Deafness or hearing loss is one of the major problems these days, and many peoples have this disability around the World.
According to WHO, every 4th person on earth will suffer from some form of hearing loss, and it’s truly shocking.
In this DisabilitEase.com guide, I’ll tell you about the percentage of people who are deaf in this World.
Also, I’ll share the major causes of hearing loss in 2022. Let’s get started.
Here is a related article that might interest you on How Do Deaf and Blind People Communicate?
Table of Contents
How Many Deaf People Are There In The World?
There are more than 7 billion people in the World, and according to World Health Organization (WHO), around 5% of the world population suffers from hearing loss. In percentage, this number may seem lower, but when it comes to numbers, more than 360 million people in the World are deaf or have hearing loss problems.
There is also the possibility that this number may be higher but being the World’s top-most health organization, WHO has the most resources and people on the land to get the most accurate data.
It’s also worth mentioning here that the data I shared here is from the WHO Report on Deafness and hearing loss, and it was published in 2020. So, it’s a possibility that this number will be higher in 2022.
During my research, I also came across some statistics from National Center for Health Statistics (NCHS). According to the data, “12 out of every 1000 people under 18 is deaf”. Similarly, According to the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA), over 20% of the US population suffers from some form of hearing loss.
How Many People In The US Are Deaf?
Deafness is also a major problem in the US, and according to Gallaudet University, over 600,000 people in the US are deaf. However, this number doesn’t include all the people who suffer from some form of hearing loss, and it only includes the people who are fully deaf.
However, the great thing about the US is that it has many resources and dedicated laws to enable deaf people. It also has dedicated universities such as Gallaudet institutions which makes it easier for deaf people to get a degree and progress in their lives.
Which US State Has The Highest Deaf Population?
In my research, I was unable to find any official report about it, but there is also other helping material available on the internet. Generally, it has been seen that deaf people tend to live in areas where they get the most facilities.
In the US, we have a special law for deaf people, which means that no matter where you go, businesses and institutions are bound to facilitate you. However, there are some states in the US where you can find some additional facilities, such as deaf schools and colleges. So, the majority of the deaf population is usually found around areas of these schools and colleges. The states such as New York, Texas, California, and Washington have some of the largest clusters of the deaf population. However, other US states such as Florida, Minnesota, and Maryland are also home to big communities of deaf people.
What Are The Causes Of Hearing Loss And Deafness?
Hearing loss and Deafness are two complex disabilities, and there can be various factors or causes behind them. These are the major causes of hearing loss and Deafness.
Ruptured Eardrum
One of the major causes of Deafness in 2022 is a ruptured eardrum. In our ears, we have eardrums that respond to various sounds we get from the outside, and it plays a very important role in what you hear. If it gets affected, it won’t be able to receive sound, and as a result, you will get deaf.
Now the question is: how can the eardrum get ruptured? There are various factors that can damage or rupture your eardrum. Some of the major factors are very loud noise, poking your eardrum with an external object, and an infection.
Damage To The Inner Ear
If you get exposed to very loud noise regularly, it can severely damage your inner ear, and as a result, you can get deaf in one or both ears.
Buildup Of Earwax
Earwax is another thing that can make you partially deaf. It’s not a major cause, but if you don’t regularly clean your ear and the earwax buildup, you can experience a hearing loss problem. However, it can easily be fixed by removing earwax.
How Can I Protect My Ears From Hearing Loss?
Hearing loss can easily be avoided by taking some protective measures. Here are the measures which you can take to protect your ears from hearing loss.
- Protect your ears – If you are someone who’s exposed to high-pitch and loud noises, make sure that you wear protective gear to protect your ears. You can use earplugs or earmuffs to protect your ears from loud noise.
- Get regular checkups – If you work in a noisy environment, it’s very important that you visit your doctor every couple of months to get your ears checked. If you have started experiencing hearing loss, it can be prevented, and a doctor can help you with it.
What Country Has The Highest Deaf Population?
On earth, almost every country has a deaf community, but if you want to know the country with the highest deaf population, it’s Russia.
Is Deaf In One Ear A Disability?
According to the Americans with Disabilities Act (ADA), Deafness in one ear doesn’t come under the definition of disability. Only people who are entirely deaf are considered disabled people.
What Are The 4 Levels Of Deafness?
The audiologists have categorized Deafness into 4 levels, and each level shows the severity of the Deafness.
- If you can’t hear sounds between 21 and 40 dB, your Deafness will be considered mild.
- If you can’t hear sounds between 41 and 70 dB, your Deafness will be considered moderate.
- If you can’t hear sounds between 71 and 95 dB, your Deafness will be considered severe.
- If you can’t hear sounds above 95 decibels, your Deafness will be considered profound.
Conclusion
In this guide, I shared the stats and numbers about the deaf population around the World. I also shared the common causes behind hearing loss and preventive measures which you can take to avoid hearing loss.
I hope that you found this guide useful, and if you liked it, please do share it within your circle. Also, don’t forget to check this guide where I have shared the details of the best deaf universities in the US.
Hi, my name is Eddie, I am a professional trainer specializing in the elderly population and I’m also a website designer. I love training in the gym, going to the beach, traveling, and having good food.
I combined my love for sport and website designing to make “DisabilitEase” whose purpose is to help elderly and disabled people live a more full and active life, have more fun, and enjoy their unique journey despite any disability.