Hearing health survey shows 48.64% of VIC residents report hearing issues ahead of World Hearing Day
Nearly half of Victorian residents report experiencing hearing issues, according to new national data released on 3rd March 2026 for World Hearing Day. The survey found that 48.64% of respondents in Victoria reported hearing problems.
Audika commissioned and released the nationally representative survey, which highlights widespread hearing difficulties alongside low rates of hearing checks. While 48.64% of Victorian respondents reported issues, 55.56% of respondents nationwide reported hearing problems.
More than half of Victorians, 56.03%, said they always, often or sometimes struggled to hear over the past year. In addition, 59.14% reported they had sometimes, often, or always avoided social events due to difficulty following conversations.
Concerns about future well-being also emerged. Among Victorian respondents, 76.26% expressed concern about the impact of age-related hearing changes on their quality of life. Furthermore, 77.43% said they were concerned that changes in hearing could affect their personal independence.
Current health data shows that as many as one in five Australians live with some form of hearing loss. Government projections indicate that by 2060, about 7.8 million Australians could be living with hearing loss.
Mona Hemsley, Director of Audiology at Audika, said the findings provide a clear snapshot of hearing health in Victoria.
“The new data shows hearing difficulties are more common than many Australians or healthcare professionals might realise. What’s particularly concerning is the impact hearing difficulties have on people’s lives, with many surveyed reporting avoiding social situations or feeling left out because they can’t follow conversations as easily as they once could,” says Hemsley.
National behaviour patterns highlight delayed action
The research also identified behaviours that may indicate hearing problems. Nearly one in three respondents, 30.86%, said they often or always turn on captions when available on television, movies or on a computer.
More than half of Australians, 54.22%, reported they sometimes, often or always turn the sound up higher on devices than others prefer. Meanwhile, 64.29% said they choose where to sit or stand so they can hear better, with 29.53% of these respondents adopting this behaviour often or always.
Despite these indicators, 30.01% of Australians said they had never had a hearing test. A further 32.28% reported their last hearing check occurred more than three years ago.
In Victoria, 62.65% of residents said their last hearing check was more than three years ago or that they had never had one.
“We know that hearing loss is a common sensory impairment in older adults, yet it is often under-recognised and poorly managed. This has real consequences for social participation, independence and quality of life,” says Hemsley.
“Our survey shows many Australians may recognise something isn’t right with their hearing, yet continue to delay getting it checked. This World Hearing Day, the key message is simple: early screening tests are easy, and addressing issues early can help maintain connection so you don’t miss the moments that matter,” Mona Hemsley says.
From age 60, annual hearing tests are recommended. However, anyone experiencing difficulty following conversations should seek professional advice earlier. Free hearing checks are available for Australians aged 26 and older.
