Hearing loss affects roughly 37.5 million1 adults in the U.S., but not everyone experiences it the same way. Studies show that men and women statistically develop hearing loss at different rates, frequency ranges, and for different reasons.
In this guide, we explore the latest data and research on hearing loss in men vs women in the U.S., including prevalence rates, causes, and treatment gaps.
U.S. Hearing Loss Statistics for Men
- Men Aged 45-64: 16.7% report some level of hearing loss. [CDC]
- Men Aged 65+: 30.9% report some level of hearing loss. [CDC]
- High-Frequency Hearing Loss: Men aged 20–69 are nearly twice as likely to have high-frequency hearing loss compared to women in the same age range. [NIH]
- Long-Term Noise Exposure: 35.6% of men attribute their hearing loss to long-term noise exposure (machinery/power tools). [CDC]
- Natural Aging: 24.5% of men self-attribute their hearing loss to natural aging. [CDC]
- Hearing Aid Use: 9.2% of men aged 45 and older reporting using hearing aids. [CDC]
U.S. Hearing Loss Statistics for Women
- Women Aged 45-64: 10.6% report some level of hearing loss. [CDC]
- Women Aged 65+: 23.5% report some level of hearing loss. [CDC]
- High-Frequency Hearing Loss: Women of all ages have better hearing than men at higher frequencies above 2000Hz. [NIH]
- Low-Frequency Hearing Loss: Women are more likely to have a harder time hearing low frequencies compared to men. [NIH]
- Natural Aging: 45.3% of women self-attribute their hearing loss to natural aging. [CDC]
- Long-Term Noise Exposure: 10.8% of women attribute their hearing loss to long-term noise exposure (machinery/power tools). [CDC]
- Hearing Aid Use: 5.5% of women aged 45 and older reporting using hearing aids. [CDC]
Hearing Loss Rates: Men vs. Women
Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic health conditions in the United States, yet it doesn’t affect everyone equally. Research consistently shows a clear gender gap:
- Men: Men in the U.S. are nearly twice as likely as women to experience hearing loss. One-third of men aged 40 and older are estimated to have hearing loss.2
- Women: One-fifth of women aged 40 and older are estimated to have hearing loss.2
Hearing Frequencies Lost: Men vs. Women
- Men: Are nearly twice as likely as women to have high-frequency hearing loss.1 This means men tend to lose speech-frequency hearing first, which impacts the ability to hear consonants (like s, f, t) and high-pitched voices.
- Women: However, women are more likely to develop low-frequency hearing loss (below 1000-2000-Hz range) compared to men.3 This means that women tend to lose the ability to hear lower vowel sounds (like a, u, o).
Causes of Hearing Loss: Men vs Women
Below is an overview of some of the most common causes of hearing loss for men vs women in the U.S.:
Occupational Noise Exposure
One of the most common causes of noise-induced hearing loss (NIHL) is occupational noise, affecting about 1 in 8 working adults in the U.S.4 Men are statistically more likely to work in environments with hazardous noise levels, such as automotive, energy, aerospace, and defense industries.5 This concentration puts them at a uniquely higher risk for occupational hearing loss.
Loud Recreational Habits
An estimated 40 million adults in the U.S. have noise-induced hearing loss.6 Many recreational activities are a significant source of noise exposure that contributes to permanent hearing damage over time:
- Motorcycles: Motorcycles can reach 121 decibels or higher, which can cause instant hearing damage. While the number of women who own motorcycles has doubled over the past decade, 4 in 5 motorcycle owners are male.7
- Hunting and Shooting: Research shows that men are more likely to own guns and use them for recreational purposes like hunting. About 58% of male gun owners report going shooting or to a gun range often, compared to 40% of women.8
- Unsafe Headphone Use: Listening to headphones at high volumes is a hearing risk that affects everyone. However, studies show that men are more likely to listen to music at harmful volumes compared to women.9
Biological and Health Factors
There are many different biological factors and health conditions that contribute to hearing loss, and some affect men and women differently.
- Age: Regardless of gender, age is the strongest predictor of hearing loss for adults between the ages of 20 and 69.10
- Vascular Diseases: Men experience higher rates of health conditions that affect blood flow to the ear, such as cardiovascular disease and diabetes. These deprive the ears of oxygen and nutrients that they need to function properly. People with diabetes are twice as likely to experience hearing loss.11
- Estrogen/Hormone Changes: Women also face unique health factors that put them at risk of hearing loss. Estrogen plays a direct role in supporting inner ear function, and when it declines, the delicate structures responsible for hearing can face lasting damage.12 Postpartum, menopause, PCOS, autoimmune conditions, chronic stress, and other factors can cause estrogen deficiencies that increase the risk of hearing loss.
Hearing Aid Use: Men vs Women
Approximately 28.8 million adults in the U.S. could benefit from wearing hearing aids.1 However, most people, regardless of gender, wait 7–10 years on average before seeking treatment for hearing loss.13
A CDC National Health Interview Survey found that U.S. men age 45 and older were significantly more likely than women to use hearing aids overall:
- Men: 9.2% of men reported using hearing aids14
- Women: 5.5% of women reported using hearing aids14
Hearing aid use increases with age for both men and women, but male usage outpaces female usage across every age bracket.
