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Hearing LossHearing loss is the partial or total inability to hear sound from one or both ears. The condition has grown increasingly common in recent years due to population aging, increased noise exposure, and unsafe listening habits. Loud sounds can cause inner ear hair cells to bend and eventually die over time. More than 5% of the world's population, or some 430 million people, have disabling hearing loss.
For many people with hearing loss, hearing aids can amplify sound and help improve quality of life. These electronic devices can also stave off other injuries since untreated hearing loss amplifies the risk of dementia, cognitive decline, and falls.
Deaf people, meaning those with little or no hearing, may use one of the more than 300 global sign languages to communicate. Cochlear implants are another option, and they have become increasingly affordable. They help deaf people experience the sensation of sound by converting it into electrical impulses that are sent on to the auditory nerve (bypassing inner ear cells entirely). The auditory nerve then transmits those impulses to the brain. The implant uptake has sparked controversy about maintaining aspects of deaf culture and promoting sign language education.Explore Hearing Loss
What we've found
Untreated hearing loss is linked with dementia riskHearing loss does not cause dementia, but it does increase the risk of developing dementia and research suggests that people who wear hearing aids for age-related hearing loss also maintain better brain function than those who don't. The LancetHearing loss is linked with brain volume reductionsThe brain looks different as a result of hearing loss, with reductions in brain volume overall and in specific areas, and these changes are hypothesized to impact cognition. Exactly why hearing loss alters cognition is an active area of research, but theories include that the elevated cognitive load of straining to hear affects brain power available for thinking and memory and that hearing loss leads to social isolation which boosts dementia risk. American Academy of AudiologyHearing loss can affect balance and make falls more likelyFor reasons that are not yet fully understood, hearing loss seems to increase the risk of falls. One explanation is that reduced environmental awareness due to hearing loss may put people at greater risk. Another theory is that the brain has to work harder to process sound with hearing loss and that cognitive load may also boost the chances of falls. One study found that for every 10 decibel increase in hearing loss, there was a 1.4 fold increased odds of falling in the preceding 12 months. National Institutes of HealthAn ear doctor with hearing loss seeks to help those with hearing loss enjoy musicAlex Chern, an ear doctor who has hearing loss himself, dreams of restoring the ability to experience "all the richness and the beauty of the sound of music" for patients—not just functional hearing. Hearing aids amplify sound waves and aren't designed to work well with music that may have varied pitch and volume. Chern is studying how hearing loss and engaging with music may affect cognitive decline. STATChina reports the highest prevalence of hearing loss and South Africa reports the lowestThis conclusion comes from research published in 2025 that analyzed self-reported hearing loss and hearing aid use from long-term studies that covered 28 countries. Its findings included that the countries with the greatest prevalence of hearing loss (China, South Korea, Mexico, and Brazil) also had the lowest levels of hearing aid use. BMJ GroupSee worldwide hearing loss by age group and countryThis 2023 data from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation shows the estimated number of people with complete hearing loss in different age groups per 100,000 people in the population. Individuals aged 70 or older make up the largest group with this type of hearing deficit. Our World in DataSee this graphic describing what different decibel levels mean for hearing lossFrom the sound of a ticking watch, which is roughly 20 decibels, to the sound of a gunshot at 140 decibels, the Hearing Health Foundation breaks down the decibels of daily sounds in this chart, noting that sounds louder than 70 decibels are considered harmful. Hearing Health FoundationMore than 5% of the world's population has disabling hearing lossDisabling hearing loss is defined as hearing loss greater than 35 decibels in the better hearing ear. (For context, that means the sound of leaves rustling, at roughly 30 decibels, would be inaudible even to your better-hearing ear.) The World Health Organization's data suggests that more than 5% of the world's population has this level of loss requiring rehabilitation, which amounts to 430 million people—including 34 million children. World Health