Missing the punchline of a joke at dinner. Asking your partner to repeat themselves—again. Turning up the TV to a level that makes everyone else cringe. If this sounds familiar, you're not imagining it. And you're far from alone.
To measure just how common hearing difficulties have become in the U.S., we’ve compiled the latest data from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the World Health Organization (WHO), and peer-reviewed medical journals. Our findings confirm what millions of Americans already suspect: hearing loss is one of the most widespread and underserved health issues, affecting all ages.
How Many Americans Are Affected By Hearing Loss?
The prevalence of hearing loss in the U.S. continues to rise across all age groups, with recent data showing significant increases compared to previous decades.
Americans Affected By Hearing Loss
Prevalence
Adults 18+ reporting hearing difficulty
15% (37.5 million)
Disabling hearing loss, 45–54 years old
5%
Disabling hearing loss, 55–64 years old
10%
Disabling hearing loss, 65–74 years old
22%
Disabling hearing loss, 75+ years old
55%
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD)
*Disabling hearing loss defined as 35 dB or greater in the better ear (NIDCD, 2024)
Key Takeaways:
One in seven Americans: 37.5 million Americans, or about 1 in 7, currently experience some degree of hearing loss, making it one of the most commonly shared health experiences in the country [1].
Numbers are accelerating: Projections indicate that hearing loss will affect 73.5 million Americans by 2060, increasing from 15% to 22.6% of the adult population [2].
Most people wait too long: On average, 7 to 10 years pass between symptom onset and the first step toward care, even though approximately 28.8 million American adults would benefit from hearing aids [3,1].
Hearing Loss Statistics by Age Group
Age remains the strongest predictor of hearing loss, but the data tells a more nuanced story—one that spans all generations, from teenagers to nonagenarians.
Age Group
Percentage with bilateral hearing loss
20–29 years
1%
30–39 years
1%
40–49 years
3%
50–59 years
11%
60–69 years
25%
70+ years
More than 50%
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 2024
*Note on unilateral hearing loss: The percentages above refer to hearing loss in both ears. Unilateral hearing loss, affecting only one ear, is significantly more common. Approximately 37.5 million American adults experience hearing difficulty in at least one ear, and many are unaware as their "better ear" compensates.
Key Takeaways:
The "60s drop-off": Hearing loss more than doubles between ages 50–59 (11%) and 60–69 (25%), making early 60s a key time for testing [1].
Men are twice as likely: Among adults aged 20–69, men are almost twice as likely as women to have hearing loss, with 17.6% of men affected compared to 13.6% of women [1].
Half of Americans over 70 affected: At least 50% of people over 70 have bilateral hearing loss, and this percentage continues to rise with each decade of life [1].
What Causes Hearing Loss in the U.S.?
Age-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, remains the most common form of hearing difficulty in the U.S. It’s a gradual process that impairs the inner ear’s ability to process sound, explaining the dramatic rise in prevalence after age 60. But age doesn't tell the whole story.
Noise exposure stands out as the leading preventable cause of hearing loss, and the numbers are telling. Millions of Americans are exposed to hazardous noise levels at work each year, yet 53% of noise-exposed employees report not wearing hearing protection on the job [5]. The critical threshold is 85 decibels (dB), roughly the level of heavy city traffic [6].
Prolonged exposure at or above this level begins to irreversibly damage the delicate hair cells in the inner ear. Among workers with more than 5 years of high occupational noise exposure, 18% experience bilateral hearing loss, compared to 5.5% in those without. But a surprising CDC finding reveals that 53% of people with noise-induced hearing damage have no occupational exposure, pointing to recreational noise—concerts, sporting events, personal audio devices—as a major culprit [5].
Noise-induced hearing damage isn't limited to the workplace. According to the World Health Organization, 1 billion young people globally are at risk of permanent hearing loss due to unsafe listening practices, primarily headphones and personal audio devices used at loud volumes [7]. In the U.S., 5.1 million children and teens aged 6–19 already show measurable signs of hearing damage [8]. Unlike age-related hearing loss, noise damage is largely preventable; but once destroyed, the hair cells in the inner ear do not regenerate [6].
Key Takeaways:
Noise, the #1 preventable cause: Barely half of noise-exposed workers wear hearing protection—and the risk extends far beyond work: headphones, concerts, and everyday recreational noise [5, 7].
The 85-decibel threshold matters: Prolonged exposure to sounds over 85 dB begins to cause irreversible damage. Portable audio devices can reach 120 dB—the sound level of a rock concert [9].
Younger Americans are not immune: Over 5 million children and teens in the U.S. already show measurable signs of hearing damage, and unlike age-related hearing loss, noise damage at any age is entirely preventable [8].
The Treatment Gap: Why So Few Get Help
While 28.8 million Americans would benefit from hearing aids, adoption rates remain shockingly low—just 16% for adults aged 20–69 and 30% for those 70 and older—creating a massive treatment gap [1, 4].
Group
Could Benefit
Currently Use
Treatment Gap
All adults needing hearing aids
28.8 million
~5.76 million (20%)
80% untreated
Adults 20–69
Over 15 million
16% adoption rate
84% untreated
Adults 70+
21.5 million
30% adoption rate
70% untreated
Sources: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), 2024; JAMA Network Open, 2023
Key Takeaways:
The "7-year syndrome": On average, 7 to 10 years pass between noticing hearing difficulty and purchasing a first hearing aid, often due to aging stigma and outdated images of bulky, visible devices [3].
