Open Access
Hearing loss, the inability to perceive sounds within the normal range, is almost inevitable with aging. Among Americans 80 years and older, more than 90% have hearing loss in at least one ear, and over 81% have hearing loss in both ears.
This shows it’s more common to lose hearing than to maintain it at that age. Hearing aids, despite being the go-to solution for better communication, remain underutilized by many adults. As manufacturers introduce more discreet designs, enhance digital tech, and expand over-the-counter options, experts predict the market will grow at a 6.78% annual rate from 2024 to 2030.
Key Insights
Around 60.7 million Americans ages 12 and older have hearing loss in at least one ear, and nearly 38.2 million have hearing loss in both ears.
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Only about 29.2% of adults with hearing loss aged 71 years and older use hearing aids.
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Hearing aids can cost anywhere from $199 to $8,000 each. The price varies by hearing aid style and technological capabilities.
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Around 25% of older adults have some degree of hearing loss, and only 1 in 10 Americans self-report difficulty hearing.
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The global hearing aids market size was $7.96 billion in 2023 and is expected to grow to $12.57 billion by 2030.
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How Common is Hearing Loss in the U.S.?
About 60.7 million people in the U.S. ages 12 and older have hearing loss in at least one ear, and almost 38.2 million have hearing loss in both ears, which is known as bilateral hearing loss. That’s 22.7% and 14.3% of the population, respectively. Hearing loss ranks third among chronic health conditions among seniors in the U.S.
Unsurprisingly, the prevalence of hearing loss increases with age. Only 0.18% of people ages 12 to 19 have bilateral hearing loss compared to 54.62% of people ages 70 to 79 and 81.47% of people ages 80-plus.
Most people who are hard of hearing have mild hearing loss — only about 2% of 70- to 79-year-olds have profound hearing loss, while nearly 38% said they had mild hearing loss. The 80-and-older cohort is the only age group with a higher prevalence of moderate hearing loss than mild hearing loss.
Hearing Loss Demographics by Age and Race
Based on a study, among adults aged 71+, 65.3% experience hearing loss, equating to about 21.5 million seniors in the U.S. White adults (67%) are more likely to develop hearing impairment compared to Black (55.8%) and Hispanic adults (59.3%).
In terms of gender, men (69.7%) develop hearing loss more than compared to women (61.6%).
Hearing Loss Threshold
According to the World Health Organization (WHO), audiologists define a normal hearing threshold as -10 dB to 20 decibels hearing level, indicating the ability to hear low-level sounds and understand speech clearly in quiet settings.
Here’s a table to understand the hearing loss threshold:
| Grade of Hearing Impairment | Hearing Level (dB HL) | Description |
| Normal Hearing | -10 to 20 dB | Excellent hearing, able to hear whispers and soft sounds. |
| Slight Impairment | 21 to 40 dB | Some difficulty in quiet environments; may require repetition. |
| Moderate Impairment | 41 to 60 dB | Difficulty hearing normal conversations; may need hearing aids. |
| Severe Impairment | 61 to 80 dB | Can only hear loud sounds; significant difficulty in communication. |
| Profound Impairment | 81 dB and above | Unable to hear even loud sounds; may rely on lip-reading or sign language. |
Causes of Hearing Loss
According to the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA), several risk factors contribute to hearing impairment among older adults including:
- Diabetes
- High Blood Pressure
- High Cholesterol
- Cardiovascular Disease
- Sleep Apnea
- Kidney Disease
- Autoimmune Conditions
- Medication Side Effects
A study by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) revealed that about 21 million American adults had noise-induced hearing loss in 2017, which can occur from everyday activities rather than just occupational settings.
Based on the National Health Interview Survey, the following table shows disabling hearing loss in at least one ear among various age groups in the U.S.
How Many Americans Use Hearing Aids or Other Devices?
About 11% of American adults use devices to help them hear. Of this, 6% of people used hearing aids, 2% had cochlear implants and 3% used hearing-assistive technology (like FM systems, hearing loops, and amplified telephones) in 2021, according to a survey by the AHSA.
These devices are commonly employed to manage sensorineural hearing loss, a prevalent type of hearing impairment.
Based on a JAMA study, only about 29.2% of adults with hearing loss aged 71 years and older use hearing aids, even though nearly all experience some level of hearing loss by age 85.
Hearing aid adoption is higher among males (35.1%) compared to females (23.4%) in the U.S.
Why Most Adults with Hearing Loss Don’t Use Hearing Aids
On average, individuals wait about 8 to 10 years after first noticing hearing difficulties before using hearing aids. Various factors might contribute to this delay, including underestimating the impact of hearing loss on daily life.
A study indicates that older adults often report less severe hearing difficulties and perceive fewer activity limitations, which correlates with a lower likelihood of adopting hearing aids. Around 25% of older adults have some degree of hearing loss, and only 1 in 10 Americans self-report difficulty hearing.
In some countries, there may be a desire for a "cure" for hearing loss rather than using assistive devices, which can affect adoption rates. Cultural beliefs and low health literacy also play important roles in preventing older adults from adopting hearing aids.
Types of Hearing Aids
Hearing aids have different sizes, shapes, and amplification capabilities, and each style has its pros and cons. For example, larger hearing aids allow for better amplification and work well for growing children, as they aren’t custom-fitted.
Smaller styles, on the other hand, are more discrete but have weaker amplification, shorter battery life, and can be difficult to adjust.
According to the NIDCD, the main three hearing aid styles are behind the ear (BTE), in the ear (ITE), and the canal (ITC). Details of each are as follows:
- BTE hearing aids are the largest style. These have two parts: a casing that rests behind the ear and an earmold that sits inside and around the ear canal opening. This style can work for all people with hearing loss.
