Picture an older adult leaning in during a conversation, missing key words, nodding reflexively while struggling to keep up. That scene is familiar for millions in America. Hearing aids offer a bridge back into connection with family, friends, and community.
Yet despite advances in technology, many who could benefit never take that step. This article explores how hearing aid use has changed over time, who uses them, who does not, and what the trends mean for the future.
Let’s dig in.
The Growing Need: Hearing Loss Across the Lifespan
As people age, their hearing often changes gradually. The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders estimates that about 1 in 8 Americans ages 12 or older has hearing loss in both ears.
For adults 65 to 74, roughly 22 percent have disabling hearing loss, and that number climbs to 55 percent among those 75 and older (NIDCD).
More recent research published by the National Institutes of Health shows that nearly two-thirds of adults age 71 and above have measurable hearing loss, and by age 90, almost all experience some degree of loss (PMC Study on Age-Related Hearing Loss).
Hearing loss often begins subtly with difficulty following conversations in noisy rooms, turning up the television, or misunderstanding phone calls.
Because the change is gradual, many people do not realize how much it affects daily life until communication becomes difficult or isolating.
Hearing Aid Adoption Over Time: Modest Gains, Big Gaps
Hearing aid use in the United States has improved, but the gap between need and adoption remains wide.
In the late 1980s, only 23 percent of people with hearing loss used hearing aids. By 2022, that number had climbed to 38 percent, according to MarkeTrak data (Hearing Review).
When personal sound amplifiers and implants are included, total device adoption reaches roughly 42 percent among people with hearing difficulty.
Despite this progress, millions still go untreated. A 2023 JAMA Network Open study found that only 29.2 percent of adults with hearing loss use hearing aids (JAMA Network).
For older populations, particularly those 70 and above, use increased from 15 percent in 2011 to 18.5 percent by 2018 (Nesilv Analysis of NHANES Data). While encouraging, these numbers still represent a large untreated majority.
Who Wears Hearing Aids—and Who Doesn’t
Age
Adoption rises sharply with age. Among adults 50–59, hearing aid use averages around 4 percent, while those 80 and older report rates closer to 22 percent (PMC Study on Hearing Aid Use in Older Adults). Even among seniors, fewer than one in three who could benefit from hearing aids actually wear them.
Gender
Men are slightly more likely than women to use hearing aids. Among adults 45 and older, 9 percent of men report using hearing aids compared to 5 percent of women (CDC National Center for Health Statistics).
The pattern holds across age groups: in adults aged 75–84, 26.7 percent of men versus 13.7 percent of women used hearing aids (CDC MMWR 2023).
Income and education
People with higher income and education levels are significantly more likely to use hearing aids. A National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey found that older adults in the top income brackets were up to 66 percent more likely to use hearing aids than those in the lowest bracket (PMC Study on Socioeconomic Factors).
Those who have had a recent hearing test evaluation are also far more likely to adopt devices. Adults who had a hearing test within the past four years were nearly three times more likely to use hearing aids than those who had not been tested recently (PMC Study on Hearing Testing and Use).
Race and ethnicity
White adults are more likely to use hearing aids than Black or Hispanic adults, due in part to income differences and healthcare access. A JAMA study found persistent racial and ethnic gaps in hearing aid use even after adjusting for severity and income (JAMA Network Study).
Delay in adoption
Many people wait years before taking action. Research shows an average delay of 8.9 years between identifying hearing loss and purchasing hearing aids.
Some know they have hearing problems for more than a decade before seeking treatment, often waiting until communication becomes too difficult or relationships begin to suffer.
What Holds People Back From Hearing Aid Adoption?
Cost and affordability
Hearing aids can cost between $3,000 and $6,000 per pair, depending on features. Many insurance plans offer limited coverage, leaving patients to pay out of pocket (Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health).
Stigma and perception
Some people resist using hearing aids because they associate them with aging or disability. Others underestimate how much untreated hearing loss affects quality of life (American Speech-Language-Hearing Association).
Comfort and fit
If the device feels uncomfortable or amplifies background noise too much, many users give up early. Modern digital models are improving in this area but require fine-tuning by professionals to achieve the best result (PMC Study on Device Satisfaction).
Access to care
Rural areas often lack audiologists or hearing care clinics, which limits testing and fitting services. This is especially relevant for aging populations in small towns and remote regions.
Regulatory change
Until 2022, hearing aids could only be sold through licensed professionals. The FDA’s new over-the-counter hearing aid rule now allows adults with mild to moderate hearing loss to buy devices directly (FDA Announcement).
Why Hearing Aids Matter
Hearing aids do more than restore volume. They reconnect people to conversation, community, and confidence.
Research links consistent hearing aid use to lower rates of depression, cognitive decline, and falls.
A study published in The Lancet found that adults with untreated hearing loss had significantly higher risks of cognitive impairment, while those who used hearing aids showed outcomes similar to peers without hearing loss.
Treating hearing loss can also improve relationships and independence. Communication strengthens, isolation decreases, and overall well-being improves. Because of these far-reaching effects, hearing health is increasingly recognized as a public health priority, not just an individual choice.
The Future of Hearing Aid Use
Technology and regulation are transforming access to hearing care. Over-the-counter hearing aids now make amplification more affordable and easier to try. Smartphone-compatible models and self-fitting apps allow users to adjust settings without multiple office visits.
Meanwhile, awareness campaigns and new financing options are helping reduce stigma and cost barriers. With an aging Baby Boomer generation and better tools available, experts expect hearing aid use to grow steadily over the next decade.
For audiology clinics that offer hearing aids like Big Sky Audiology, this represents an opportunity to guide patients through testing, fitting, and long-term support—helping more people reconnect with the sounds of daily life.
Hearing Loss and Hearing Aid Use by Age
| Age Range | Approximate Hearing Loss Prevalence | Hearing Aid Use Among Those with Hearing Loss |
|---|---|---|
| 50–59 | 10–15% | 4% (PMC) |
| 60–69 | 25–30% | 10% (NIDCD) |
| 70–79 | 45–55% | 20% (Nesilv) |
| 80+ | 65–90% | 22% (PMC) |
Summary of Hearing Aid Usage in America
Hearing loss affects tens of millions of Americans, yet most who could benefit from hearing aids never use them. Cost, stigma, and access remain the biggest challenges. Encouragingly, new technology, regulatory changes, and awareness are reshaping the landscape.
Hearing care is not only about improving sound—it’s about restoring connection, safety, and quality of life. If you or someone you love struggles to hear or is dealing with “ringing symptoms,” schedule a hearing evaluation with Big Sky Audiology.
Our experienced audiologists provide personalized testing, device fitting, and support to help you rediscover clear, confident hearing.
FAQs
What percentage of people use hearing aids?
Roughly 38 percent of people with hearing loss use hearing aids. Across the entire U.S. adult population, that equals about 7 to 8 percent of adults.
What percentage of people over 60 wear hearing aids?
Among adults over 60, about 15 to 20 percent use hearing aids, and adoption rises with age. More than 30 percent of those over 80 use them.
Is hearing loss reversible?
Most age-related and noise-induced hearing loss is not reversible, but hearing aids, cochlear implants, and medical treatments can significantly improve communication and quality of life. Temporary hearing loss caused by earwax buildup or infection is often treatable.
What is the average age to get hearing aids?
The average age for first-time hearing aid users in the U.S. is 65 to 70. Many people wait several years after noticing hearing changes before seeking treatment.
