Measures › Disability › Hearing Disability
Disability · BRFSS 2023
Hearing disability among adults
US estimate 6.7% (95% interval 6.6–6.9), age-adjusted 5.8% (5.7–6.0). Published in the 2023, 2024, 2025 releases.
- Population: All Adults
- Case definition period: Lifetime
- Prevalence (crude and age-adjusted)
Hearing disability among adults: CDC's PLACES 2025 release estimates 6.7% nationally (95% confidence interval 6.6–6.9%), or 5.8% age-adjusted, from 2023 BRFSS responses.
Across the 2,956 counties with a 2025 estimate, the median county is 8.6% and the middle half of counties fall between 7.5% and 9.7%; the full range runs from 3.9% to 16.1%. Population-weighted state figures computed by this site (no interval) range from 3.9% (District of Columbia) to 9.3% (Idaho).
CDC advises that areas may be compared on individual measures but that the estimates should not be used to rank overall health; the county lists below are ordered by point estimate and every row carries its 95% confidence interval.
CDC's definition
A multi-level regression, post-stratification approach was applied to BRFSS and ACS data to compute a detailed probability of having a hearing disability (reporting ‘yes’ to the question: “Are you deaf or do you have serious difficulty hearing?”). The probability was then applied to the detailed population estimates at the appropriate geographic level to generate the prevalence. The 95% confidence interval was derived using Monte Carlo simulation.
Quoted from CDC's PLACES measure definitions (cdc.gov/places/measure-definitions). BRFSS is the Behavioral Risk Factor Surveillance System, the telephone survey the model is trained on.
National distribution across counties
Crude county point estimates in the 2025 release, 24 equal bins. Deciles: 10th 6.4%, 25th 7.5%, median 8.6%, 75th 9.7%, 90th 10.8%. Counties without a 2025 estimate (Kentucky, Pennsylvania and the states without the social-needs module) are excluded here.
By state
Crude prevalence is the estimated share of all adults. Age-adjusted prevalence is standardised to the 2000 US standard population so that areas with different age structures can be compared. CDC: "Age-adjusted estimates are only available at the county and place-level."
| State | State figure, crude (site aggregate) | Lowest county | Highest county | Counties |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 9.3% | 5.7% | 14.2% | 44 |
| Oklahoma | 9.1% | 7.5% | 13.4% | 77 |
| Kentucky (2024 release) | 9.0% | 6.4% | 14.6% | 120* |
| West Virginia | 9.0% | 6.1% | 12.4% | 55 |
| Arkansas | 8.6% | 6.9% | 13.0% | 75 |
| Montana | 8.6% | 6.0% | 14.6% | 56 |
| New Mexico | 8.5% | 5.9% | 14.3% | 33 |
| Maine | 8.4% | 6.9% | 10.8% | 16 |
| Missouri | 8.3% | 6.2% | 15.1% | 115 |
| Alabama | 8.2% | 6.7% | 11.5% | 67 |
| South Dakota | 8.2% | 6.3% | 13.9% | 66 |
| Arizona | 8.1% | 7.1% | 16.1% | 15 |
| Mississippi | 8.1% | 6.2% | 11.1% | 82 |
| Louisiana | 8.0% | 6.6% | 11.8% | 64 |
| Wyoming | 8.0% | 5.9% | 11.1% | 23 |
| North Dakota | 7.8% | 6.1% | 13.1% | 53 |
| Alaska | 7.7% | 5.9% | 13.0% | 30 |
| Vermont | 7.7% | 6.0% | 10.9% | 14 |
| Florida | 7.6% | 5.6% | 12.7% | 67 |
