Untreated hearing loss is associated with decreasing social, psychological, 

and cognitive functioning (1–4). Using data from the 2014 National Health 

Interview Survey (NHIS), this data brief reports the percentage of U.S. adults 

who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid (defined as having at least 

“a little trouble hearing”). Information is provided on the degree of loss, 

selected causes of trouble hearing, sought-after care for hearing problems, and 

use of assistive devices and technology to communicate. 

Keywords: hearing loss • hearing aids • assistive technology to communicate 

• National Health Interview Survey

What percentage of adults had any self-reported trouble 

hearing without a hearing aid?

In 2014, one in six adults aged 18 and over (16.8%) had any self-reported 

trouble hearing without a hearing aid (Figure 1). The percentage with any 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Figure 1. Adults who had any self-reported trouble hearing without a hearing aid, by sex and age 

group: United States, 2014 

1

Significantly different from women within the same age group (p < 0.05). 2

Significantly increasing trend by age group (p < 0.05).

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2014.

Key findings

● Among adults aged 18–39, 

5.5% had any self-reported 

trouble hearing without a 

hearing aid. The rate was 

19.0% among adults aged 

40–69 and 43.2% among adults 

aged 70 and over. The majority 

of these adults (62.6%) had 

mild hearing loss.

● Among women, 45.3% 

stated that getting older was 

the main cause of their hearing 

loss, compared with 24.5% of 

men. Nearly 36% of men stated 

that long-term noise exposure 

was the main cause of their 

hearing loss, compared with 

nearly 11% of women. 

● Of adults who had any 

trouble hearing, 46.0% had 

seen a health professional about 

their hearing in the past 5 years.

● Among adults who had any 

trouble hearing, those aged 

70 and over were more likely 

to have used a hearing aid, 

while those aged 18–39 were 

more likely to have used other 

assistive technology.

Self-reported Hearing Trouble in Adults Aged 18 and Over: 

United States, 2014

Carla E. Zelaya, Ph.D., M.Sc.; Jacqueline W. Lucas, M.P.H.; and Howard J. Hoffman, M.A.

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 214 ■ September 2015

U.S. DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH AND HUMAN SERVICES

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

National Center for Health Statistics
■  2  ■

trouble hearing increased significantly overall with age: 5.5% among adults aged 18–39, 19.0% 

among adults aged 40–69, and 43.2% among adults aged 70 and over. In each age group, men 

were more likely than women to have had trouble hearing. Among adults aged 70 and over, 

52.4% of men had trouble hearing without a hearing aid compared with 36.2% of women.

What was the degree of self-reported hearing loss among men and women 

who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid?

The majority of adults who had trouble hearing had mild hearing loss, defined as “a little trouble 

hearing” (62.6%) (Figure 2). Less than 2% of adults who indicated that they had any trouble 

hearing were deaf. Overall, 0.29% of U.S. adults were deaf (data not shown).

There were differences by sex in the degree of self-reported hearing loss. Men were less likely 

than women to classify their hearing loss as “a little trouble hearing” and were more likely to 

classify their hearing loss as “moderate trouble” hearing. However, there were no significant 

differences by sex in the proportion of adults who indicated that they had “a lot of trouble” 

hearing or that they were deaf.

Figure 2. Degree of self-reported hearing loss among men and women who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid: 

United States, 2014

1

Significantly different from women within the same hearing category (p < 0.05).

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 214 ■ September 2015
■  3  ■

What were the main causes of hearing loss among men and women who 

had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid? 

In 2014, long-term noise exposure (e.g., from machinery or power tools) was more likely to be 

cited as a main cause of hearing loss among men (35.6%) compared with women (10.8%)

(Figure 3). Similarly, loud, brief noise (e.g., from gunfire or other blasts or explosions) was more 

likely to be cited as a cause of hearing loss among men (14.8%) compared with women (2.1%). 

Nearly one-half of women (45.3%) cited that getting older or aging was the main cause of their 

hearing loss compared with nearly one-quarter of men (24.5%). Women were more than twice as 

likely to cite ear infections or otitis media as the main cause of their hearing loss (10.9%) 

compared with men (4.7%). Ear injury or head or neck trauma and causes present at birth (e.g., 

hearing loss due to genetics or infectious disease during gestation) were infrequently cited causes 

of hearing loss.

What percentage of adults with any trouble hearing had seen a health care 

professional about any hearing or ear problems in the past 5 years?

Among adults aged 18 and over who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid, less than onehalf (46.0%) had seen a doctor or other health professional about their hearing or ear problems 

in the past 5 years (Figure 4). There were no significant differences in the percentages of men 

and women who had seen a health care professional, regardless of age. Also, there were no 

significant differences between adults aged 18–39 and adults aged 40–69, regardless of sex. But 

the likelihood of having seen a doctor or health care professional was significantly higher among 

adults aged 70 and over (56.8%) compared with adults aged 40–69 (41.6%).

