How Common is Hearing Loss?

Theresa Pitt, Aud.D., F.S.H.A.A., Audiology Services !

This table is for guidance only; this is because the exact incidence of hearing loss is quite variable in different countries. For example, conductive loss is much commoner in some third world countries where ear infections are rife; sensori-neural losses are more common amongst populations who tend to intermarry, and presbycusis is much commoner in societies where people live to a ripe old age. Also, the numbers of people who have access to and/or can afford to buy hearing aids also varies very widely throughout the world - the figure given is an estimate from U.K./Irish studies - some of which I've done myself. More detail on population statistics can be obtained from several government sources, or from a weighty tome which relates to detailed studies in the U.K. by my favourite statistician, Professor Adrian Davies; this can be purchased in good academic bookshops:
Unilateral losses (in one ear only) have been included with mild/moderate losses of the same type.

Types and Incidence of Hearing Loss
AGE GROUP	NORMAL HEARING (%)	MILD/MODERATE CONDUCTIVE LOSS (%)	MILD/MODERATE SENSORI-NEURAL LOSS (%)	SEVERE/PROFOUND SENSORI-NEURAL LOSS (%)	HEARING AID USERS (%)
YOUNG CHILDREN	87	12.5	0.45	0.05	0.25
10-40	95	4.4	0.54	0.06	0.2
40-60	94	4.0	1.5	0.3	0.5
60-80	80	4.2	15	0.8	2
80YRS+	50	5	40	5	8

Return to Introduction

Site design & copyright, 2005: Theresa Pitt