Percentage of U.S. men vs women who reported using hearing aids by age group:
| Age Group | % of Men who wear Hearing Aids | % of Women who wear Hearing Aids |
|---|---|---|
| 45-64 | 3% | 1.4% |
| 65-74 | 12.3% | 5.7% |
| 75-84 | 26.7% | 13.7% |
| 85+ | 39.5% | 31.5% |
Consistent hearing aid use is essential for both men and women who want to preserve their hearing, cognitive health, and overall wellness. For all older adults, using hearing aids can slow the risk of cognitive decline by 50%15 and lower the risk of falls by 50% as well.16
Take the First Step Toward Better Hearing
Hearing loss is a widespread condition that affects millions of men and women in the U.S. While these statistics show the serious risks and challenges hearing loss poses, they also highlight how important it is to safeguard your hearing and seek treatment when needed.
If you or a loved one is experiencing signs of hearing loss, Audibel is here to help. Don’t wait. Take the first step toward better hearing today. Find an Audibel clinic near you to schedule an appointment.
References
- Quick statistics about hearing, balance, & dizziness. (2024, September 20). Retrieved from https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/statistics/quick-statistics-hearing
- Goman, A. M., & Lin, F. R. (2016). Prevalence of hearing loss by severity in the United States. American Journal of Public Health, 106(10), 1820–1822. https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2016.303299
- Hearing Loss: Does Gender Play a Role? (n.d.). https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/9746707/
- About occupational hearing loss. (2024, January 18). Noise and Hearing Loss. https://www.cdc.gov/niosh/noise/about/index.html
- Gender gap: Women fill only 33% of manufacturing industry jobs, 26% of industry leadership positions – women in manufacturing. (n.d.). https://www.womeninmanufacturing.org/news/gender-gap-women-fill-only-33-of-manufacturing-industry-jobs-26-of-industry-leadership-positions
- Noise-Induced hearing loss. (2025, April 16). Retrieved from https://www.nidcd.nih.gov/health/noise-induced-hearing-loss
- Council, M. I. (2018, November 30). Motorcycle Ownership Among Women Climbs to 19 Percent. PR Newswire. https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/motorcycle-ownership-among-women-climbs-to-19-percent-300758006.html
- Horowitz, J. M. (2024, April 14). How male and female gun owners in the U.S. compare. Pew Research Center. https://www.pewresearch.org/short-reads/2017/06/29/how-male-and-female-gun-owners-in-the-u-s-compare/
- Parsons, J., Reed, M. B., & Torre, P., III. (2020). Headphones and other risk factors for hearing in young adults. PubMed, 21(100), 116–124. https://doi.org/10.4103/nah.nah_35_19
- Hoffman, H. J., Dobie, R. A., Losonczy, K. G., Themann, C. L., & Flamme, G. A. (2016). Declining prevalence of hearing loss in US adults aged 20 to 69 years. JAMA Otolaryngology–Head & Neck Surgery, 143(3),274. https://doi.org/10.1001/jamaoto.2016.3527
- Hearing Loss Is Common in People with Diabetes. (2015, September 20). National Institutes of Health (NIH). https://www.nih.gov/news-events/news-releases/hearing-loss-common-people-diabetes
- Delhez, A., Lefebvre, P., Péqueux, C., Malgrange, B., & Delacroix, L. (2019). Auditory function and dysfunction: estrogen makes a difference. Cellular and Molecular Life Sciences, 77(4), 619–635. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00018-019-03295-y
- Saunders, G. H., Frederick, M. T., Silverman, S. C., Penman, T., Gardner, A., Chisolm, T. H., Escabi, C. D., Oree, P. H., Westermann, L. C., Sanchez, V. A., & Arnold, M. L. (2018). Hearing screening in the community. Journal of the American Academy of Audiology, 30(2), 145–152. https://doi.org/10.3766/jaaa.17103
- Weeks, J., & Reuben, C. (2023). QuickStats: Percentage* of adults aged ≥45 years who use a hearing aid,† by sex and age group — National Health Interview Survey, United States, 2021§. MMWR Morbidity and Mortality Weekly Report, 72(6), 163. https://doi.org/10.15585/mmwr.mm7206a5
- National Institute on Aging. (2023, September 14). Hearing aids slow cognitive decline in people at high risk. National Institute on Aging. https://www.nia.nih.gov/news/hearing-aids-slow-cognitive-decline-people-high-risk?_gl=1*356dwc*_gcl_au*NjcyODcxMTAxLjE3NzU1OTU2Nzg.
- Campos, L., Prochazka, A., Anderson, M., Kaizer, A., Foster, C., & Hullar, T. (2023). Consistent hearing aid use is associated with lower fall prevalence and risk in older adults with hearing loss. Journal of the American Geriatrics Society, 71(10), 3163–3171. https://doi.org/10.1111/jgs.18461
Have a question or Comment?