OrganizationAge-related hearing loss, known as presbycusis, is a top cause of hearing lossThis video walks through the biology of why presbycusis (prez-buh-kyoo-sis) occurs and its etiology. This type of hearing loss is gradual and typically starts with reductions in the ability to hear high-pitched sounds. Zero To FinalsOne decibel of hearing loss increases tinnitus risk by 6% for older peopleThat's according to an analysis of more than 18,000 people published in BMC Medicine in 2023. The tinnitus risk is not just limited to older people: The research also concluded that one decibel of hearing loss increases the risk of developing tinnitus among young adults by 3 percent. AARPThe first neural devices were cochlear implants, designed to treat hearing lossNeural interfaces connect with our nervous system to restore or enhance abilities, such as hearing or movement. These neuroprostheses have enabled the restoration of mobility, communication, and activities of daily living that might otherwise require a caregiver. The Royal SocietyMapping hearing loss in the USNearly 10% of Americans suffer from some degree of hearing loss, measured as the inability to hear sounds lower than 25 decibels. The incidence of hearing loss increases with age and is typically higher among men. Recent analysis produced a puzzling observation researchers can't quite explain: There's a larger incidence of hearing loss among rural populations than in urban centers. Explore the data with this map and explainer. Sound Check'The digital colonization of flyover states': how datacenters are tearing small-town America apart the Guardian'There cannot be mental atrophy in any person who continues to observe, to remember what he observes, and to seek answers for his unceasing hows and whys about things.'-Alexander Graham Bell (1847-1922) New York PostUsher Syndrome, a rare genetic disorder, causes progressive hearing and vision lossPeople with one of the subtypes of this condition have a genetic mutation that starves cells in the inner ear and the retina of proteins required for detecting sound and light. Gene therapy in animals has seemed like a promising treatment for the condition. Scientific American736,900 cochlear implants had been implanted by 2020 worldwideIn the United States, roughly 118,100 devices had been implanted in adults by that point and 65,000 in children. These estimated figures come from the US Food and Drug Administration, which first approved cochlear implants for adults experiencing hearing loss in the mid-1980s, and collected reports from cochlear implant manufacturers approved for the US market. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication DisordersMore than 90% of American deaf children are born to hearing parentsThe National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders have collated top statistics about hearing loss in the US including differences by age, racial groups, and other factors. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication DisordersKansas has been home to the Museum of Deaf History, Arts & Culture since 2001The Museum of Deaf History, Arts and Culture—a small, independent museum—documents discrimination against the deaf and the unique culture and history of people with hearing loss in the US. Atlas ObscuraBig Ocean is breaking barriers as the world's first deaf K-pop boy bandThe three-person boy band—whose members have different levels of hearing loss—use light systems, vibrations, and a mix of Korean and American Sign Languages, as well as International Sign (which isn't a whole language), to communicate and keep their dance routines in sync. In this interview, a band member with partial hearing describes their challenges. BBC World ReportsOTC hearing aids are now available in the US and cheaper than prescription onesThe devices, available in recent years, are typically more affordable than prescription ones and are intended for people with mild to moderate hearing loss, yet surveys suggest people often don't feel comfortable choosing one on their own. The nonprofit Consumer Reports ranked available OTC options to help patients navigate the market. Consumer ReportsGene therapy is restoring hearing among kids with genetic deafnessGene therapy for profound genetic deafness has been advancing in recent years, with multiple clinical trials enabling hearing at normal levels for the first time without hearing aids or cochlear implants. The therapies target hearing loss caused by mutations in the OTOF gene that codes for a protein called otoferlin. That protein normally plays a key role in relaying sound signals in synaptic transmission between the ear's inner hair cells and the auditory nerve. Ars TechnicaThere's no cure for Ménière's disease, only medications to reduce frequency of attacksMénière's disease is an inner ear problem that can cause vertigo and hearing loss. Most of the time, Ménière's