Hearing Loss Statistics

Read the latest industry statistics on hearing loss including noise-induced hearing loss at work

Although everyone can be affected by noise, construction, manufacturing and engineering are just a few of the sectors which noise is a major health and safety hazard at work. Using noisy power tools such as pneumatic impact tools or explosive sources that produce a high level of sound can lead to a high-risk environment with regards to hearing problems. An estimated 17,000 workers in the UK suffered with work-related hearing problems from 2017/18 - 2019/20¹.

With years of experience in the hearing protection sector, Arco has put together statistics on hearing loss to uncover the extent of the problem and highlight why reduction and protection are necessary when it comes to noise levels.

Here are a few statistics on hearing loss:

More than 12 million people in the UK suffer from hearing loss, that's 1 in 5 adults²
More than 900,000 people are severely or profoundly deaf³
4.4 million people are of working age (16–64 years old)³
8 million are aged 60 or over³
More than 40% of people over the age of 50 have hearing loss²
7.1 million adults are living with tinnitus²

And it's set to get worse…³

An estimated 15.6 million people will suffer with hearing loss by 2035
If lower employment rates for those with hearing loss is not addressed, by 2030 the UK economy will lose £38.6bn per year in potential economic output
According to NHS England, the World Health Organisation predicts that by 2030 adult onset hearing loss will be in the top ten disease burdens, above cataracts and diabetes

Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Hearing loss is a prevalent age-related disorder. As the fourth leading cause of years lived with disability in the global population.

It is estimated to affect one in three adults aged 65 and older, with this statistic growing annually
Hearing impairment has debilitating consequences on functional ability and social and emotional welfare. Deteriorations in hearing impact on individuals' ability to communicate with others, which in turn can result in feelings of frustration, isolation, loneliness
Another significant effect of hearing loss is that of increased risk of cognitive decline or dementia
A meta-analysis published by the Lancet Commission showed that hearing loss can almost double the risk of incident dementia (RR 1.94, 95% CI 1.38 to 2.73)(7)⁴

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Takes time to develop
Causes no pain, visible trauma or scars
Is unnoticeable in its infancy stage
Accumulates with every over exposure
Is permanent and 100% preventable

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Some UK NIHL Statistics:

170,000 suffer deafness, tinnitus or other ear conditions in the UK⁶
95 new claims for work-related deafness in 2019 (IIDB)⁷, up 72% from previous year
Over the last 10 years, just five of the 1,125 cases were female⁷ reflecting the workplace environment with regards to hearing problems
In the UK, over 400,000 claims of noise-induced hearing loss were notified between 2010 and 2017⁸
NIHL claims cost over £120 million in 2017⁸

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss at Work

Noise-induced hearing loss is the second most common reason for occupational health-related employers' liability insurance claims⁵.

2 million exposed above the LOWER exposure action value⁵
1 million exposed above the UPPER exposure action value⁵

Download a copy of our Hearing Loss Statistics Infographic to find out more about hearing loss.

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Recommended Products

View our comprehensive range of hearing protection products including earplugs, ear defenders and communication solutions.

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Code:3M0323

| Ex VAT Inc VAT

Code:2M0025

£116.10

Pairs | Ex VAT Inc VAT

Code:210100

Pairs | Ex VAT Inc VAT

Code:3M0513

£2,770.80

Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT

Code:2S3800

£171.60

Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT

Code:2S4300

Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT

Code:B423560

£325.20

Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT

Honeywell Sync Wireless Impact - 1034321-0, Bluetooth headset with hearthrough function Generic dimension One Size

Code:290200

£453.60

Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT

It-39 Pro+Aware Bluetooth LD Ear Plugs Pack Size (prs) 1

Code:1739200

£149.99

Pairs | Ex VAT Inc VAT

IT-35 Link+Aware Bluetooth LD Ear Defenders Primary Base Colour Green Secondary Base Colour Black

Code:2R5000

£149.99

Each | Ex VAT Inc VAT

Sources and Useful References

1 HSE Statistics

2 RIND: Hearing matters

3 Facts about deafness and hearing loss

4 WHO Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline & Dementia

5 HSE: Noise Topic Inspection Pack

6 HSE: Health Surveillance for Noise Induced Hearing Loss

7 Noise induced hearing loss in Great Britain

8 UK Deafness Claims

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Hearing Loss Statistics

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Risk Reduction of Cognitive Decline and Dementia

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss (NIHL)

Some UK NIHL Statistics:

Noise-Induced Hearing Loss at Work

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