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Approximately 48 million Americans have some form of hearing loss, but only one in five people who could benefit from a hearing aid use one, according to the Hearing Loss Association of America.[1] In 2022, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) established a new category of over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids in an effort to make hearing devices more accessible. OTC hearing aids offer an affordable alternative to traditional prescription hearing aids for people with mild to moderate hearing loss.
To better understand Americans’ sentiments toward hearing aids, Forbes Health and OnePoll surveyed 500 U.S. adults with some level of diagnosed hearing loss. The data explores the benefits of wearing hearing aids, why some people don’t wear them and how hearing loss impacts people’s lives.
Read on to learn about the social barriers associated with hearing impairments—and expert advice on how to reduce hearing aid stigma.
Key Takeaways
- Almost half (46%) of people diagnosed with some degree of hearing loss do not regularly wear a hearing aid.
- Nearly half (48%) of those with hearing loss believe that there is still a stigma associated with wearing a hearing aid.
- Over half (51%) of respondents said the main benefit of wearing a hearing aid is that it allows them to have better communications with friends and family.
- Cost is the most common reason people don’t wear hearing aids, with 56% of respondents saying they’re too expensive.
- The most common social barrier people with hearing loss experience is difficulties hearing important announcements or information in public spaces like airports or train stations, as reported by 55% of respondents.
Hearing Aid Usage: 46% of People With Hearing Loss Are Not Regularly Wearing a Hearing Aid
Despite potentially benefiting from hearing aids, almost half (46%) of people diagnosed with some degree of hearing loss do not wear one regularly. While more than half (54%) of respondents say that they do wear a hearing aid, only 38% wear one for a majority of the week (five to seven days).
People with hearing loss may avoid hearing aids for a number of reasons, including cost, skepticism of hearing devices and mistrust of audiologists, says Lindsey Banks, Au.D., a Florida-based audiologist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. Some people are concerned that hearing specialists are focused on selling them hearing aids, rather than helping them manage their hearing, Dr. Banks explains.
Social stigma also plays a significant role, says Abram Bailey, Au.D., a leading expert on hearing aid technology and a Forbes Health Advisory Board member. The survey data echoes that sentiment, with 48% of respondents saying they believe there is a stigma surrounding wearing hearing aids.
Why Don’t People Wear a Hearing Aid? Nearly Half Believe There Is a Stigma Attached to Them
Survey results indicate nearly half (48%) of those with hearing loss believe that there is still a stigma around wearing a hearing aid. This outlook differs slightly between men (50%) and women (46%) and appears to shift with age. A higher percentage of millennials (63%) believe there is a stigma, compared to older generations like Gen X (47%) and baby boomers (41%).
“Because hearing aids are often associated with aging and disability, some people are hesitant to use them for fear of being seen as old or incapable,” explains Dr. Bailey.
The percentage of respondents who believe there is hearing aid stigma splits between those who wear a hearing aid and those who don’t: Of those who regularly wear their hearing aids five to seven days per week, only 42% believe there is a stigma associated with wearing these devices. That percentage rises to 50% for those who don’t wear hearing aids.
While stigma is a large component of hearing aid hesitancy, respondents cited cost as the primary reason for not wearing hearing aids, with 56% of respondents saying they’re too expensive. Indeed, the average cost of one hearing aid is around $2,000. “Some people just can’t manage that cost, and a lot of insurance companies do not cover them,” says Dr. Banks.
Additionally, some survey respondents report avoiding hearing aids for appearance purposes. Almost one in five people (19%) said they don’t want people to see that they are wearing a hearing aid. What’s more, 66% of respondents say they would be more willing to wear a hearing aid if it wasn’t visible.
However, as hearing aid technology improves, so do the designs. In recent years, the classic bulky models have become less visible and more discreet, says Amy Sarow, Au.D., a Michigan-based clinical audiologist and Forbes Health Advisory Board member. That subtlety may encourage more people to explore hearing aids, which is an important step, considering the benefits these hearing devices may offer.
How Does Wearing a Hearing Aid Benefit People With Hearing Loss?