Figure 3. Selected self-reported causes of hearing loss among men and women who had any trouble hearing without a 

hearing aid: United States, 2014

1

Significantly different from men (p < 0.05).

NOTE: Percentages do not total 100%, because some reported causes of hearing loss are not listed.

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2014.

 

 

 

 

 0 5 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 214 ■ September 2015
■  4  ■

What percentage of adults who had any trouble hearing had ever used a 

hearing aid or assistive technology to communicate? 

Almost 22% of adults who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid had ever used a hearing 

aid, while approximately 9% had ever used assistive technology to communicate, such as FM 

systems, instant or text messages, or amplified telephones (Figure 5). But the likelihood of having 

ever used hearing aids almost tripled for each age group, from 4.7% among adults aged 18–39, to 

13.5% among adults aged 40–69, to 42.0% among adults aged 70 and over. This threefold 

increase for each successive age group was not seen for the use of assistive technology. A history 

of using assistive technology was more prevalent in the youngest age group (12.1%), with the 

middle age group being the least likely to use assistive technology (7.7% among adults aged 

40–69).

Figure 4. Adults who had seen a doctor or other health professional about hearing or ear problems in the past 5 years, by 

age group among those who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid: United States, 2014

1

Significantly different from those aged 18–39 (p < 0.05). 

2

Significantly different from those aged 40–69 (p < 0.05). 

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 214 ■ September 2015
■ 5  ■

Figure 5. Adults who had ever used a hearing aid or assistive technology to communicate, by age group among those 

who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid: United States, 2014

1Significant increasing trend by age group (p < 0.05).

2Within the category, estimates for the three age groups were significantly different from each other (p < 0.05).

SOURCE: CDC/NCHS, National Health Interview Survey, 2014. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Summary

Age is typically the most significant determinant of hearing loss (5,6). Among U.S. adults in 

2014, self-reported hearing loss was most prevalent among adults aged 70 and over (43.2%), 

compared with adults aged 40–69 (19.0%) and aged 18–39 (5.5%). Age-related hearing loss is 

often overlooked due to its deceptively slow progression, lack of attention from providers, and 

public acceptance as a condition that is perceived to be a “normal” consequence of aging (7). 

Among U.S. adults aged 70 and over who had any trouble hearing, 56.8% had seen a doctor or 

other health care professional about their hearing or ear problems in the past 5 years, but only 

42.0% had ever used a hearing aid. Younger adults (aged 18–39) who had any trouble hearing 

were even less likely to have seen a doctor or used a hearing aid, but they were more likely to 

have used other assistive technology because of their hearing compared with adults aged 40–69 or 

70 and over.

Among U.S. adults who had any trouble hearing without a hearing aid, 1.7% were deaf, but the 

majority (62.6%) had mild hearing loss (defined as “a little trouble hearing”). Men were more 

likely than women to have self-reported trouble hearing, a sex disparity that has been documented 

globally among all age groups (8). Men were also more likely than women to state they had 

moderate trouble hearing.

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 214 ■ September 2015
■  6  ■

The main self-reported causes of hearing loss also varied by sex. U.S. women were much more 

likely to cite aging as the main cause of their hearing loss compared with men. Loud, brief noise 

and long-term noise exposure were much more common causes given for hearing loss among 

men than women. 

Definitions

Any trouble hearing without a hearing aid: Defined as a response of “a little trouble hearing,” 

“moderate trouble,” “a lot of trouble,” or “deaf” to the question, “These next questions are about 

your hearing without the use of hearing aids or other listening devices. Is your hearing excellent, 

good, [do you have] a little trouble hearing, moderate trouble, a lot of trouble, or are you deaf?”

Main causes of hearing loss: Based on responses to the question, “What is the main cause of your 

hearing loss?” The question was asked of respondents who had any trouble hearing without a 

hearing aid. Interviewers coded the responses into the following categories:

● Present at birth because mother had infectious disease (e.g., German measles [rubella], 

cytomegalovirus [CMV], toxoplasmosis, etc.)

● Present at birth for a genetic reason 

● Present at birth for other reason (e.g., preterm birth [NOT genetic or infectious disease]) 

● After birth due to an infectious disease (measles, meningitis, mumps, etc.) 

