--- title: "How Many Americans Have Hearing Loss? 2026 Statistics" description: "48 million Americans (~15% of adults) have measurable hearing loss. See the CDC and NIDCD breakdowns by age, sex, and severity — updated for 2026." lang: en json-ld: | [ { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@graph": [ { "@type": "WebSite", "@id": "https://zaudiology.com/#website", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/", "name": "Z Audiology", "publisher": { "@id": "https://zaudiology.com/#org" }, "inLanguage": "en-US" }, { "@type": [ "MedicalOrganization", "MedicalBusiness", "LocalBusiness" ], "@id": "https://zaudiology.com/#org", "name": "Z Audiology", "image": "https://zaudiology.com/og.jpg", "logo": "https://www.zaudiology.com/logo.svg", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/", "telephone": "+1-561-931-2428", "email": "drchanazelenko@gmail.com", "priceRange": "$$", "currenciesAccepted": "USD", "paymentAccepted": "Cash, Credit Card, Check", "address": { "@type": "PostalAddress", "streetAddress": "5458 Town Center Rd, Suite 4", "addressLocality": "Boca Raton", "addressRegion": "FL", "postalCode": "33486", "addressCountry": "US" }, "geo": { "@type": "GeoCoordinates", "latitude": 26.3683, "longitude": -80.1289 }, "areaServed": [ "Boca Raton, FL", "Delray Beach, FL", "Boynton Beach, FL", "Highland Beach, FL", "Deerfield Beach, FL", "Parkland, FL", "Coral Springs, FL" ], "openingHoursSpecification": [ { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": [ "Monday", "Tuesday", "Wednesday", "Thursday" ], "opens": "09:00", "closes": "17:00" }, { "@type": "OpeningHoursSpecification", "dayOfWeek": "Friday", "opens": "09:00", "closes": "12:00" } ], "medicalSpecialty": "Audiology", "founder": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Chana Zelenko, Au.D.", "jobTitle": "Audiologist", "identifier": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "propertyID": "NPI", "value": "1881311694" } }, "sameAs": [ "https://www.instagram.com/zaudiology/", "https://www.zaudiology.com" ] } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": [ "MedicalWebPage", "Article" ], "headline": "How Many Americans Have Hearing Loss?", "description": "48 million Americans (~15% of adults) have measurable hearing loss. See the CDC and NIDCD breakdowns by age, sex, and severity — updated for 2026.", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/statistics/how-many-americans-have-hearing-loss", "datePublished": "2026-07-16", "dateModified": "2026-07-16", "inLanguage": "en-US", "about": { "@type": "MedicalCondition", "name": "Hearing loss" }, "author": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Chana Zelenko", "honorificSuffix": "Au.D.", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/about", "identifier": { "@type": "PropertyValue", "propertyID": "NPI", "value": "1881311694" } }, "reviewedBy": { "@type": "Person", "name": "Dr. Chana Zelenko", "honorificSuffix": "Au.D.", "url": "https://zaudiology.com/about" }, "publisher": { "@type": "MedicalOrganization", "name": "Z Audiology", "url": "https://zaudiology.com" }, "keywords": "how many americans have hearing loss, hearing loss statistics US, hearing loss prevalence" }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "FAQPage", "mainEntity": [ { "@type": "Question", "name": "Is hearing loss more common than diabetes?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "Yes. About 48 million U.S. adults have hearing loss, compared to 38 million with diabetes. It's the third most common chronic condition in the country." } }, { "@type": "Question", "name": "How do I know if I'm one of the 48 million?", "acceptedAnswer": { "@type": "Answer", "text": "The only reliable answer is an audiogram — a 30-minute, painless test performed in a soundproof booth. Screening apps and headphone tests can miss high-frequency loss, which is where age-related decline begins." } } ] }, { "@context": "https://schema.org", "@type": "BreadcrumbList", "itemListElement": [ { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 1, "name": "Home", "item": "https://zaudiology.com" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 2, "name": "Statistics", "item": "https://zaudiology.com/statistics" }, { "@type": "ListItem", "position": 3, "name": "How Many Americans Have Hearing Loss?", "item": "https://zaudiology.com/statistics/how-many-americans-have-hearing-loss" } ] } ] --- [](/) [Services](/services)[Free Tools](/tools)[About](/about)[Hearing Aids](/hearing-aids) [(561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428)[Book a Visit](/intake) [All statistics](/statistics) Statistics · Prevalence # How Many Americans Have Hearing Loss? Hearing loss affects roughly one in seven American adults — about 48 million people — making it the third most common chronic health condition in the U.S. after heart disease and arthritis. Prevalence more than doubles with every decade past 50. Medically reviewed by Dr. Chana Zelenko, Au.D. Doctor of Audiology · NPI 1881311694 · Last updated July 16, 2026 [About Dr. Zelenko →](/about) The headline number 48M American adults with measurable hearing loss (NIDCD) Source: NIDCD In this article [01 The headline number: ~48 million adults](#headline)[02 Prevalence by age — it doubles every decade past 50](#by-age)[03 Florida is above the national average](#florida)[04 Global context — 430 million and rising](#worldwide)[FAQ Frequently asked](#faqs) Section 01 ## The headline number: ~48 million adults The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders (NIDCD) estimates that about 15% of American adults — 37.5 million people age 18+ — report some trouble hearing. Diagnostic testing consistently finds a higher true prevalence: roughly 48 million when subclinical loss is included. The CDC's National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), which uses actual audiograms rather than self-report, finds 14.1% of adults 20+ have measurable hearing loss in at least one ear. [NIDCD (NIH)](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics)[CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hearing-loss/data-research/) Section 02 ## Prevalence by age — it doubles every decade past 50 Age-related hearing loss (presbycusis) is the single biggest driver of U.S. prevalence. Roughly 2% of adults 45–54 have disabling hearing loss. That climbs to 8.5% at 55–64, 25% at 65–74, and 50% at 75 and older. % of U.S. adults with disabling hearing loss, by age Disabling hearing loss = worse than 35 dB in the better ear. Source: NIDCD. [NIDCD (NIH)](https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics) Section 03 ## Florida is above the national average Florida's median age (43.3) is the second-oldest in the U.S., and Palm Beach County (where Boca Raton sits) skews older still (median 47). Prevalence of disabling hearing loss in Palm Beach County adults 65+ is estimated at 33% — one in three neighbors — compared to the ~27% national average for that age band. That's why South Florida audiology practices see roughly 40% more late-onset presbycusis than the national norm. [CDC](https://www.cdc.gov/hearing-loss/data-research/) Section 04 ## Global context — 430 million and rising The World Health Organization estimates 430 million people worldwide (5% of the global population) live with disabling hearing loss. By 2050 the WHO projects that number will exceed 700 million — one in every ten people. Global disabling hearing loss projection Millions of people, 2020 vs. 2050. Source: WHO World Report on Hearing. [WHO — World Report on Hearing](https://www.who.int/publications/i/item/9789240020481) FAQ ## Frequently asked ### Is hearing loss more common than diabetes? Yes. About 48 million U.S. adults have hearing loss, compared to 38 million with diabetes. It's the third most common chronic condition in the country. ### How do I know if I'm one of the 48 million? The only reliable answer is an audiogram — a 30-minute, painless test performed in a soundproof booth. Screening apps and headphone tests can miss high-frequency loss, which is where age-related decline begins. Boca Raton · Independent Audiology ## Where do your numbers fall? A comprehensive audiogram with Dr. Zelenko takes about 45 minutes and gives you a personal baseline against the data on this page. [Book a visit](/intake)[(561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428) Keep reading ## Related statistics [ 1 in 2 Age-Related Hearing Loss (Presbycusis): 2026 Statistics Read ](/statistics/age-related-hearing-loss)[ 48% Hearing Loss and Cognitive Decline: The 2026 Data Read ](/statistics/hearing-loss-and-cognitive-decline)[ 2–3 Pediatric Hearing Loss: What Parents Should Know in 2026 Read ](/statistics/pediatric-hearing-loss) Next Step ## Come in. We'll take our time with you. Book a comprehensive hearing evaluation — usually 60 to 90 minutes, and you'll leave with a clear picture of what's going on. [Start intake](/intake) [Call (561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428) Visit the Practice ## Find us in Boca Raton. We're tucked into the Town Center Road medical village — free parking at the door, elevator access, and a waiting room that actually feels like a living room. Google Business Profile Z Audiology Audiologist · Boca Raton, FL [](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) [5 ](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) [Read Google reviews](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) 5458 Town Center Rd, Suite 4 Boca Raton, FL 33486 [(561) 931-2428](tel:+15619312428) [drchanazelenko@gmail.com](mailto:drchanazelenko@gmail.com) Hours Mon – Thu 9 AM – 5 PM Friday 9 AM – 12 PM Sat & Sun Closed [Directions](https://maps.app.goo.gl/RdocN9NJwQR8bicP8)[Call](tel:+15619312428)[View on Google](https://www.google.com/search?q=Z+Audiology+Boca+Raton#lrd=0x88d922777c50fd67:0x0,1) Z Audiology Rediscover the joy of hearing. An independent audiology practice in Boca Raton — sea-foam walls, light oak, and doctoral-level care from someone who wears hearing aids herself. 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