Estimates

In 2012, WHO released new estimates on the magnitude of disabling hearing loss. The estimates are based on a review of 42 population-based studies carried out up to 2010. Based on these, the estimates are as follows:

  • There are 360 million persons in the world with disabling hearing loss (5.3% of the world's population)
  • 328 million (91%)of these are adults (183 million males, 145 million females)
  • 32 million (9%) of these are children
  • The prevalence of disabling hearing loss in children is greatest in South Asia, Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa
  • Approximately one-third of persons over 65 years are affected by disabling hearing loss
  • The prevalence of disabling hearing loss in adults over 65 years is highest in South Asia, Asia Pacific and Sub-Saharan Africa

Below is a short PowerPoint presentation that provides further information on these estimates.

Below is a FAQ sheet on issues around these estimates.