银发经济遇上声音经济：中老年人因何爱上声音？

Core Viewpoint - The increasing interest of middle-aged and elderly individuals in voice-related activities, such as voice acting and audio storytelling, is driven by personal interests, skill development, and social engagement [1][8]. Group 1: Individual Experiences - A 73-year-old participant, Ms. Yu, discovered the charm of reciting poetry after hearing a poem that resonated with her, leading her to enroll in voice training to regain her speaking abilities post-surgery [2][3]. - Ms. Chen, a retired manager, pursued her childhood passion for recitation by joining a voice training program, eventually becoming a voice broadcaster with over 200 followers on an audio platform [5][6]. - Ms. Zhang, aged 68, found that reciting poetry not only brought her joy but also allowed her to connect with her 5-year-old grandson through storytelling, enhancing their relationship [7]. Group 2: Market Trends - The "silver economy" and "voice economy" are emerging industries, with the elderly population in China projected to reach 310.31 million by the end of 2024, highlighting the growing market for both material and spiritual needs [8]. - The online audio user base in China is expected to reach 540 million by 2024, with the voice economy market projected to grow by 10.2% year-on-year, reaching 568.82 billion yuan [8]. - The voice acting industry in China had a market size of 6.48 billion yuan in 2022, expanding into areas such as advertising voiceovers and audiobooks [8]. Group 3: Educational Insights - Voice training courses for adults, particularly among the elderly, are gaining popularity, driven by a desire for social interaction and mental engagement rather than just skill enhancement [9]. - A voice training instructor noted that learning voice acting provides a fresh and challenging experience for older adults, helping to alleviate feelings of loneliness post-retirement [9].