1 in 3 Adults Aged 65–74 Has Hearing Loss—WHO Warns ‘Leisure Noise’ from Earbuds and Concerts Puts a Billion Young People at Risk

The WHO warns that more than one billion young people are at risk of hearing loss from unsafe listening, while hearing loss already affects one in three adults ages 65 to 74. insta_photos/Shutterstock

Hearing loss is often thought of as an unavoidable part of aging, but experts say many cases can be prevented. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), about one in three adults between the ages of 65 and 74 experiences hearing loss, and nearly half of people over 75 are affected. At the same time, WHO warns that more than one billion young people worldwide are at risk of permanent hearing damage because of unsafe listening habits, including loud earbuds, headphones, concerts, clubs, and sporting events. These two trends highlight an important reality: the choices people make today can affect how well they hear decades from now. Protecting your hearing early may help preserve communication, independence, and quality of life later in life.

Hearing Loss Becomes Much More Common After Age 65