While hearing aids can’t fully restore regular hearing, they can still help improve general health and well-being, according to Dr. Bailey. “Hearing aids help people to return to a healthy social lifestyle, gain confidence, avoid loneliness and depression and even reduce the risk of cognitive decline,” he says.
When asked about how hearing aids improve their lives, Forbes Health/OnePoll survey respondents say the devices improve their self-confidence (26%), allow them to be more alert (29%), enhance their hearing in noisy environments (37%) and improve their entertainment experiences, such as listening to music, watching TV and attending live events (38%). The largest percentage of respondents (51%) report better communications with friends and family as the greatest impact on their lifestyle.
By wearing a hearing aid, those with hearing loss may feel more confident putting themselves in social situations, because they aren’t as concerned with being unable to follow conversations, Dr. Banks says. “If they’re not treating their hearing loss, they may avoid those social situations because they are embarrassed that they have to continue to ask someone to repeat themselves,” she adds.
What’s more, research indicates that regular hearing aid usage is associated with lower risks of mortality,[2] dementia and cognitive decline.[3]
What Are the Effects of Not Wearing a Hearing Aid?
People with hearing loss who delay seeking treatment may experience negative social, emotional and health impacts, according to Dr. Sarow. They may struggle following or contributing to conversations, which could discourage connection and create a sense of isolation, she says.
“There are trickle down effects that we don’t always think about with hearing aids,” Dr. Sarow explains. “[Hearing loss] can impact almost any facet of your life.” When receiving medical treatment, for example, a person experiencing hearing loss may not fully understand their diagnosis or treatment plan. That communication gap could impact how someone gets the care they need, Dr. Sarow adds.
As for the health impacts associated with hearing loss, research shows that hearing impairments are associated with cognitive decline[4] and a higher risk of dementia in older adults.[5]
How Long Do Those With Hearing Loss Wait to Get Medical Attention?
According to survey findings, 15% of respondents waited more than three years before seeking medical help for hearing loss. However, nearly a quarter of people (24%) sought medical help immediately and 23% sought help within a year.
Additionally, survey responses suggest age may play a factor in how quickly someone gets their hearing checked. More than half (52%) of both millennials and Gen X got their hearing checked within a year or as soon as they noticed a change in their hearing, compared to 38% of baby boomers.
When it comes to gender, survey results indicate women (51%) are more likely than men (42%) to get their hearing checked within a year, or as soon as they notice changes in their hearing. Indeed, one 2016 study found that women are more likely than men to visit their primary care doctor for physical and mental health concerns as well.[6]
For hearing concerns, Dr. Banks recommends seeking care as soon as possible. “The longer you wait to manage your hearing loss, the harder it is to treat later with hearing aids,” she explains. Our brains adapt to hearing loss, reorganizing itself in a way that may not work as well with hearing devices, adds Dr. Banks.
Expert Advice for Reducing Hearing Aid Stigma
Reducing hearing aid stigma isn’t easy, but education may be a helpful first step. For those without hearing loss, Dr. Sarow suggests learning more about hearing loss from trusted sources like the World Health Organization. She also encourages those with hearing loss, if they feel comfortable, to try and speak more openly about their needs. “Clear communication is helpful for everybody,” Dr. Sarow explains.
Along those same lines, Dr. Banks recommends those without hearing loss show their support by asking questions. “If you know somebody has hearing loss and they’re struggling, ask them what you can do to help,” she says, or create an environment where they can thrive. That might include moving to a quieter area in public settings or catching up via video call instead of over the phone.
“A lot of times, the person with hearing loss doesn’t know that other people would be accepting of them getting hearing aids or wearing hearing devices,” notes Dr. Banks. “People who don’t have hearing loss can also help reduce stigma by encouraging family or friends to seek help.”
Methodology
This online survey of 500 Americans with hearing loss was commissioned by Forbes Health and conducted by market research company OnePoll, in accordance with the Market Research Society’s (MRS) code of conduct. Data was collected from February 21 to February 26, 2024. The margin of error is +/- 4.4 points with 95% confidence. This survey was overseen by the OnePoll research team, which is a member of the MRS and has corporate membership with the American Association for Public Opinion Research (AAPOR).
