Approximately 10% of the U.S. population has significant hearing loss. Learn about the most common types of hearing loss and how hearing aids can help with hearing loss from HearingAidHelp.com
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Facts about hearing disorders

Who has hearing loss

Approximately 28 million people in the U.S. alone, or about 10% of its population, have significant hearing loss; and 120 million people worldwide have this same problem. More than 30% of people over 65 have some type of hearing loss, and 14% of the population between ages 45 and 64 have hearing loss. Close to 8 million people between the ages of 18 and 44 and 7 million children have hearing loss. Sensorineural damage, often referred to as nerve deafness, is the most common form of hearing loss.

Why most hearing disorders are left untreated

Hearing aids can offer dramatic improvements for approximately 95% of hearing losses. Unfortunately, many hearing disorders are left untreated because:

  • Only 16% of physicians routinely screen for hearing loss.

  • Prejudice and embarrassment from experiencing hearing loss prevent close to 15 million from getting help.

  • An estimated 7 million cannot afford hearing aids.

Most common hearing disorders

  • Otitis media (ear infection) the most common cause of temporary hearing loss, affects 70% of all infants and young children.

  • Presbycusis is a high frequency hearing loss that occurs with advancing age.

  • Tinnitus (ringing in the ears) affects 50 million people. For 12 million people, tinnitus is so severe that they are incapacitated. Almost 70% of those who have tinnitus also have hearing loss.

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Types of hearing loss

Conductive hearing loss
Sensorineural hearing loss
Mixed hearing loss
Levels of hearing loss
Hearing loss questionnaire

Articles on hearing loss

Understanding hearing loss
Common myths about hearing disorders
Family guide to hearing loss

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