ASHA: New Poll of U.S. Adults Reveals Widespread Inaction on Hearing Loss

Press Release

ROCKVILLE, Md., May 3, 2021 /PRNewswire/ -- With hearing loss ranking as one of the most common chronic health conditions that U.S. adults experience, affecting an estimated 48 million people nationwide, the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association (ASHA) today released new polling results that reveal an overwhelming disconnect between the high value that Americans say they place on their hearing and their low willingness to be treated for any hearing loss. The findings are being made public in tandem with the launch of a new public service announcement (PSA) campaign—Act Now on Hearing—as the nation recognizes Better Hearing & Speech Month this May.

Experience the interactive Multichannel News Release here: https://www.multivu.com/players/English/8871451-new-asha-psa-urges-the-public-to-take-action-on-hearing-health/

The poll of a nationally representative sample of nearly 2,500 U.S. adults ages 18 and older was commissioned by ASHA and conducted by YouGov in mid-March 2021. The following stats are among its key findings:

• 80% of Americans say maintaining their hearing heath is extremely important or very important to their quality of life.

• Yet, only 2 in 10 (20%) adults have had a hearing test in the past 5 years, compared with roughly 6 in 10 (61%) who have had their vision tested.

• More than half (51%) of all adults reported having hearing problems, but only 11% of those respondents have sought treatment.

• More than three-quarters (78%) of those with hearing problems have had these difficulties for 1 or more years—and over one third (35%) have had trouble for 5 or more years.

• A 42% plurality of Americans understand that mild hearing loss can impact a person's life or daily functioning. Yet, more than half of those with untreated hearing problems (56%) say that they would be unlikely to treat it unless it was "severe."

"These results are extremely concerning," said A. Lynn Williams, PhD, CCC-SLP, 2021 ASHA President. "We know, and are consistently learning more, about how untreated hearing loss can not only impact a person's quality of life and mental health, but that it can also be associated with cognitive decline, dementia, preventable hospitalizations, and more. This inaction on hearing health is especially unfortunate because there are effective treatment options that can enable adults with hearing loss to live fuller and more satisfying lives."

Read the full press release on PR Newswire here.