disease affects only one ear. Mayo ClinicMénière's disease is a long-term, inner ear disorder that causes vertigoThis severe vertigo-causing disorder may involve long and recurrent episodes of vertigo. Symptoms of this disease include balance issues and hearing loss, tinnitus, and a feeling of fullness in the ear. It typically affects only one ear and is linked to a buildup of excess fluid in the inner ear. Zero To FinalsLong-lost sisters meet for the first time and accidentally show up in the same dressTwo women aged 51 and 63 discovered they were sisters after taking a 23andMe test. Both born in Russia, the siblings immigrated to the US around the same time. When the time came to finally meet, they coincidentally arrived wearing the same outfit. Beethoven's correspondence in 1801 documented his tinnitus sufferingLudwig van Beethoven's hearing loss is one of the best-known cases of this condition among historical artists. He also suffered from tinnitus and wrote in 1801, "My ears are buzzing and ringing perpetually, day and night. I can with truth say that my life is very wretched…" National Library of MedicineTinnitus is a rare side effect of COVID-19The infection can affect inner ear cells, and a review of the literature across multiple studies concluded that hearing loss occurred in 3.1% of patients with the virus and tinnitus in 4.5%. The ConversationNotch music therapy may filter out some tinnitus frequenciesResearchers in Germany have developed a smartphone app-based therapy for individuals with tinnitus associated with hearing loss. Some people with tinnitus can use this Notch app with their hearing aids to at least partially block sound frequencies matching their tinnitus pitch—turning down the volume of their tinnitus. Karolinska Institutet Musicians are 57% more likely to have tinnitus compared to the general publicMusicians have four times the risk of developing hearing loss, and their risk of developing tinnitus is increased by more than half. Hearing Health FoundationTinnitus estimates vary, but may occur in 10%-15% of the populationThis video discusses the mechanisms underlying tinnitus and explores the knowns and unknowns about the condition. Tinnitus most commonly occurs among those with hearing loss, suggesting that cochlear damage may be a factor. Neuroscientifically ChallengedIf hearing is damaged, the brain may amplify remaining sounds, perhaps causing tinnitusRecent mouse brain and ear imaging revealed that the creature compensates for hearing loss by sending signals to the cochlea in the inner ear. This triggers nerve fibers in the inner ear to increase volume and become more sensitive. Learning about these boosted-sensitivity messages from the brain to the cochlea—if they're similar in humans—might help explain tinnitus and fuel experimental approaches to turn down that sensitivity. Keck School of Medicine of USCPeople with tinnitus should avoid silence—sound-rich environments distract the brainThis podcast from an audiologist discusses common questions about tinnitus. It notes that tinnitus could be described as a phantom sound associated with hyperactivity in the brain. It's linked with loud sound exposures above 85 decibels, hearing loss associated with aging and stress, among other factors. Sound Relief Tinnitus & Hearing CenterFeels-like temperature indicates how our skin will feelWhen the wind is moving faster, we tend to feel colder due to the so-called "wind chill," which cools our bodies by moving heat away from them and making water evaporate faster. On the other hand, high levels of humidity can make us feel 10 degrees warmer at times. Popular ScienceMedicare doesn’t provide coverage for outpatient prescription drugsHowever, it's possible to buy a separate Part D prescription drug policy that covers prescription drugs, or a Medicare Advantage plan that covers both medical and drug costs. This article details a list of eight things that Medicare does and does not cover. KiplingerA 1981 review helped propel Basquiat into superstardom“The Radiant Child,” featured in Artform in December 1981, presented Jean-Michel Basquiat (and, to a lesser degree, Keith Haring) as the genius of the post-graffiti art movement. The critic, Rene Ricard, wrote that, “[o]ne or two words on a Jean-Michel contain the entire history of graffiti.” ArtforumSome animals possess sensitive hearing to help pinpoint prey and map the worldBats and dolphins produce sound to reflect off surfaces and create a mental image of their surroundings. Owls' faces are dish-shaped to help funnel sounds to their ears, including that of mice moving along leaves or snow. Pinnipeds, such as seals and walruses, hear in both air and water. Live ScienceThe biopic 'Deliver Me From Nowhere' was inspired by a podcast episodeThe film’s producers were inspired to pursue the project after hearing an episode of Marc Maron’s “WTF” podcast with Warren