Over-the-Counter (OTC) Hearing Aids | NIDCD
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Improving hearing health care for adults in the United States is an urgent public health problem, and contributing to solutions is a priority for NIDCD. Approximately 15 percent of American adults, or 37.5 million people, report some degree of hearing loss. For many of these individuals, assistive technologies such as hearing aids could significantly improve their quality of life, yet only about one in four of those who could benefit from hearing aids has ever used them.| NIDCD
Otosclerosis is a term derived from oto, meaning “of the ear,” and sclerosis, meaning “abnormal hardening of body tissue.” The condition is caused by abnormal bone remodeling in the middle ear. Bone remodeling is a lifelong process in which bone tissue renews itself by replacing old tissue with new. In otosclerosis, abnormal remodeling disrupts the ability of sound to travel from the middle ear to the inner ear. Otosclerosis affects more than three million Americans. Many cases of oto...| NIDCD
LISTEN UP! PROTECT YOUR HEARING. To protect your hearing, use earplugs — and try to avoid loud noises.| NIDCD
Hearing depends on a series of complex steps that change sound waves in the air into electrical signals. Our auditory nerve then carries these signals to the brain. Also available: Journey of Sound to the Brain, an animated video.| NIDCD
Hearing protectors are wearable devices that can lower the intensity of sound that enters your ears.| NIDCD
Want to use this widget on your website or blog? It's simple! Just follow these instructions to add the Hearing Test Widget to your own website.| NIDCD
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The United States marks a significant milestone in advancing hearing health care, as the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) issued its final rule establishing guidelines for over-the-counter (OTC) hearing aids. This landmark rule, released on August 16, 2022, is part of a broader effort to expand access to high-quality, affordable health care for all Americans. OTC hearing aids are intended to address perceived mild to moderate hearing loss in people 18 or older. Now, millions of adults who h...| NIDCD
NIDCD conducts and supports research in the normal and disordered processes of hearing, balance, taste, smell, voice, speech, and language.| NIDCD
Statistics on voice, speech, and language among both adults and children in the U.S.| NIDCD
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How Can I Contact the NIDCD Information Clearinghouse?The Clearinghouse provides information and resources for health professionals, patients, industry, and the public. To obtain information, call the Clearinghouse Monday through Friday between the hours of 8:30 a.m. and 5 p.m. eastern time. Leave a message to request publications at other times.Voice: (800) 241-1044TTY: (800) 241-1055Or, write:NIDCD Information Clearinghouse1 Communication AvenueBethesda, MD 20892-3456| NIDCD
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An official website of the United States government| NIDCD
Age-related hearing loss (also called presbycusis, pronounced prez-buh-KYOO-sis) is hearing loss that occurs gradually for many of us as we grow older.| NIDCD
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What is an ear infection? An ear infection is an inflammation of the middle ear, usually caused by bacteria, that occurs when fluid builds up behind the eardrum. Anyone can get an ear infection, but children get them more often than adults. Five out of six children will have at least one ear infection by their third birthday.| NIDCD
Statistics on hearing, ear infections, and deafness among both adults and children in the U.S.| NIDCD
American Sign Language (ASL) is a complete, natural language that has the same linguistic properties as spoken languages, with grammar that differs from English.| NIDCD
Tinnitus (pronounced tih-NITE-us or TIN-uh-tus) is the perception of sound that does not have an external source, so other people cannot hear it.| NIDCD
How do speech and language develop? The first 3 years of life, when the brain is developing and maturing, is the most intensive period for acquiring speech and language skills. These skills develop best in a world that is rich with sounds, sights, and consistent exposure to the speech and language of others.| NIDCD
