Hearing loss in the U.S. - Statistics & Facts

Hearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear. Hearing loss can be temporary or permanent and can be sudden or develop gradually over time. Degrees of hearing loss can range from mild or moderate to severe or profound. The prevalence of hearing loss in the U.S. affects around 10.6 percent of the population, compared to 12.1 percent of the population in Germany and eight percent of those in Switzerland.

In children, hearing problems may affect the ability to learn spoken language and in the U.S., testing for poor hearing is typically recommended for all newborns. Adult hearing loss can be associated with increasing age, sex, race or ethnicity, as well as educational level. Age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss among adults in the U.S. and men are almost twice as likely as women to experience a loss in hearing.

Hearing loss may be hereditary, part of the aging process or be triggered by over-exposure to excessive noise. In the U.S., 17.8 percent of adults who reported exposure to very loud noise at work for over five years experienced a loss in hearing. Other factors that induce hearing loss may include: birth complications, viral or bacterial infections, injury and physical trauma to the ear or head, as well as the negative effects of certain medications or toxins.

Hearing aids, surgical treatments, and other assistive devices are used to improve the ability to hear when hearing loss occurs. There are over 12,000 audiologists and almost 7,000 hearing aid specialists currently practicing in the U.S. Some of the most prominent hearing aid companies based on U.S. sales include: Sonova, William Demant and GN Resound. Between 2015 and 2016, approximately 75,000 individuals with hearing impairments between the ages of 3 and 21 were served under the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA).

This text provides general information. Statista assumes no liability for the information given being complete or correct. Due to varying update cycles, statistics can display more up-to-date data than referenced in the text.
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Hearing loss prevalence in Germany in 2014-2015

12.1%

Percentage of adults with a lot of trouble hearing in 2016

2.2%
Global Overview
Hearing loss prevalence in Germany in 2014-2015 12.1% Percentage of hearing impaired people that used a hearing aid in Switzerland in 2014-2015 41.4% Percentage of people in the United Kingdom that were satisfied with their hearing aid in 2014-2015 70%
U.S. Overview
Percentage of adults with a lot of trouble hearing in 2016 2.2% Percentage of men whose hearing loss was due to long-term noise exposure as of 2014 35.6% Percentage of women whose hearing loss was due to age as of 2014 45.3%
Demographics
Percentage of those 65 years and older with hearing loss in 2016 7.8% Percentage of adults in the midwest region with hearing loss in 2016 2.3%
Noise-induced Hearing Loss
Percentage of U.S. males with noise-induced hearing loss in 2011-2012 31.6% Percentage of U.S. males with hearing loss related to work noise exposure in 2011-2013 39.1%
Professionals
Percentage of U.S. adults aged 18 to 39 years that saw a doctor for hearing problems in 2014 38.1% Number of audiologists in the U.S. in 2018 13,300 Number of hearing aid specialists in the U.S. in 2018 7,680
U.S. Market
Annual percentage growth in the hearing aid market in 2016 10.6% Percentage of hearing aid sales attributable to small or independent businesses in 2015 50%

Hearing loss in the U.S. - Important statistics

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The whole topic in one document

Hearing loss in the U.S.
  • Edited and prepared
  • Download in PPT/PDF format
  • Instant access
  • From $365
View dossier
Global Overview
Hearing loss prevalence in Germany in 2014-2015 12.1% Percentage of hearing impaired people that used a hearing aid in Switzerland in 2014-2015 41.4% Percentage of people in the United Kingdom that were satisfied with their hearing aid in 2014-2015 70%
U.S. Overview
Percentage of adults with a lot of trouble hearing in 2016 2.2% Percentage of men whose hearing loss was due to long-term noise exposure as of 2014 35.6% Percentage of women whose hearing loss was due to age as of 2014 45.3%
Demographics
Percentage of those 65 years and older with hearing loss in 2016 7.8% Percentage of adults in the midwest region with hearing loss in 2016 2.3%
Noise-induced Hearing Loss
Percentage of U.S. males with noise-induced hearing loss in 2011-2012 31.6% Percentage of U.S. males with hearing loss related to work noise exposure in 2011-2013 39.1%
Professionals
Percentage of U.S. adults aged 18 to 39 years that saw a doctor for hearing problems in 2014 38.1% Number of audiologists in the U.S. in 2018 13,300 Number of hearing aid specialists in the U.S. in 2018 7,680
U.S. Market
Annual percentage growth in the hearing aid market in 2016 10.6% Percentage of hearing aid sales attributable to small or independent businesses in 2015 50%

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