The rapid aging of the population is a major problem in developed nations. This makes the problem of age-related hearing loss more acute. One in nine people has age-related hearing loss in Japan, but around half of them are unaware of the symptoms. This is because people are unwilling to see a doctor just for a hearing test. Our challenge was to help people detect hearing loss in its early stages.

Our big idea was to create an opportunity to notice changes in hearing, even for those who do not see a doctor for a hearing test. In order to make it happen, we created the idea of crafting a new hearing test experience that allows people to use the birdsongs of wild birds to check their hearing.

When age-related hearing loss occurs, firstly high-pitched sounds become inaudible. This makes some birdsongs difficult for the elderly to hear due to the high pitch of their sound. We focused on this fact and turned birdsongs into a hearing check tool.

To help people find wild birds and check their hearing easily, we created a mobile app that utilizes GPS data, geographic data, and bird habitat data to detect nearby wild birds. If an elderly person cannot hear the birdsongs clearly, it is a sign that they should see a doctor.

The app covered a massive area - over 18,000 mountains and more than 12,500 lakes, providing ample hearing test points. Sales of Panasonic’s hearing instruments increased by 26% compared with the same month one year earlier.