A study on hearing loss using a nationally representative sample of 2803 older Americans revealed that approximately one-third of them have hearing loss, with a higher frequency among those of Hispanic and White ethnicity.
The study estimated around 14 million Americans aged 71 years and older with hearing loss use hearing aids.
The objective of the National Health and Aging Trends Study (NHATS) round 11 was to measure hearing loss by adding pure-tone audiometry. The study already collected self-reported hearing-aid use.
Why it matters
The study accurately estimates hearing loss and hearing-aid use among older Americans.
- Estimates of hearing loss before this study did not include the oldest Americans (≥80 years), who are most at risk of having hearing loss.
- The new data will guide strategies to address hearing loss.
Key findings
- The frequency of hearing loss increases with age, with 65.3% of adults aged 71 or older having hearing loss.
- 96.2% of adults aged 90 or older have hearing loss.
- Only 29.2% of US adults with hearing loss use hearing aids.
- Hispanic and Whites have higher frequencies of hearing loss than other ethnicities.
- White males with lower education and lower incomes had the highest frequency of hearing loss, but the differences between White, Black, and Hispanic Americans narrowed with increasing age.
- For adults 71 or older
- 37.0% have mild hearing loss
- 24.1% have moderate hearing loss
- 4.2% have severe hearing loss.
- 80% of people 71 and older have hearing loss when World Health Organization hearing-loss standards are used.
Your first step to hearing health
Call to schedule a free, 15-minute hearing screening with an audiologist. Don't guess about hearing loss. Find out.
If you have hearing loss, your audiologist will explain —
- How much hearing you've lost
- Whether your hearing needs treatment
- The hearing-aid options available to treat your hearing loss
Don't let untreated hearing loss increase your risk of social isolation, falls, and dementia.
Crest Hill: 630-633-5060 | Palos Hills: 708-599-9500
