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  5. Prevalence of deafness and hearing loss

Prevalence of deafness and hearing loss

  • One in three adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus. 
  • Over 18 million adults in the UK are deaf, have hearing loss or tinnitus.
  • Over half the population aged 55 or more have hearing loss.  
  • Almost 80% of people over the age of 70 will have hearing loss.  
  • An estimated 2.4 million adults in the UK have a level of hearing loss that means they would struggle to hear most conversational speech. 

Sources

Our hearing loss population estimates are calculated using the most robust data available on the prevalence of hearing loss (average hearing levels of 25dB or worse in one or both ears) for adults in the UK, combined with population estimates from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). 

Read the report on hearing in adults from the MRC National Study of Hearing. 

More like this

Prevalence of British Sign Language

There is no consensus on the total number of BSL users or deaf BSL users in the UK. There is enormous variation in the available estimates which makes it difficult to plan appropriate support and service provision.

Prevalence of tinnitus

Facts and statements about the prevalence of tinnitus in the UK, gathered from RNID-led research.

Page last updated: 8 December 2025

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