Share of U.S. adults with hearing trouble who face select challenges as of 2021

Published by
Preeti Vankar,
Nov 29, 2023
As of March 2021, 6 in 10 adults with hearing problems reported having "difficulty hearing when there is noise in the background". Nearly 1 in 6 adults admitted "I avoid interacting with others because I can't hear them as well as I would like to". This statistic shows the percentage of adults in the United States with hearing difficulties who stated they face select challenges as of 2021.

Percentage of adults in the United States with hearing difficulties who stated they face select challenges as of 2021

CharacteristicPercentage of adults
I have difficulty hearing when there is noise in the background 60%
I often hear ringing, roaring, hissing or another sound in my ear(s) 47%
I sometimes have to strain to understand a conversation 46%
It is hard for me to follow a conversation when two or more people talk at once 41%
I sometimes misunderstand what others are saying and respond inappropriately 39%
A family member or friend often has to repeat what other people say to me so I can understand 34%
Many people I talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly) 34%
People complain that I turn the TV volume up too high 31%
Other people, such as my friends and family, often suggest that I might have difficulty hearing 29%
I have difficulty understanding the speech of women and children 21%
I avoid interacting with others because I can't hear them as well as I would like to 16%
Showing entries 1 to 11 (11 entries in total)
Created with Highcharts 7.2.2Percentage of adults60%60%47%47%46%46%41%41%39%39%34%34%34%34%31%31%29%29%21%21%16%16%I have difficulty hearing when there is noise in the backgroundI often hear ringing, roaring, hissing or another sound in my ear(s)I sometimes have to strain to understand a conversationIt is hard for me to follow a conversation when two or more people talkat onceI sometimes misunderstand what others are saying and respondinappropriatelyA family member or friend often has to repeat what other people sayto me so I can understandMany people I talk to seem to mumble (or not speak clearly)People complain that I turn the TV volume up too highOther people, such as my friends and family, often suggest that Imight have difficulty hearingI have difficulty understanding the speech of women and childrenI avoid interacting with others because I can't hear them as well as Iwould like to
0%5%10%15%20%25%30%35%40%45%50%55%60%65%70%

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Release date

May 2021

Region

United States

Survey time period

From March 16 to 23, 2021

Number of respondents

1,245 respondents

Age group

18 years and older

Special properties

Those with hearing difficulty

Method of interview

Online survey

Supplementary notes

Original question: "Q255: Please check "yes" or "no" to indicate if the following statements are true for you. Select one response per row."

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