How Common Is Hearing Loss?

Statistical Trends of Hearing Loss in the United States

Hearing loss becomes more common as people age, with those aged 60-69 experiencing the highest rates. A 2023 survey revealed that nearly two-thirds of adults aged 71 and older live with hearing loss. By age 90, it affects 96.2% of individuals.

Hearing ability declines significantly with age. Among adults aged 71-74, 46.6% retained normal hearing, while 1.8% experienced severe or profound loss. In contrast, for those aged 90 and above, only 3.8% had normal hearing, and 21.8% faced severe or greater loss. These trends highlight the growing impact of hearing loss on older adults in the U.S.

Most Common Causes of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss can happen for various reasons, but two of the most common causes are exposure to loud sounds and age-related changes.

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Excessive noise exposure is a leading cause of hearing damage. Long-term workplace exposure also plays a role. Among adults aged 20-69 exposed to loud noise at work for over five years, 18% develop hearing loss compared to 5.5% with no such exposure.

Furthermore, personal listening devices and loud events, like concerts, expose nearly 50% of people aged 12-35 to dangerous sound levels.

• Nearly 20% of noise-exposed workers in the U.S. experience significant hearing impairment.
• Some industries, like hydroelectric power generation (37%) and steam/air-conditioning supply (29%), have even higher rates.

Age-Related Hearing Loss

This is a gradual hearing decline medically known as presbycusis that naturally occurs with age. It often starts with difficulty hearing high-frequency sounds. This type of loss usually affects both ears simultaneously, making conversations more challenging and creating trouble hearing softer sounds.

Drug-Induced Hearing Loss

Certain medications, especially aminoglycoside antibiotics and chemotherapy drugs like cisplatin, can harm hearing and they are harmful for the sensory hair cells. Studies reveal that hearing loss occurs in about 20% of patients using these medications, with rates as high as 56% in individuals with cystic fibrosis due to repeated treatments.

Main Types of Hearing Loss

Hearing loss comes in three primary forms:

Sensorineural Hearing Loss

This is the most common type of hearing loss, caused by damage to the cochlea (inner ear) or the vestibulocochlear nerve.

When the inner ear’s sensory hair cells or auditory nerve are compromised, it disrupts the transmission of sound signals to the brain. it can develop gradually due to factors like aging, noisy environments, or medical conditions.

Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss (SSHL)

This occurs unexpectedly, typically over a 72-hour period, and often affects just one ear. While it’s rare, sudden hearing loss is significant, with an estimated 4,000 new cases annually in the U.S., or about 1 in 5,000 people each year.

SSHL may also bring symptoms like dizziness or ringing in the ear (tinnitus). While it can happen at any age, adults between 50 and 60 years old are most affected.

Conductive Hearing Loss

Conductive hearing loss occurs when sound cannot travel properly through the outer ear to reach the inner ear. Unlike sensorineural hearing loss, the cochlea itself remains unaffected, but the sound is blocked or muffled due to mechanical issues. This is not a case of permanent hearing loss and accounts for 5-15% of all cases.

• Common Causes Include:
  • Earwax build-up: A simple blockage can prevent sound waves from entering the ear canal.
  • Infections or fluid build-up: Often seen in the middle ear, ear infections like otitis media can cause temporary hearing problems.
  • Structural issues: Damage to the eardrum or bones of the middle ear can also obstruct sound transmission.

Mixed Hearing Loss

Mixed hearing loss combines elements of both sensorineural and conductive hearing loss, making it more complex to treat. It occurs when damage exists in both the outer or middle ear and the inner ear or auditory nerve. People experience hearing loss through bone conduction (vibrations reaching the cochlea) and even greater loss through air conduction (sounds traveling through the ear canal).

The causes for mixed hearing loss often include a combination of age-related damage and temporary blockages, like fluid or earwax. Mixed hearing loss requires a dual approach to treatment, addressing both the conductive and sensorineural aspects.

Prevalence of Hearing Loss in the U.S.

Hearing loss affects many across the U.S., but the prevalence varies significantly based on location and lifestyle factors. Rural areas and specific industries see higher rates compared to urban regions.