| Pennsylvania (2024 release) | 7.6% | 6.0% | 11.8% | 67* |
| Tennessee | 7.6% | 5.6% | 12.8% | 95 |
| Iowa | 7.4% | 5.4% | 10.5% | 99 |
| Kansas | 7.4% | 5.5% | 12.0% | 105 |
| Michigan | 7.3% | 5.8% | 12.1% | 83 |
| North Carolina | 7.3% | 5.4% | 11.6% | 100 |
| Nebraska | 7.3% | 5.9% | 12.5% | 93 |
| Nevada | 7.3% | 7.0% | 13.6% | 17 |
| Hawaii | 7.2% | 6.8% | 12.4% | 5 |
| New Hampshire | 7.2% | 6.7% | 9.8% | 10 |
| Indiana | 7.1% | 5.3% | 10.4% | 92 |
| Oregon | 7.1% | 5.5% | 12.0% | 36 |
| South Carolina | 7.0% | 5.2% | 10.7% | 46 |
| Wisconsin | 6.9% | 5.3% | 10.5% | 72 |
| Minnesota | 6.8% | 5.6% | 11.3% | 87 |
| Ohio | 6.8% | 5.1% | 10.9% | 88 |
| Delaware | 6.7% | 5.7% | 8.9% | 3 |
| Rhode Island | 6.5% | 6.3% | 7.0% | 5 |
| Colorado | 6.4% | 5.2% | 11.1% | 64 |
| Utah | 6.4% | 5.3% | 12.4% | 29 |
| Virginia | 6.4% | 4.4% | 11.8% | 133 |
| Washington | 6.4% | 4.6% | 11.3% | 39 |
| Texas | 6.3% | 4.7% | 12.9% | 253 |
| Georgia | 6.2% | 4.5% | 11.2% | 159 |
| Illinois | 6.2% | 5.0% | 9.9% | 102 |
| Massachusetts | 6.0% | 4.9% | 8.2% | 14 |
| California | 5.9% | 4.9% | 11.0% | 58 |
| Connecticut | 5.9% | 5.3% | 6.9% | 9 |
| New Jersey | 5.7% | 4.8% | 7.8% | 21 |
| Maryland | 5.6% | 4.5% | 8.8% | 24 |
| New York | 5.6% | 4.8% | 8.6% | 62 |
| District of Columbia | 3.9% | 3.9% | 3.9% | 1 |
| State | State figure, age-adjusted (site aggregate) | Counties |
|---|---|---|
| Idaho | 8.4% | 44 |
| Oklahoma | 8.2% | 77 |
| Kentucky (2024 release) | 7.9% | 120* |
| Alaska | 7.7% | 30 |
| Arkansas | 7.4% | 75 |
| Missouri | 7.2% | 115 |
| Montana | 7.2% | 56 |
| New Mexico | 7.2% | 33 |
| West Virginia | 7.2% | 55 |
| Alabama | 7.1% | 67 |
| Louisiana | 7.1% | 64 |
| Mississippi | 7.1% | 82 |
| South Dakota | 7.1% | 66 |
| North Dakota | 7.0% | 53 |
| Wyoming | 6.9% | 23 |
| Arizona | 6.8% | 15 |
| Tennessee | 6.8% | 95 |
| Utah | 6.7% | 29 |
| Kansas | 6.6% | 105 |
| Maine | 6.6% | 16 |
| Nevada | 6.6% | 17 |
| Iowa | 6.4% | 99 |
| North Carolina | 6.4% | 100 |
| Nebraska | 6.4% | 93 |
| Pennsylvania (2024 release) | 6.4% | 67* |
| Indiana | 6.3% | 92 |
| Michigan | 6.2% | 83 |
| Texas | 6.2% | 253 |
| Vermont | 6.2% | 14 |
| Oregon | 6.1% | 36 |
| Colorado | 6.0% | 64 |
| Florida | 6.0% | 67 |
| New Hampshire | 6.0% | 10 |
| Minnesota | 5.9% | 87 |
| South Carolina | 5.9% | 46 |
| Wisconsin | 5.9% | 72 |
| Georgia | 5.8% | 159 |
| Hawaii | 5.8% | 5 |
| Ohio | 5.8% | 88 |
| Washington | 5.8% | 39 |
| Rhode Island | 5.6% | 5 |
| Virginia | 5.6% | 133 |
| California | 5.4% | 58 |
| Delaware | 5.4% | 3 |
| Illinois | 5.4% | 102 |
| Massachusetts | 5.2% | 14 |
| Connecticut | 5.1% | 9 |
| Maryland | 4.9% | 24 |
| New Jersey | 4.9% | 21 |
| New York | 4.8% | 62 |
| District of Columbia | 4.1% | 1 |
State figures are population-weighted county estimates computed by this site (PLACES publishes no state row) and carry no interval; they are listed by point estimate, which is not a ranking of states' health. Lowest and highest county columns are crude point estimates. * This measure was not published for the state in the 2025 release; its figure, county count and county range come from the release in brackets, the most recent that has them.
