The world is a noisy place. And the nature of that noise puts each of us at risk for hearing loss.

“Many of us are aware that military veterans often live with noise-related hearing loss,” said Gretchen Dueñas-Tanbonliong, MS, MPH, RDN, Associate Director of Health and Wellness at NCOA. “Things like artillery fire and fighter jet takeoffs—they’re the reason why hearing loss is the most common service-connected disability in the U.S. Still, millions of us also have noise-related hearing loss that can’t be explained this way.”

As it turns out, more than half of U.S. adults with hearing damage didn’t get it from a noisy workplace.¹ Over time, exposure to things that don’t even strike us as loud—like washing machines or driving on the highway—can threaten our hearing.¹

“Being educated about our hearing health empowers us to keep what we have and protect against future damage—whether due to noise or some other reason,” Tanbonliong said.

In this article, we take a deep dive into hearing loss statistics to help get you started. What causes hearing loss? How common is it? And who does it affect?

Keep reading for informative and fun facts about hearing, hearing loss, hearing aids, and more.

How common is hearing loss?

Very common. So common, in fact, that the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) identifies it as a growing public health crisis.²

It’s easy to see why. As many as 1 in 7 people in the United States lives with some form of it.² This includes 1 in 3 adults between the ages of 65–74, and nearly 1 in 2 adults age 75 and older.³

Still, there are other types of hearing loss beyond presbycusis (age-related hearing loss). A recent study revealed that 1 in 8 adolescents will experience signs of hearing damage by age 18.⁴

Hearing loss by the numbers: Prevalence by age

Speaking of age groups, you may be curious about how hearing loss affects each one. This simple table breaks it down:

Source: Our World in Data

Hearing loss in children and young adults

Among the younger demographic, “leisure noise” is a particular—and alarming—concern. According to the World Health Organization, more than one billion young adults are at risk of permanent hearing loss because of it.⁵ One long-term German study examined noise exposure and adolescent listening habits for ten years beginning in Grade 9. Initial results reveal that unsafe listening habits—including using personal listening devices (earbuds) and attending loud concerts and clubs without ear protection—are largely to blame.⁶ A different study of Croatian youth drew similar conclusions.⁷ This points to the urgent need for early intervention and behavioral change.

Hearing loss risk factors

No one is immune from hearing loss. That said, certain occupations, activities, and behaviors make it more likely to occur. So can factors beyond our control. Consider that:

• Age is the number one predictor of hearing loss.⁸ By the time we reach age 75, nearly half of us will experience difficulty hearing.³
• Noise is another top cause of hearing loss, no matter our age.⁵ This includes one-time exposure to intense sound and frequent exposure to noise at or above 85 decibels.⁹
• Diabetes increases the risk for hearing loss. Hearing loss is twice as common in those with diabetes as it is for those without.
• Genes can play a role. Research shows that up to 60% of hearing loss cases may be genetic.¹¹ And genes might influence presbycusis between 35%–55% of the time.¹²
• Viral infections can cause sudden or progressive hearing loss, in one or both ears.¹³ This can be mild to severe, and temporary to permanent.
• Some prescription and over-the-counter medications potentially can damage the inner ear—including certain antibiotics, cancer drugs, diuretics, and even aspirin.¹⁴

Preventing hearing loss

It may surprise you to know that noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is the only type that’s fully preventable.¹⁵

Still, that doesn’t mean hearing loss is inevitable. There are many things we can do to protect the hearing we do have and—in some cases—recover some of the loss.

These include:

• Getting a baseline hearing assessment and annual follow-ups. This can help identify subsequent hearing loss sooner and get the most appropriate treatment for it.¹⁶
• Wearing ear protection in loud environments. Experts advise choosing the option most comfortable for you that also effectively reduces noise to below 85 decibels.¹⁷
• Staying up-to-date on recommended vaccinations. Common viruses including measles, influenza, shingles, and more are linked to hearing loss.¹³
• Addressing ear wax. Impacted build-up can block the inner ear and cause conducive hearing loss.18 Proper cleaning can restore your hearing and keep it there.
• Seeking emergency attention for any rapid, unexplained deafness. Sudden sensorineural hearing loss (SSHL) often can successfully be treated in its early stage.¹⁹
• Wearing hearing aids. These devices protect your brain’s ability to process sound, effectively bypassing any noise or age-related damage to the inner ear.²⁰

(Don’t have hearing aids yet but think you could benefit? Our hearing aid buyers guide covers everything you need to know about types, features, cost, and how and where to shop).

Hearing health and impact

Hearing well allows us to fully participate and find satisfaction in our everyday lives, interactions, and relationships. On the other hand, untreated hearing loss can negatively affect our physical, mental, and emotional health. Consider that:

• Hearing loss and balance are closely related. Even mild hearing loss can triple our risk for falls21; and recent falls facts and statistics show how life-altering this can be.
• Fear of falling creates barriers to exercise. In addition to obesity, cardiovascular disease, bone loss, and other impacts, being sedentary can lead to depression.²²
• Hearing loss and anxiety also are tightly linked. Worries over misinterpreting other people or saying the wrong thing can cause social anxiety, withdrawal, and loneliness.²³
• Hearing loss can predispose us to schizophrenia. Researchers think this may be due to prolonged social isolation and its effect on the dopamine system.²⁴
• Hearing and cognitive function are connected. Mild hearing loss doubles our dementia risk; moderate hearing loss triples it; and severe hearing loss creates 5x greater risk.²⁵
• Poor hearing can send you to the hospital. A retroactive study of adults with heart failure found higher hospitalization rates among those with untreated hearing loss.²⁶

Recognizing the signs of hearing loss and seeking prompt attention is therefore vital to our well-being and quality of life. But it’s not always easy to bring the topic up when we notice hearing loss in others. Find useful tips for talking about hearing loss that can help you start the conversation.

