No more hiding
Too many of us wait years to get help. Going without hearing support has real costs: isolation, strain at work, and a higher risk of dementia later in life. Asking for help is a strength.
We're done whispering about it.
A growing community of audient people. We're here to drop the shame, get the support we need, and change how the world talks with us.
What does it mean?
audient
/ AW-dee-ent / adjective & noun
A person who hears differently, with anywhere from slight to severe hearing loss. Often called hard of hearing. Not deaf. Not "impaired." Audient.
- "I'm audient."
- "She's an audient designer."
- "The audient community."
Our mission
What we're here to do
Millions of us are audient, and most of us were taught to keep quiet about it. We think that needs to change.
Better conversations
Most communication problems are easy to fix once people know how. We teach family, friends, coworkers and companies simple habits that make every conversation work.
A stronger voice
Together we can push for change: better and more affordable hearing devices, captions by default, and public spaces that don't rely on sound alone.
Know where we stand
We track what life is like for audient people in the US and around the world, so we can see what's improving and what isn't.
One place to start
Plenty of great organizations, tools and support groups already exist. We want to be the front door that helps you find them.
A community you're proud of
Being audient is part of who we are. We're building a community that's confident, visible and loud about it.
The numbers
It's not an "old person" thing anymore
Earbuds, concerts, loud jobs and loud cities are changing who is audient. Hearing damage now shows up in people's 20s about as often as in their 60s.
- 20–29 19.2%
- 30–39 24.9%
- 40–49 29.0%
- 50–59 27.3%
- 60–69 20.6%
People in their 20s: 19.2%. People in their 60s: 20.6%. Nearly the same.
- ~45% Under 70of US adults with hearing loss are younger than 70. Nearly half.
- 1 in 4 Without knowingadults who say their hearing is excellent or good already show signs of damage on a hearing test.
- 1B+ Ages 12–35, worldwideyoung people are at risk of permanent hearing loss from unsafe listening.
And most of us go without help
16 in 100
US adults aged 20 to 69 who could benefit from hearing aids have ever used them. For adults 70 and older, it's fewer than 1 in 3.
- 1 in 8 United Statespeople aged 12 and older have hearing loss in both ears. That's about 30 million people.
- 430M Worldwidepeople need care for disabling hearing loss today.
- 2.5B By 2050people are expected to have some degree of hearing loss. That's about 1 in 4 people on Earth.
- $1T Every yearis what unaddressed hearing loss costs the global economy, in US dollars.
Sources: CDC Vital Signs: Noise-Induced Hearing Loss Among Adults (2017) · Goman, Reed & Lin, JAMA Otolaryngology (2017) · NIDCD Quick Statistics About Hearing · WHO Deafness and Hearing Loss fact sheet
For hearing people
How to talk with us
Small habits make a big difference. Share these with your family, your friends and your team.
Get our attention first
Say our name, wave, or tap a shoulder before you start talking. The first few words are the easiest to miss.
Face us, in good light
We read your face and lips more than you think. Don't talk while turning away, walking off, or covering your mouth.
Speak clearly. Don't shout.
Shouting distorts sound and makes it harder to understand. A steady pace and clear words work better.
Rephrase, don't just repeat
If a word didn't land the first time, try different words. Some sounds are harder to hear than others.
Lower the noise
Pick the quieter table, turn down the music, and take turns talking in groups.
Turn on captions
On video calls, in meetings, and on videos you share. Captions help everyone.
Never say "never mind"
It shuts us out of the conversation. If it was worth saying once, it's worth saying again.
For workplaces and businesses
Bring better communication to your team
Audient people work everywhere, often without anyone knowing. We're building short, practical training for companies, venues and customer service teams.
Coming soon
- Running meetings and calls that everyone can follow
- Serving audient customers in person and on the phone
- Replacing sound-only alerts and announcements
- Making captions and written follow-ups the default
Join us
Be part of it from the start
Become a member
It's free. Members get updates, early invites to meetups and events, and a say in what we push for next. Tell us a little about you so we can see who we're reaching.
Only name and email are required. We never sell or share your information, and hearing questions are only used as totals. How we use your information.
Follow along
New videos, tips and stories from the community. Find us at @weareaudientofficial, and @weareaudient on X. This is where we're most active right now.
Want to reach us directly? Email hello@weareaudient.org.
Meet each other
We're building an online space where audient people can connect, share what works, and find support. It will live at weareaudient.net.
Coming soon
Support the work
Donations will open soon, along with a clear plan for every dollar.
Coming soon
Wear it proud
Shirts, hats and more, so you can say it without saying a word. Proceeds will go back into the mission.
Coming soon