Highest county estimates
| County | Crude | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| La Paz County, AZ | 16.1% | 14.0–18.3 |
| Hickory County, MO | 15.1% | 13.3–16.9 |
| Prairie County, MT | 14.6% | 12.9–16.6 |
| Harding County, NM | 14.3% | 12.5–16.2 |
| Butte County, ID | 14.2% | 12.6–16.1 |
| Lewis County, ID | 14.2% | 12.4–15.9 |
| Sierra County, NM | 14.0% | 12.3–15.9 |
| Mellette County, SD | 13.9% | 12.4–15.5 |
| Ozark County, MO | 13.8% | 12.2–15.6 |
| Esmeralda County, NV | 13.6% | 11.8–15.6 |
| Catron County, NM | 13.5% | 11.9–15.1 |
| Pushmataha County, OK | 13.4% | 11.8–15.0 |
| Washington County, ID | 13.2% | 11.6–14.7 |
| McIntosh County, OK | 13.2% | 11.8–14.7 |
| Adams County, ID | 13.1% | 11.5–14.8 |
| Idaho County, ID | 13.1% | 11.5–14.6 |
| Sheridan County, ND | 13.1% | 11.4–15.1 |
| Latimer County, OK | 13.1% | 11.7–14.6 |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK | 13.0% | 11.7–14.4 |
| Stone County, AR | 13.0% | 11.4–14.7 |
| County | Age-adj. | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| Oglala Lakota County, SD | 14.5% | 13.0–16.3 |
| Todd County, SD | 14.0% | 12.5–15.7 |
| Kusilvak Census Area, AK | 13.8% | 12.3–15.5 |
| Sioux County, ND | 13.5% | 12.0–15.1 |
| Bethel Census Area, AK | 12.6% | 11.3–14.2 |
| Buffalo County, SD | 12.1% | 10.7–13.5 |
| Mellette County, SD | 12.1% | 10.9–13.5 |
| Corson County, SD | 11.9% | 10.5–13.3 |
| Ziebach County, SD | 11.9% | 10.6–13.3 |
| McKinley County, NM | 11.5% | 10.2–12.8 |
| Nome Census Area, AK | 11.4% | 10.1–12.7 |
| Dewey County, SD | 11.4% | 10.1–12.7 |
| Northwest Arctic Borough, AK | 11.3% | 10.0–12.7 |
| Yukon-Koyukuk Census Area, AK | 11.3% | 10.1–12.6 |
| Jackson County, SD | 11.2% | 9.9–12.6 |
| Apache County, AZ | 11.1% | 10.0–12.4 |
| Glacier County, MT | 11.1% | 9.8–12.4 |
| Adair County, OK | 11.1% | 9.9–12.3 |
| Bennett County, SD | 11.1% | 9.8–12.4 |
| Rolette County, ND | 11.0% | 9.6–12.3 |
Lowest county estimates
| County | Crude | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia, DC | 3.9% | 3.4–4.4 |
| Arlington County, VA | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Prince George's County, MD | 4.5% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Chattahoochee County, GA | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
| King County, WA | 4.6% | 4.1–5.1 |
| Fulton County, GA | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| Travis County, TX | 4.7% | 4.1–5.3 |
| Loudoun County, VA | 4.8% | 4.1–5.4 |
| Alexandria city, VA | 4.8% | 4.2–5.5 |
| Fort Bend County, TX | 4.8% | 4.2–5.4 |
| Collin County, TX | 4.8% | 4.2–5.4 |
| New York County, NY | 4.8% | 4.2–5.4 |
| Hudson County, NJ | 4.8% | 4.2–5.5 |
| Tompkins County, NY | 4.9% | 4.3–5.6 |
| Howard County, MD | 4.9% | 4.3–5.6 |
| Charles County, MD | 4.9% | 4.4–5.6 |
| Suffolk County, MA | 4.9% | 4.2–5.5 |
| DeKalb County, GA | 4.9% | 4.3–5.6 |
| Clayton County, GA | 4.9% | 4.3–5.6 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 4.9% | 4.3–5.6 |
| County | Age-adj. | 95% interval |
|---|---|---|
| District of Columbia, DC | 4.1% | 3.6–4.7 |
| Prince George's County, MD | 4.2% | 3.7–4.7 |
| Westchester County, NY | 4.3% | 3.7–4.9 |
| New York County, NY | 4.3% | 3.8–4.8 |
| Somerset County, NJ | 4.3% | 3.8–4.9 |
| Queens County, NY | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Nassau County, NY | 4.4% | 3.9–5.1 |
| Howard County, MD | 4.4% | 3.9–5.0 |
| Falls Church city, VA | 4.5% | 3.9–5.2 |
| Morris County, NJ | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
