Deaf and Hard of Hearing Population in the United States (Expanded Overview)
1. Total Population with Hearing Loss
48 million Americans have some degree of hearing loss. (This is about 15% of the total U.S. population.)
However, this includes a wide range:
Mild, moderate, severe hearing loss
People who use hearing aids, cochlear implants, or none at all
People who identify culturally as Deaf, or simply as having hearing loss
2. People Who Identify as Deaf or Seriously Hard of Hearing
About 11 million Americans (around 3.6% of the U.S. population) consider themselves deaf or have serious difficulty hearing (2021 American Community Survey).
Out of this 11 million:
About 500,000–1 million are estimated to identify as culturally Deaf (with a capital D meaning they are part of the Deaf community, use ASL, and have a strong Deaf identity).
3. Breakdown: Deaf vs. Hard of Hearing
It’s important to distinguish:
Group
Estimate
Notes
Culturally Deaf (use ASL, strong Deaf identity)
~500,000 – 1,000,000
Use ASL as primary language
Hard of Hearing (moderate-severe loss)
~10 million
May use speech, lipreading, hearing aids
Mild Hearing Loss
~38 million
May not use ASL, some may not even realize they have hearing loss
Culturally Deaf individuals often consider themselves part of a unique linguistic and cultural minority, not as having a disability.
Hard of Hearing individuals may or may not use sign language. Many rely on technology (hearing aids, cochlear implants) and spoken communication.
4. Born Deaf vs. Acquired Deafness
Born Deaf (prelingual Deafness):
Around 2–3 out of every 1,000 children are born with a detectable hearing loss in one or both ears (CDC data).
A smaller subset of these children are born profoundly Deaf and become fluent ASL users.
Acquired Deafness:
Most people who are Deaf or hard of hearing lose hearing later in life (due to age, illness, injury, or noise exposure).
Thus, the majority of people with hearing loss in the U.S. became Deaf or hard of hearing after birth.
5. How Many Use American Sign Language (ASL)?
Estimates suggest about 500,000 to 1 million people in the United States use ASL as their primary language.
This includes culturally Deaf individuals and some hearing people (e.g., children of Deaf adults, interpreters, ASL students).
Not every Deaf person uses ASL.
Some prefer spoken English or use Signed Exact English (SEE), Cued Speech, or other systems.
Preferences are influenced by education (mainstream schools vs. Deaf schools), family background (Deaf parents vs. hearing parents), and regional culture.
6. Important Points to Remember
Deaf people are not a monolithic group. Preferences, communication styles, and identities vary widely.
ASL is a distinct language, not just a visual form of English. It has its own grammar, syntax, and cultural norms.
Age matters: Younger generations have greater access to early hearing screening and interventions (which sometimes affect how many children grow up using ASL).
Quick Snapshot:
Category
Estimate
Americans with any hearing loss
~48 million
Americans who are seriously Deaf or Hard of Hearing
~11 million
Culturally Deaf (primary ASL users)
~500,000 – 1 million
Deaf children born each year (with some degree of hearing loss)