● Ear infections or otitis media, fluid in middle ear space, or ear drum burst (perforation) 

● Ear injury or head or neck trauma 

● Ear surgery 

● Medications or drugs, such as gentamicin (aminoglycosides), cisplatin (cancer drugs), 

antibiotics, anti-inflammatory drugs, or diuretic 

● Ear disease such as Meniere’s disease or otosclerosis 

● Brain tumor (acoustic neuroma or vestibular schwannoma) 

● Loud, brief noise from gunfire, hand grenade, IED (improvised explosive devise), or other 

blasts or explosions 

● Sudden hearing loss, unexplained by loud, brief noise or other known causes 

● Long-term noise exposure from machinery, aircraft, power tools, loud music, appliances, 

personal stereos or MP3 players, hair dryers, etc. 

● Getting older or aging 

● Some other cause 

In Figure 3, some categories were combined and some reported causes of hearing loss were not 

included.

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 214 ■ September 2015
■  7  ■

Seen a doctor or other health care professional about hearing or ear problems in the past 5 years: 

Based on respondent answers of “In the past year,” “1 to 2 years ago,” or “3 to 4 years ago” when 

asked, “When was the last time you saw a doctor or other health care professional about any 

hearing or ear problems? Never, in the past year, 1 to 2 years ago, 3 to 4 years ago, 5 to 9 years 

ago, 10 to 14 years ago.”

Ever used assistive technology to communicate: Based on responding positively when asked, 

“Because of your hearing, have you ever used assistive technology to communicate, such as FM 

systems, instant or text messages, headsets, closed-caption television, amplified telephone, relay 

services, or live video streaming?”

Data source and methods

Data from the 2014 NHIS were used for this analysis. NHIS data are collected continuously 

throughout the year for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) National Center 

for Health Statistics (NCHS) by interviewers from the U.S. Census Bureau. NHIS collects 

information about the health and health care of the civilian noninstitutionalized population of 

the United States. Interviews are conducted in respondents’ homes, but follow-ups to complete 

interviews may be conducted over the telephone. The survey consists of a core set of questions 

that remains relatively unchanged from year to year and supplemental questions that are not asked 

every year. The question about trouble hearing is a core question that is asked of one randomly 

selected adult (the “sample adult”) from each interviewed family. 

Additional questions about hearing shown in this report are from a hearing supplement that 

collected additional data in 2014 from the sample adult. The supplement was developed and 

implemented with collaboration and funding from the National Institutes of Health’s National 

Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. In 2014, information was collected 

on 36,697 sample adults aged 18 and over. For further information about NHIS, including the 

questionnaire, visit the NHIS website at: http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/nhis.htm. 

NHIS is designed to yield a nationally representative sample, and this analysis used weights 

to produce national estimates. The sample design and data weighting procedures are described 

in more detail elsewhere (9). Point estimates and estimates of corresponding variance were 

calculated using the SUDAAN software package (10) to account for the complex sample design 

of NHIS. All estimates shown in this report meet the NCHS standard of reliability (relative 

standard error less than or equal to 30%). Differences between percentages were evaluated using 

two-sided significance tests at the 0.05 level.

About the authors 

Carla E. Zelaya and Jacqueline W. Lucas are with CDC’s National Center for Health Statistics, 

and Howard J. Hoffman is with the National Institutes of Health’s National Institute on Deafness 

and Other Communication Disorders. 

References

1. Mulrow CD, Aguilar C, Endicott JE, Tuley MR, Velez R, Charlip WS, et al. Quality-of-life 

changes and hearing impairment. A randomized trial. Ann Intern Med 113(3):188–94. 1990.

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2. Lin FR, Metter EJ, O’Brien RJ, Resnick SM, Zonderman AB, Ferrucci L. 

Hearing loss and incident dementia. Arch Neurol 68(2):214–20. 2011.

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7. Wallhagen MI, Pettengill E. Hearing impairment: significant but 

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8. Stevens G, Flaxman S, Brunskill E, Mascarenhas M, Mathers CD, 

Finucare M, Global Burden of Disease Hearing Loss Expert Group. Global 

and regional hearing impairment prevalence: An analysis of 42 studies in 29 

countries. Eur J Public Health 23(1):146–52. 2013.

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Suggested citation

Zelaya CE, Lucas JW, Hoffman HJ. Selfreported hearing trouble in adults aged 18 

and over: United States, 2014. NCHS data 

brief, no 214. Hyattsville, MD: National 

Center for Health Statistics. 2015.

Copyright information

All material appearing in this report is in 

the public domain and may be reproduced 

or copied without permission; citation as to 

source, however, is appreciated.

National Center for Health 

Statistics

Charles J. Rothwell, M.S., M.B.A., Director

Nathaniel Schenker, Ph.D., Deputy Director

Jennifer H. Madans, Ph.D., Associate 

Director for Science

Division of Health Interview Statistics

Marcie L. Cynamon, Director

NCHS Data Brief ■ No. 214 ■ September 2015