Deaf and Hard of Hearing Estimates in Alaska

Below is an estimation of Alaska-specific data based on national-level estimates of the prevalence of all persons and persons over the age of 5 who report some level of hearing impairment with and without the use of a hearing aid.  This estimation uses national-level estimates from the 2003 National Health Interview Survey (NHIS) and the 2001 Survey of Income and Program Participation (SIPP).  All Alaska-specific estimates are applied using the 2008 Alaska population estimate of 679,720 (Alaska Department of Labor and Workforce Development, 2009) and the 2007 U.S. Census Bureau’s American Community Survey estimation of 7.3% (49,619) of Alaska’s population that are under the age of 5 and 6.7% that are aged 65 and over (45,541).  Alaska’s population aged 5 and over:  630,101. 

NHIS DATA
Individuals that are “deaf” across all age groups:  0.22%, or 1,495. 

Individuals having “a lot of trouble” hearing across all age groups:  2.2%, or 14,953.

Individuals having a “little trouble” hearing across all age groups:  10%, or 67,972.

Individuals having “some degree of hearing trouble” across all age groups:  13%, or 88,363.

SIPP DATA
Individuals over the age of 5 who are “functionally deaf” (those identified as being unable to hear normal conversation, even with the use of a hearing aid, or as deaf):  0.38%, or 2,394.

Individuals over the age of 5 who are “hard of hearing” (those identified as having some difficulty hearing normal conversations even with the use of a hearing aid):  3.7%, or 23,313.

DEED DATA
The Alaska Department of Education and Early Development (DEED) conducts an annual statewide Child Count on its students, this includes individuals who receive special education services.  As of October 1, 2008, out of the 17,662 students receiving special education services within the state of Alaska public school system, 163 students were classified as “hearing impaired” and 6 students were classified as “deaf-blind”. 

 

For more information visit: Alaska Deaf, Hard-of-Hearing, and Deaf Blind Council