- Open-fit BTE hearing aids swap the earmold for a thin tube and allow the wearer to hear their own voice normally and also prevent earwax buildup.
- ITE hearing aids, the second-largest style, are custom-made to fit around the user’s ear canal opening. People with mild to severe hearing loss can benefit from using this style.
- ITC hearing aids are the smallest and least visible style — they sit inside the ear canal and work best for mild to moderately severe hearing loss.
- Completely-in-canal (CIC) hearing aids are almost invisible, as they sit completely inside the ear canal.
Analog vs. Digital
Analog hearing aids make all sounds louder by converting sound waves into electrical signals, and then amplifying them. Some analog hearing aids have different noise-level settings the user can switch between with the press of a button. They’re typically less expensive, but also less common than digital aids.
Digital hearing aids work by changing sound waves into code and then amplifying sounds according to their programming. They have an unlimited number of settings and can lower background noise, make the user’s voice sound better, and prevent the “buzzing sound” analog hearing aids make with smartphones, according to the Centre for Hearing.
Still, they’re the more expensive option when compared to analog hearing aids.
Over-the-Counter vs. Prescription
The 2017 Over-the-counter (OTC) Hearing Aid Act enables consumers to buy hearing aids without a prescription, similar to cold medicine. In 2022, the FDA permitted some OTC hearing aids to be sold directly in physical stores, pharmacies, and online, aiming to reduce the incidence of untreated mild to moderate hearing loss among adults.
The FDA classifies both OTC and prescription hearing aids as medical devices. While OTC hearing aids can be purchased directly from manufacturers, prescription hearing aids require a clinic visit and a hearing test.
Prescription hearing aids tend to cost more since they include fittings and ongoing adjustments. In contrast, OTC aids are more budget-friendly, with prices likely to decrease further in the coming years.
Hearing Aid vs. Personal Sound Amplifiers (PSAPs)
A study on hearing aids and personal sound amplifiers among those with hearing difficulty indicates:
- 31.2% use hearing aids fitted in person.
- 4.5% use remotely-fitted hearing aids.
- 2.7% use self-fitting hearing aids.
On average, hearing aid users wear their devices for 8.1 hours per day, more than the 4.9 hours reported by users of personal sound amplifiers (PSAPs). Satisfaction with professionally fitted hearing aids is significantly higher (80%) than with PSAPs (25%).
This comparison highlights the importance of professional fittings, which result in greater comfort, usage, and overall satisfaction. While self-fitting and over-the-counter (OTC) devices may be more accessible, professionally fitted hearing aids have higher satisfaction rates.
AI Advancements on Hearing Aids
Many researchers are integrating artificial intelligence into hearing aids to enhance their functionality and user experiences.
A study by Ohio State University found that AI-powered hearing aids improved hearing in noisy environments by 55% and lowered listening effort by 30% over time.
For example, Starkey's Genesis AI hearing aids can analyze over 80 million sounds and make nearly two billion adjustments daily to improve hearing in various situations, such as noisy restaurants or quiet rooms.
How Much Does Hearing Aid Cost?
The price of hearing aids varies by style and technological capabilities. Prescription hearing aids are more expensive, generally costing $1,000 to $8,000 per hearing aid pair, but the price typically includes a fitting, follow-up visits, and device maintenance.
People can purchase hearing aids over the counter from stores such as Walgreens, CVS, and Best Buy because of a Biden administration executive order. These are more affordable, running in the range of about $199 to $3,000.
Hearing Aids Adoption Rates Among Older Adults by Country
This data is derived from the MarkeTrak survey conducted by the Hearing Industries Association and the EuroTrak survey by the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (2000-2022) shows there’s a high adoption rate of hearing aids among older adults aged 65+ in the United States, France, and Germany.
Hearing Aid Market Projections
In 2023, the global hearing aid market size was worth about $7.96 billion, according to a report by Grand View Research, a figure they project to increase to $12.57 billion in 2030.
BTE hearing aids were the most popular style in 2023, making up 40% of the market, but the report forecasts that ITC hearing aid styles will see the most growth from 2024 to 2030. At 93% of the market share, digital hearing aids dominated analog hearing aids — a trend anticipated to continue in the coming years.
Though retail stores made up 71% of the global hearing aids market revenue in 2023, the report projects that e-pharmacy sales will rise as millennials and Gen Z age.
FAQs
What’s the average cost of a hearing aid?
The average cost of a hearing aid is about $4,600, but device type and features account for a wide variance in prices.
How long do hearing aids last?
Experts say hearing aids can last anywhere from three to seven years. Life span can vary based on the style, material, and how frequently the user cleans their hearing aids.
What’s the difference between a hearing aid and a cochlear implant?
Cochlear implants are more invasive than hearing aids — they’re surgically implanted above the outer ear. They signal the auditory nerve directly, as opposed to hearing aids which make sounds louder for wearers. Only those who are severely too profoundly hard of hearing use cochlear implants, according to the NIDCD.
Bottom Line
Age-related hearing loss is common, especially among U.S. adults aged 71 and above, where over 65.3% experience some level of hearing impairment. Despite this, only 29.2% of older adults use hearing aids. Men are more likely to adopt hearing aids than women, with usage rates of 35.1% and 23.4%, respectively.
Untreated hearing loss can lead to social isolation, cognitive decline, and reduced quality of life.
Hearing loss affects 60.7 million Americans, often due to loud noise exposure, occupational demands, or head & neck injuries. Improving access to hearing care is essential. Addressing barriers like cost and awareness by gov organizations can help more people benefit from these solutions, especially as the market is projected to reach $12.57 billion by 2030.
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