Regional Differences

People living in rural areas of America face a greater risk of hearing loss compared to those in urban settings.

• West Virginia has the highest prevalence at 18%, followed by states like Maine, Montana, Wyoming, and Vermont, all exceeding 15%.
• States with the lowest rates include Utah, Maryland, and New Jersey, where fewer than 10% of residents experience hearing loss. Washington, D.C. reports the lowest prevalence at 6.2%.

Counties classified as completely rural with fewer than 2,500 urban residents and not near metropolitan areas report a hearing loss rate of 19.8%, nearly double the rate in large metropolitan counties is 9.7%

Gender-based Differences

Hearing loss affects men and women differently, with men being nearly twice as likely as women to experience it between the ages of 20 and 69. Overall, 69.7% of men in this age group report hearing loss, compared to 61.6% of women.

However, the gap narrows with an increase in age. Among those aged 71 to 75, hearing loss impacts 59.5% of men and 46.5% of women. This trend highlights how gender and age both play a role in hearing health.

Gender Comparison of Hearing Loss by Age (USA, 2016)

The Impact of Hearing Loss on Older Americans

Hearing loss affects more than just your ability to hear. It can significantly impact overall health conditions, mental well-being, and daily life for older adults.

• Health Implications: Hearing loss often leads to tinnitus, a persistent ringing or buzzing in the ears. Around 14.4% of adults globally experience tinnitus, with 2% suffering from severe forms and 10% dealing with chronic cases lasting over three months. Loud workplace noise increases the risk of tinnitus, with around 16 million Americans seeking medical help for it annually.
• Mental Health Challenges: Older adults with hearing loss are 47% more likely to experience depression compared to those with normal hearing, according to the National Council on Aging. For individuals who are already struggling with mental health issues, hearing loss can intensify symptoms, creating additional barriers to maintaining emotional health.
• Impact on Quality of Life: Hearing loss often disrupts daily activities like walking or reading, making even simple tasks more challenging. Among adults aged 52 and older with moderate to severe hearing loss, 28% report difficulties in daily life. In contrast, only 7.3% of their peers without hearing loss face similar struggles.

Solutions for Hearing Loss in the U.S.

Many individuals delay seeking help for hearing loss, with some waiting up to 10 years after noticing mild symptoms. Only about one-third of those who report hearing loss ever undergo testing, and approximately 15% of eligible individuals consistently use hearing aids due to cost, usability challenges, and stigma.

However, early diagnosis and the use of assistive devices can make a profound difference.

Diagnosis

Accurate diagnosis is the first step toward managing hearing loss. It requires collaboration between healthcare professionals, including general practitioners, otolaryngologists, audiologists, and speech therapists.

• Hearing Tests: Pure-tone audiometry is a key diagnostic tool. The hearing screening uses air and bone conduction signals to determine hearing thresholds, helping differentiate between conductive and sensorineural hearing loss.
• Comprehensive Evaluation: A full audiologic assessment often includes tests for speech perception in quiet and with background noise, as well as additional tests like tympanometry, acoustic reflexes, otoacoustic emissions, and auditory evoked potentials.
• Specialized Referrals: Patients showing signs of hearing loss should be referred to an audiologist for detailed testing and personalized recommendations.

Assistive Devices

Assistive devices are critical in improving the quality of life for individuals with hearing loss.

Hearing Aids

According to CDC, as of 2019, 7.1% of adults aged 45 and older used hearing aids, with higher adoption among men. Despite their benefits, many hesitate due to costs or perceived inconvenience. this is because over-the-counter hearing aids range from $200 to $1,000, while conventional models cost between $800 and $4,000.

Cochlear Implants

Cochlear implants are an option for individuals with severe hearing loss who see limited improvement with traditional hearing aids. Unlike hearing aids, these devices bypass non-functioning parts of the inner ear to directly stimulate the hearing nerve.

As of July 2022, over 118,100 cochlear implants have been placed in adults and 65,000 in children in the U.S., according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Globally, more than 1 million devices have been implanted.

