The Prevalence of Tinnitus in the United States and the Self-Reported Efficacy of Various Treatments

Sergie Kochkin, Ph.D., from The Better Hearing Institute, Richard Tyler, Ph.D., from the University of Iowa, and Jennifer Born, American Tinnitus Association Director of Public Affairs and Tinnitus Today editor, collaborated to determine the prevalence of tinnitus in a nationally representative sample of more than 46,000 households—the largest survey of its kind.

Summary of Findings

• The size of the tinnitus population in the United States is nearly 30 million people—or about 10%.
• 13 million people report they have tinnitus but not hearing loss. However, it is widely acknowledged that people with tinnitus almost always have hearing loss. Therefore, it is likely that the hearing loss population is conceivably higher than previously reported.
• The incidence of tinnitus is as high as 26.7% for people ages 65-84 years.
• The prevalence of tinnitus is correlated with degree of hearing loss; however, it is clear that all levels of hearing loss (mild to severe) can experience tinnitus.
• Nearly 4 in 10 people experience their tinnitus >80% of the time during a typical day; slightly more than 1 in 4 people describe their tinnitus as loud; and about 1 in 5 describe their tinnitus as disabling or nearly disabling.
• Subjects with tinnitus report their tinnitus primarily impacts their ability to hear (39%), concentrate (26%), and sleep (20%).
• Of the nine tinnitus treatment methods assessed, none were tried by more than 7% of the subjects. Treatment methods rated with substantial tinnitus amelioration were hearing aids (34%) and music (30%).
• In a direct query of hearing aid efficacy, 27.8% of hearing aid users reported receiving moderate-to-substantial reduction in their tinnitus when using their hearing aids. About 2 out of 3 people experienced tinnitus relief most of the time to all of the time, while 3 out of 10 (29%) reported that the use of hearing aids alleviated their tinnitus all of the time.
• Subjects who had their hearing aids fit by professionals using comprehensive hearing aid fitting protocols are nearly twice as likely to experience tinnitus relief than respondents fit by hearing care professionals using minimalist hearing aid fitting protocols.
• Almost one-quarter of those with tinnitus describe their tinnitus as disabling or nearly disabling. There is currently no cure. This study confirms that the provision of hearing aids offers substantial benefit to a significant number of people suffering from tinnitus. This fact should be more widely acknowledged in both the audiological and medical communities.

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