| Bergen County, NJ | 4.5% | 3.9–5.1 |
| King County, WA | 4.6% | 4.1–5.1 |
| Suffolk County, NY | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| Putnam County, NY | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| Kings County, NY | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| Hunterdon County, NJ | 4.6% | 4.0–5.3 |
| Montgomery County, MD | 4.6% | 4.0–5.1 |
| Santa Clara County, CA | 4.6% | 4.1–5.2 |
| San Mateo County, CA | 4.6% | 4.0–5.2 |
| San Francisco County, CA | 4.6% | 4.0–5.3 |
Twenty counties at each end by point estimate. Small counties have wide intervals; many of these intervals overlap one another, so the order within each list is not a meaningful ranking. CDC: "the data should not be used for ranking the overall health of any county, place, census tract, or ZCTA."
National estimate by release
| Release | Crude | Age-adjusted | BRFSS year |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2022 release | — | — | — |
| 2023 release | 6.9% 6.7–7.0 | 6.1% | 2021 |
| 2024 release | 7.1% 6.9–7.2 | 6.2% | 2022 |
| 2025 release | 6.7% 6.6–6.9 | 5.8% | 2023 |
CDC's US row from each release's county file, for reference. Survey questions and modelling details change between releases; see the release pages.
Questions and answers
How does PLACES define "hearing disability among adults"?
A multi-level regression, post-stratification approach was applied to BRFSS and ACS data to compute a detailed probability of having a hearing disability (reporting ‘yes’ to the question: “Are you deaf or do you have serious difficulty hearing?”). The probability was then applied to the detailed population estimates at the appropriate geographic level to generate the prevalence. The 95% confidence interval was derived using Monte Carlo simulation. Population: All Adults. Time period of case definition: Lifetime.
What is the national estimate for hearing Disability?
6.7% (95% confidence interval 6.6–6.9%) crude and 5.8% age-adjusted in the 2025 release.
Which counties have the highest and lowest estimates?
The highest county point estimate is 16.1% (La Paz County, AZ) and the lowest 3.9% (District of Columbia, DC). Because the intervals for neighbouring positions usually overlap, the lists are a reference for point estimates, not a ranking.
Is a higher figure better or worse?
This site does not grade measures. CDC groups them as health outcomes, prevention, health risk behaviors, disability, health status and health-related social needs; for prevention measures such as checkups and screening a higher share reports the service, for the others a higher share reports the condition or circumstance.
Where does this data come from?
CDC PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release (data updated 4 Dec 2025); the definition text is CDC's own from its measure definitions pages.
Provenance
Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, PLACES: Local Data for Better Health, 2025 release (data updated 4 Dec 2025), with the 2022, 2023, 2024 releases for reference; US government work, public domain. Dataset on data.cdc.gov. Boundaries and ZIP-to-county relationships: US Census Bureau. Percentages are shown to one decimal as CDC publishes them; state figures are population-weighted means computed by this site. Definition text is CDC's own, from the PLACES measure definitions pages (public domain), with its burden narrative and references omitted. Processing errors are corrected at the next daily build; see corrections. Generated 1 Oct 2026.