What are the new hearing loss statistics for the UK?

More Brits living with hearing loss than thought!

Image showing the statistics of hearing loss in the UK

What are the hearing loss statistics for the UK? Researchers at the universities of Manchester and Nottingham say that more than a quarter of the UK's population may have some form of hearing loss. Their analysis shows that about 18 million people are affected – some six million more than previously thought.

Why the huge difference in the statistics?

Previous hearing loss data was gathered using a definition from the 1980s. It left out milder degrees of hearing loss, including problems in only one ear. The team studied the most recent censuses in England, Scotland and Wales and, taking a broader definition, found that a further 4.6 million people were estimated to have hearing loss.

Prof Michael Akeroyd, one of the authors of the study, said he hoped the results would, "encourage more people to realise how common hearing loss is".

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2018 UK Audiologist of the Year

Bridgitte Harley

Director & Audiologist

Bridgitte is an award-winning audiologist with over 25 years’ experience, including senior NHS roles, UCL lecturing, and international recognition from the Ida Institute.

She’s the founder of The Hearing Clinic, the UK’s first to receive the prestigious Inspired by Ida label for Person Centred Care.