcase for cutting-edge technologies. As an early mover in AI hearing technology, Phonak has recently launched a hearing aid platform equipped with a new-generation DNN deep neural network chip, as well as the Phonak KUN KUN AI-in-ear smart terminal. With outstanding intelligent noise reduction and speech enhancement capabilities, they analyze and adapt to complex hearing environments in real time, and the experience segment at the event received high praise from the experts present, truly reflecting the meaning of “AI for Good.” At the same time, Phonak also presented an end-to-end AI hearing application experience covering everything from screening to intelligent rehabilitation.

(Editor: Guo Jiandong)

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