Sound reference
Hearing and safe listening statistics: 2026
Clear, dated figures for writers, educators and shoppers who want to understand the wider context around listening.
Last updated September 15, 2026. Every figure links to its original public source.
The numbers behind everyday sound
Sound belongs in a good day, whether that is a favorite record at home, a long drive or a set played outdoors. These statistics gather a small set of useful, primary-source facts about hearing and listening exposure in one place. They are included for general information, not as medical advice.
people worldwide live with hearing loss
The World Health Organization's World Report on Hearing says about 430 million people have hearing loss that requires rehabilitation.
Source: World Health Organization, World Report on Hearing, 2021people are projected to have some degree of hearing loss by 2050
The same World Health Organization report projects that at least 700 million people will need hearing rehabilitation by 2050.
Source: World Health Organization, World Report on Hearing, 2021U.S. adults report some trouble hearing
That is approximately 15% of Americans age 18 and over.
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, updated September 20, 2024people age 12 and older in the U.S. have hearing loss in both ears
The National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders puts that figure at 13%, or 30 million people, based on standard hearing examinations.
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, updated September 20, 2024of adults ages 20 to 69 with long-term very loud workplace noise exposure have hearing loss in both ears
For adults reporting no occupational noise exposure, the figure is 5.5%. The comparison is drawn from the 2011 to 2012 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, updated September 20, 2024U.S. adults experienced tinnitus lasting at least five minutes in the past year
That is roughly 10% of the U.S. adult population, according to the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders.
Source: National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders, updated September 20, 2024is the World Health Organization's example of a sound level that can be listened to for up to 40 hours a week
The World Health Organization notes that as sound gets louder, the time considered safe gets shorter. Its March 2026 guidance gives 90 dB as four hours a week.
Source: World Health Organization, Safe Listening, updated March 6, 2026Sources and method
How these figures were selected
This page uses figures published by the World Health Organization and the U.S. National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders. Each item keeps the date and scope of the source it summarizes. Different studies measure different populations and use different definitions, so figures should be quoted with their source and date.
The page is reviewed monthly, or earlier when a source publishes a material update. Last reviewed: September 15, 2026.
For writers and researchers
Cite this page
ATE. “Hearing and Safe Listening Statistics: 2026.” Updated September 15, 2026. https://advancedtechnologyera.store/safe-listening-statistics.
For a specific figure, link directly to its source above and use the stable section link for context.
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