Younger adults seek even less help: Only 16% of adults aged 20–69 who would benefit from hearing aids have ever used them, compared to 30% of those 70 and older [1, 4].
Untreated hearing loss has severe consequences: 18% of those with untreated moderate or greater hearing loss experience depression, compared to 8% of adults generally—more than double the risk. Additionally, people over 52 with hearing loss are nearly 4 times more likely to experience difficulties with daily activities [1].
Breaking the Stigma: A New Era for Hearing Wellness
One of the biggest shifts in hearing health isn't just about technology; it's about how we think about hearing care itself. The old model—doctor's offices, insurance paperwork, and $5,000+ devices—is giving way to a wellness-first approach, treating hearing like we treat vision, fitness, or heart health.
Criteria
Traditional Prescription Hearing Aids
CLARIA OTC Hearing Aids
Average Cost
Over $5,000/pair¹⁰
Starting under $100
Doctor Visit Required
Yes (multiple appointments)
No
Insurance/Prescription
Required
Not required
Time to Get Started
Typically 2-4 weeks
5 minutes out of the box
Specialist Support
In-office only
Free online Soundcheck appointments
Personalization
Programmed by audiologist
Via app + touch controls
Trial Period
Limited or none
45-day risk-free trial
Return Rate
Nearly 50% (industry average)
Under 20%
Hearing as a Wellness Concern
Accessing medical-grade hearing technology no longer means navigating traditional hurdles. CLARIA, the #1 OTC hearing aid brand, has already equipped nearly 2 million customers with products featuring sound processing designed by audiologists—not mere amplifiers, but true hearing aids that leverage advanced technology to process and personalize sound for different environments.
CLARIA's exclusive listening modes are developed using real customer data for real-world situations, and innovations like the industry's first touch-screen hearing aid make technology accessible even for those who have always been intimidated by complicated devices.
Where competing OTC hearing aid brands see return rates near 50%, CLARIA maintains the lowest in the industry, under 20%—a gap we attribute in part to complimentary CLARIA Sound Check™ appointments, where trained hearing specialists help customers personalize their devices remotely.
Today’s 60-somethings feel 9 years younger than their actual age and have no interest in being defined by outdated stereotypes. They stay active, monitor their health, and expect their technology to keep pace. Modern hearing aids naturally fit alongside smartwatches, blue-light glasses, and morning supplements: another smart choice made by people who take their well-being seriously.
This generation values independence and quality, and what they demand is simple: to hear their grandkids laugh, to not miss a beat at dinner, and to reclaim the joy of connection. Modern OTC hearing aids deliver exactly this, without the appointments, insurance battles, or complexity that made traditional hearing care a gauntlet.
Taking the First Step Toward a Hearing Solution
If you're one of the 1 in 7 Americans experiencing hearing difficulty, you're far from alone. The data confirms what millions already know: hearing loss is a common health issue—affecting everyone from teens with headphone-damaged hearing to seniors who’ve lived and loved loudly for decades.
Hearing loss is a condition as common and as easily correctable as needing glasses. With 80% of those who would benefit from hearing aids going untreated, and an average 10-year delay before seeking help, the biggest barrier isn't technology: it's stigma.
You've spent decades showing up for the people and moments that matter most. You've earned every conversation, every shared laugh, every connection. Your hearing, too, should show up.
CLARIA is the #1 OTC hearing aid brand, supporting nearly 2 million customers with medical-grade technology for a fraction of the traditional cost. Every purchase includes a 45-day risk-free trial, a free Soundcheck appointment with a hearing specialist, and access to touch-controlled devices designed for the moments that matter most.
Explore CLARIA hearing aids to find the right solution for your needs. No appointments. No insurance paperwork. No waiting. Just better hearing.
Questions? Our team is here 7 days a week. Give us a call or visit our support page to get started today.
Sources
National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD), "Quick Statistics About Hearing", September 2024https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing#4
Retirement Living, "Hearing Loss Statistics (2026)", updated April 2026https://www.retirementliving.com/best-hearing-aid-companies/average-hearing-loss-by-age#What-Is-the-Average
Johns Hopkins Medicine, "The Hidden Risks of Hearing Loss", 2026https://www.hopkinsmedicine.org/health/wellness-and-prevention/the-hidden-risks-of-hearing-loss
Huang AR, Ehrlich JR, Killeen OJ, et al. (2023) "Prevalence of Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use Among US Medicare Beneficiaries Aged 71 Years and Older." JAMA Network Open.https://jamanetwork.com/journals/jamanetworkopen/fullarticle/2807708
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), "Too Loud! For Too Long!", updated January 2020https://archive.cdc.gov/www_cdc_gov/vitalsigns/hearingloss/index.html
Cleveland Clinic, "Sound the Alarm: How Headphones Can Harm Your Hearing", September 2024https://health.clevelandclinic.org/how-to-rock-out-with-ear-buds-or-headphones-without-damaging-your-hearing
World Health Organization (WHO), "World Report on Hearing", 2021https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020481
Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), "Hearing Loss by the Numbers", 2025https://www.hearingloss.org/understanding-hearing-loss/hearing-loss-101/hearing-loss-by-the-numbers/
University of Utah Healthcare, "Headphone Use Can Impact Your Hearing Health", January 2024https://healthcare.utah.edu/healthfeed/2024/01/listen-headphone-use-can-impact-your-hearing-health
Hearing Insider, "How Much do Hearing Aids Cost: A Buyer's Guide", 2025https://hearinginsider.com/hearing-aids-buyers-guide