Bottom Line

Hearing loss impacts millions of Americans, with 48 million experiencing it to some degree and 1 in 3 people over 65 facing this challenge. Severe or profound hearing loss affects 6.6 million individuals, predominantly those over 60. Overall, 38.2 million Americans have hearing loss in both ears, while 60.7 million struggle with it in at least one ear.

Key factors contributing to hearing loss include age, noise exposure, and certain medical conditions or medications. Rural areas and high-risk industries report significantly higher rates compared to urban settings. Gender-based differences persist, with men nearly twice as likely as women to develop hearing loss before age 70, although this gap narrows with age.

Solutions like early diagnosis, hearing aids, and cochlear implants are vital. Despite barriers like cost and stigma, advances in assistive devices and increased awareness can improve the quality of life for those affected.

Fair Use Statement

Readers can share these findings for noncommercial purposes only and must provide a link back to this page at RetirementLiving.com.

Sources

1. Hoffman, H. J., Dobie, R. A., Losonczy, K. G., Themann, C. L., & Flamme, G. A. Declining Prevalence of Hearing Loss in US Adults Aged 20 to 69 Years. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here
2. Jarach, C. M., Lugo, A., Scala, M., van den Brandt, P. A., Cederroth, C. R., Odone, A., Garavello, W., Schlee, W., Langguth, B., & Gallus, S. Global Prevalence and Incidence of Tinnitus: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Neurology. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here
3. Dalton, D. S., Cruickshanks, K. J., Klein, B. E. K., Klein, R., Wiley, T. L., & Nondahl, D. M.  The impact of hearing loss on quality of life in older adults. The Gerontologist. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here
4. Bhatt, J. M., Lin, H. W., & Bhattacharyya, N. Prevalence, Severity, Exposures, and Treatment Patterns of Tinnitus in the United States. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here
5. Hearing Loss Facts and Demographics. Hearing Loss Association of America. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here

6. Reed, N., Morales, E., et al. Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use Among US Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 71 Years and Older. JAMA Network Open. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here

7.  Hearing Difficulties Among Adults: United States, 2019. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here

8. Masterson, E. A., & Themann, C. L. Prevalence of Hearing Loss Among Noise-Exposed US Workers Within the Utilities Sector, 2010-2019. Journal of Occupational and Environmental Medicine. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here

9. Sensorineural Hearing Loss. American Academy of Audiology. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
   Link here

10. The Diagnostic and Treatment Dilemma of Sudden Sensorineural Hearing Loss. The Hearing Review. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

11.  Understanding Hearing Loss. UNC Hearing and Communication Center. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

12.  Hearing Loss & Tinnitus Statistics. Hearing Health Foundation. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

13. Garinis, A. C., Cross, C. P., Srikanth, P., et al. The cumulative effects of intravenous antibiotic treatments on hearing in patients with cystic fibrosis. Journal of Cystic Fibrosis. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

14.  Cunningham, L. L., & Tucci, D. L. Hearing Loss in Adults. New England Journal of Medicine. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

15. Percent of Population affected by Any Hearing Loss. Sound Check. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

16. Hearing Loss and Mental Health. National Council on Aging. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

17. Mahboubi, H., Lin, H. W., & Bhattacharyya, N.  Prevalence, Characteristics, and Treatment Patterns of Hearing Difficulty in the United States. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

18. Audiology clinical practice algorithms and statements. Joint Audiology Committee on Clinical Practice. Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

19. Walker, J. J., Cleveland, L. M., Davis, J. L., & Seales, J. S.. Audiometry screening and interpretation. American Family Physician.  Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

20. Davis, A., Smith, P., Ferguson, M., Stephens, D., & Gianopoulos, I. Acceptability, benefit and costs of early screening for hearing disability. Health Technology Assessment.  Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

21.  Michels, T. C., Duffy, M. T., & Rogers, D. J. Hearing Loss in Adults: Differential Diagnosis and Treatment. American Family Physician.  Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

22.  Zeng, F.-G. Celebrating the one millionth cochlear implant. JASA Express Letters.  Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here

23.  Quick Statistics About Hearing, Balance, & Dizziness. NIDCD.  Evaluated December 28, 2024.
    Link here