Overview
- A new Robert Koch‑Institut analysis shows 32.5% of surveyed adults in Germany report hearing difficulties, with men slightly more affected than women and about half of people aged 80 or older reporting problems.
- The report links hearing impairment to poorer self‑rated health, lower social support, more depressive symptoms, and higher outpatient health‑care use.
- Hearing‑aid use rose between 2009 and 2019 and roughly five percent of respondents wore a device, yet the RKI and national studies identify underprovision of aids and services, especially in rural areas.
- The RKI cites WHO guidance and urges prevention through noise protection, earlier screening and diagnosis, need‑based provision of hearing aids, rehabilitation, and better communication with people who have hearing loss.
- Because Germany’s population is ageing, the absolute number of people with hearing problems is likely to grow, which could raise demand on health services and make wider access to screening and rehabilitation a public‑health priority.