Starkey has reiterated the regional availability of the world’s first AI hearing aids with a balance assessment feature embedded directly in the device. The company’s Edge AI platform, launched in January 2025 in Dubai, highlights the link between untreated hearing loss and elevated fall risk. It also demonstrates how advanced hearing technology can support proactive, whole-person care.

The balance assessment feature is based on the CDC’s STEADI initiative. It includes a 12-question screening and functional checks of gait, strength, and balance, all administered through the hearing aid. This innovation complements Starkey’s industry-leading fall detection technology, designed to address one of the most pressing health risks for older adults today.

Giscard Bechara, Regional Director for Starkey Middle East & Africa, said, “By embedding motion sensors and AI into our hearing aids, we are turning them into health and safety companions. They can screen balance, detect falls, and provide clinicians with actionable insights alongside premium sound.” He added that the technology helps protect independence and reduces stress for patients and families.

In the Middle East, integrated hearing–balance solutions are increasingly necessary. Over 22 million people in the WHO Eastern Mediterranean Region already live with disabling hearing loss, a number expected to exceed 52 million by 2050. The region’s aging population is also rising, with people aged 60+ projected to make up 15% of the population by mid-century, and nearly 20% in the GCC. In the UAE, studies show falls are a leading cause of trauma among older adults, emphasizing the need for systematic screening and prevention.

Globally, falls are the second leading cause of unintentional injury deaths, with older adults most affected. Studies show that hearing loss significantly increases the odds of falling, highlighting the importance of hearing technology with balance assessment and fall prevention.

• Starkey hearing aids guide users through validated balance screenings using onboard motion sensors and AI.
• Results, combined with fall detection, help hearing care professionals flag risks and coordinate referrals.
• The features are available through Starkey MEA partner clinics, with device compatibility and availability varying by country.

Patients and caregivers can contact authorized partners to book a combined hearing and balance screening.

Related post

View all