Hearing loss and dementia

Speaking of cognitive function: ongoing research suggests that hearing loss could be a leading modifiable risk factor for developing Alzheimer’s and other dementias.²⁷ Further, according to the Aging and Cognitive Health Evaluation in Elders (ACHIEVE) Study:

• Dementia, like hearing loss, is a growing public health crisis. By 2050, it's estimated 1 in 30 Americans will be living with some form of it.²⁸
• Hearing loss forces the brain to work harder; left untreated, the chronic mental and cognitive stress ages the brain faster and negatively impacts thought and memory.²⁸
• Among older adults at risk for cognitive decline, hearing loss intervention effectively put the brakes on loss of thinking and memory abilities by 48% over three years.²⁹
• Hearing aids offer a low-risk, high-reward treatment option for slowing cognitive decline among older adults at risk for it.²⁹

Hearing aids and the treatment gap

Still, hearing aids are expensive and original Medicare doesn’t cover them. (Notably, if your health care provider believes your hearing loss might be due to an underlying medical condition, Medicare Part B will pay for a diagnostic hearing exam and balance assessment). Here are some more facts about hearing aids, barriers to access, and gaps in treatment:

• In an effort to address the cost of hearing aids, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration introduced a new rule in 2022 to allow the sale of over-the-counter (OTC) devices.
• Some of the best OTC hearing aids can cost as little as $100, depending on where you buy them. Some of the best hearing aids by prescription start around $3,000.
• Only 40% of primary care providers in the U.S. believe that hearing loss is treatable. Even fewer—17%—think it’s preventable.³⁰
• Whether because of cost, provider belief, lack of individual knowledge about hearing loss or all three, up to 75% of adults with age-related hearing loss go untreated.³⁰
• Hearing aid stigma—including the appearance of wearing them—is a significant deterrent for many older adults.³¹

(Invisible hearing aids can address this last concern).

Tinnitus facts and statistics

What is tinnitus? It can sound like a high-pitched whine, ringing, buzzing, or even pulsing in your head. Most commonly, only the person experiencing it can hear it; this is “subjective tinnitus.” Rarely, a health care provider can detect it with a stethoscope; this is “objective tinnitus.” Tinnitus is not a health condition on its own but rather a symptom of something else. Often, this “something else” is hearing loss. Here are some other facts about tinnitus:

• As many as 1 in 5 older adults experiences tinnitus.³² And of those who do, 1 in 10 report that it interferes with their daily lives.³²
• In the U.S., tinnitus is associated with underlying hearing loss 90% of the time.³³
• Together with hearing loss, tinnitus is the most common service-related disability among U.S. military veterans; 2.3 million receive disability compensation for it.³⁴
• Tinnitus and high blood pressure also are linked. One study found that among people with tinnitus lasting at least three months, nearly 45% also had arterial hypertensio
• Left untreated, tinnitus—as with hearing loss itself—can lead to communication difficulties, anxiety, depression, and even cognitive decline.³⁶
• Hearing aids for tinnitus can be remarkably effective. One retrospective analysis of related research studies found that 68% of them supported positive tinnitus relief.³⁷

Cochlear implant facts and statistics

Cochlear implants are surgically placed hearing devices. They work best for people with severe to profound sensorineural hearing loss that no longer responds well to traditional hearing aids.

• Worldwide, more than one million people have cochlear implants. As of July 2022 in the U.S., over 118,000 adults and 65,000 children have received them.³⁸
• Among adults with cochlear implants, 97% reported significantly improved speech recognition after 12 months compared to traditional hearing aids.³⁹
• In addition to restored hearing, research shows that cochlear implants positively affect neurocognitive performance and quality of life, particularly in people age 65 and over.⁴⁰
• Globally, the percentage of profoundly deaf adults and children who are eligible for cochlear implants and actually receive them is low: 2.5% on average.⁴¹
• Cochlear implants are expensive. According to health financing company CareCredit, it can cost an average of $51,072 to get them in the U.S.⁴²

Fun and surprising facts about hearing

• Babies can hear even before they’re born.⁴³ At 1 month, they can recognize familiar sounds. By age 3 months, they can respond.⁴⁴
• The human ear can process sound in as few as 0.05 seconds.⁴⁵
• We can hear things much faster than we see them: between 20-100 times faster, according to neuroscientists.⁴⁶
• Our brains still process sounds when we’re asleep. We just don’t know it unless subconsciously perceived danger from those sounds wakes us up.⁴⁷
• Certain sounds have a healing effect on our bodies and minds. Music, singing bowls, bells, and other instruments can help address pain, anxiety, depression, and more.⁴⁸

FAQ

How common is hearing loss?
There are three types of hearing loss and together, they’re remarkably common. Close to 15% of people in the U.S. have some form of hearing loss; that percentage rises to 33% of adults age 65–74, and nearly 50% of those age 75 and above.

What type of hearing loss is most common?
According to the American Speech-Language Hearing Association (ASHA), sensorineural hearing loss is the most common type of permanent hearing loss. Sensorineural loss happens because of inner ear damage. It can be related to age, noise exposure, certain medications, or hereditary factors.

What is the 60-60 rule in audiology?
Worldwide, as many as 1 billion young people are in danger of permanent hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices—including earbud use. The 60-60 rule can help mitigate the risk of so-called “leisure noise.” Experts recommend limiting sound exposure to 60% of its maximum volume and listening for only 60 minutes at a time.⁴⁹

Which gender is more affected by hearing loss?
According to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, hearing loss—among those age 20-69—is twice as common in people who are assigned male at birth than those who are assigned female. The reasons aren’t completely clear but likely are related to occupation, military service, and noisy recreational activities.

Sources

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