U.S. Population Data on Self-Reported Trouble Hearing and Hearing-Aid Use in Adults: National Health Interview Survey, 2007–2018

Abstract

The National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) data on self-reported trouble hearing and the use of hearing aids were examined for the 12 recent surveys from 2007 to 2018 for adults from 18 to 85+ years of age. The aggregate dataset for all years included data from 357,714 adult respondents. Sample size for annual data ranged from 22,058 (2008) to 36,798 (2014). The prevalence of self-reported trouble hearing and hearing aid use, both current use and ever-using hearing aids, are reported for males and females for each age decade. Measures of unmet hearing healthcare (HHC) need were derived from estimates of the prevalence of hearing aid use among those with self-reported trouble hearing. Logistic-regression analyses identified variables affecting the odds of having self-reported trouble hearing, of using or rejecting hearing aids, and of having unmet HHC needs. The results largely corroborate and extend the findings of recent analyses of data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) for a similar period (2011–2020). Overall, for males, 18.5% (95% CI [18.2%–18.8%]) had self-reported trouble hearing and 76.6% [76.0%–77.2%] of these individuals had never used hearing aids and, for females 13.1% [12.9%–13.4%] had trouble hearing and 79.5% [78.9%–80.1%] of these individuals had never used hearing aids. Unmet HHC needs are highly prevalent in the United States and have been so for many years.

Self-Reported Hearing Aid Use in Russian Adults According to a National Survey

“…A similar division of sex in the hearing aid uptake was found in other studies [34,35]. Higher hearing aid use by males is explained by more prevalent hearing loss in males than in females, which was shown in different populations [25][26][27][28].…”

“…Males used hearing aids 1.4 times more than females, whereas, in the older population, the proportion of females was much higher. In NHANES and NHIS, the prevalence of the hearing aid uptake in the male population was also constantly higher than in the female population in all age groups and in the sample overall [26,27]. A similar division of sex in the hearing aid uptake was found in other studies [34,35].…”

“…In 2007-2018, about 22,000 to 37,000 adults aged 18 years and older were enrolled in the survey. The overall prevalence of hearing aid users did not exceed 5% [27].…”

“…Without a hearing aid if you usually wear one"), NHANES, and NHIS ("Which statement best describes your hearing (without a hearing aid or other listening device)?") [25][26][27]. A single yes/no question, "Do you feel you have a hearing loss?"…”