Hearing loss currently affects more than 1.5 billion people or 20% of the global population; the majority of these (1.16 billion) have mild hearing loss. However, a substantial portion, or 430 million10 people (i.e. 5.5% of the global population) experience moderate or higher levels of hearing loss which, if unaddressed, will most likely impact their daily activities and quality of life. More detailed information about the severity and distribution of hearing loss is presented in the following data.