How Common Is Hearing Loss?

ASI Beltone - Anna
Aug 15
3 min read

“One in every six adults in the U.S. has hearing loss—are you one of them?”

A Friendly Invitation to Listen Closely (Pun Totally Intended)

Hey there! Grab your favorite beverage, settle in, and let’s have a little chat about a topic that’s surprisingly common—hearing loss. That one-in-six stat is no joke: that's about 16.8% of U.S. adults who say they have trouble hearing without a hearing aid. CDC. Imagine this: in a room of six friends at dinner, there’s a good chance one of them might be straining to keep up with the conversation.

Let’s Dive Into the Numbers

The U.S. Scene—With Backlinks for the Curious

A 2014 CDC/NCHS survey tells us the exact figure: 16.8% of U.S. adults (ages 18+) have some difficulty hearing without a hearing aid. CDC. That’s today’s one-in-six.
Fast-forward to 2019, and the CDC found 13.0% of adults had “some difficulty” even while using a hearing aid—and 1.6% had “a lot of difficulty” or couldn’t hear at all. CDC.
According to Healthy Hearing (updated April 2025), about 15% of American adults report some level of hearing loss—making it more common than diabetes or cancer. Healthy Hearing.

Age Matters (Because, Science)

Hearing loss isn’t evenly distributed—age is a major factor:

Adults 18–39 years: about 5.5% report trouble hearing.
Ages 40–69: up to 19.0% report trouble.
Ages 70+: a whopping 43.2% report hearing difficulties without a hearing aid. CDC.

And let’s talk about presbycusis—fancy name, common condition. It's age-related hearing loss. By 65, 1 in 3 U.S. adults experience it. By 75, it's 1 in 2. Wikipedia.

So yes, hearing gently fades for many of us—it's almost like a rite of passage.

Globally? It's no small thing, either—around 10% of people have some degree of hearing loss. Wikipedia.

Why It Matters—and Why It’s OK to Talk About It

Beyond the numbers, hearing loss often sneaks up on us—and can affect our lives more than we realize:

Social life? Hearing loss is linked with isolation, depression, and even cognitive decline. New York Post Health.
But here’s the kicker: wearing hearing aids might lower risk of early death by 24%—though it’s not proven that they directly cause longer life, the correlation is strong Health.
And yet, many don’t get one. In fact, only ~20% of U.S. adults who could benefit from a hearing aid actually use one. New York Post NIDCD.

So if you've been saying, “Sorry, what?” more often than you’d like—maybe it's time to check in on your hearing and give yourself permission to get help. There’s no shame in it—just a big opportunity to reconnect with your world.

Age Group	Hearing Trouble Without Aid
18–39	~ 5.5%
40–69	~ 19%
70+	~ 43%
Overall U.S. Adults	~ 16–15% (1 in 6)

Parting Thought

So, how common is hearing loss? Very. One in six adults in the U.S. reports trouble hearing. For older adults, it's even more common—and linked with important health matters. But here's the hopeful part: treatment is available, aid is possible, and the world can sound crystal-clear again.

Are you one of the six? Maybe. And that’s totally OK. The first step is noticing—and maybe even reaching out to get help. Your ears—and your social life—will thank you.