Abstract

Over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids offer a cost-effective solution for adults with mild-to-moderate hearing loss, whereas their market penetration remains low despite regulatory support and technological advancements. In this paper, we analyze OTC hearing aid patients’ behavior and experiences of integrating them into sustainable healthcare logistics across China. As an econometric toolkit, we use multiple linear regression models for the purpose of predictive modeling and hearing aid policy formulation. The focus is on patient awareness and attitudes towards the role of corporate social responsibility (CSR) in shaping sustainable purchase decisions. This study also examines the challenges related to insufficient Chinese hearing-impaired patients’ understanding of some trusted sales channels (TSCs) like digitization-driven platforms. The outcomes show that CSR initiatives increase purchase intention. In contrast, we observe that reliance on non-traditional TSCs may be associated with failure to build patient confidence in comparison with hospital-recommended brands of OTC hearing aids. From a strategic healthcare economic perspective, we highlight the potential of the healthcare market with a growing aging population and rising demand for equitable hearing solutions. The transferable framework provides insights for policymakers regarding healthcare accessibility and affordability in China to bridge the gap between market offerings and patient needs.

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