Haynes, who wrote the book the film was based on. InsideHookNoise pollution from humans and technology alters animal behaviorAnimals may experience chronic stress and health issues due to noise pollution, which often interferes with their mating sounds. Due to traffic, nightingales sing louder on weekday mornings, and birds near airports start singing earlier to avoid upticks in takeoffs and landings. Smithsonian MagazineThe first glasshouse was constructed in 1931The Maison de Verre in Paris was built to house a doctor's office on the ground level and an apartment upstairs. Unlike the typical model that would follow, this glass house exposed very little of the home's interior. DwellLenny Bruce was arrested for obscenity seven times The first was in 1961, after performing at the Jazz Workshop in San Francisco. Subsequent arrests were in Los Angeles, Chicago, and New York. He died of a morphine overdose in 1966, a year and a half after being found guilty of his New York charge. UMKC School of LawSome dinosaurs evolved night vision and acute hearing for nocturnal huntingPaleontologists analyzed the fossilized eye and ear structures of 16 theropods, finding that some had owl-like hearing and huge pupils. These characteristics are consistent with modern-day nocturnal species, including nightjars and geckos. The ConversationBirds are living dinosaurs that evolved from feathered theropodsTraits associated with birds, including feathers, laying eggs, and hollow bones, were first present in dinosaurs and carried through to their descendants. Fossils of these dinosaurs have been found in a sleeping posture, resembling roosting behavior. BirdLife InternationalWind is the movement of air caused by the sun's uneven heating of EarthThe tilt, curvature, and variations in Earth's surface composition across the globe cause different regions to receive different amounts of solar radiation. As the Earth spins and tries to achieve thermal equilibrium, air masses move and interact, creating wind. NOAAFinancial hardships forced functionality into every piece of Marie Curie's wardrobeCurie's upbringing in a family that lost its fortune when participating in failed uprisings for Polish independence instilled frugality in her. Much of the clothing she purchased, including for special occasions like her wedding, was repurposed for lab use. The Voice of FashionThe clearest sign of a recession is a steady increase of job losses and high unemploymentThe National Bureau of Economic Research (NBER) looks at six key economic indicators, including industrial production, to determine when the economy is experiencing a recession. CBS NewsWhat happened at Ruby Ridge, the 1992 standoff in Idaho? In August 1992, a low-level attempt to arrest Randy Weaver on a firearms charge at his Idaho mountain cabin led to an 11-day standoff and three people dead. Weaver, a paranoid Christian fundamentalist who distrusted government, would become a folk hero among anti-government activists, and the incident would prompt scrutiny of the federal government's use of force. Slate MagazineMicroplastics may cut crop yields and worsen global hungerA major study found that microplastics disrupt photosynthesis in plants and algae, potentially putting an additional 400 million people at risk of starvation within 20 years. The damage from microplastics to crops may already rival the impact of climate change on food supplies. The GuardianBeyond burns, fireworks can harm respiratory, auditory, and visual healthWhile mishandling fireworks can cause severe burns and loss of appendages, there are also risks for viewers of displays. Released particulate matter can cause the surrounding air to resemble wildfire smoke, and the explosions can cause hearing loss and damage to the corneas. TIMEThe Internet of Things connects everyday objects to the internetThe IoT enables physical devices to share data collected via sensors or specialized software, often without human intervention. Controlling the air conditioning and heating in one's home via an app, as well as receiving alerts when away from home about someone at the door, is made possible by the IoT. SimplilearnMixed reality devices can turn digital information into 3D experiencesDescribed as "wearing a theme park on your face," devices like Microsoft's HoloLens project images into users' eyes so that their brains believe virtual objects are actually there. The bulkiness and physical limitations of existing headsets are expected to lessen over time, mimicking the evolution of early headphones. Same Same but TechMedieval elites prized narwhal tusks as mythical “unicorn horns”During the Middle Ages and the Renaissance, narwhal tusks were believed to be unicorn horns, possessing healing and anti-poisonous properties. Coveted by Europe’s elites, they became royal gifts—with one even presented to Queen Elizabeth I by explorer Martin Frobisher. HISTORY