The prevalence of intellectual disability within the population is about 3%.  Studies suggest within this population up to 73% could have a hearing loss. In a Canadian study incidence of hearing loss amongst adults with developmental disabilities has been reported as occurring in 66% of all cases.

Those with intellectual and developmental disabilities are at particular risk of being underrepresented within healthcare programmes and initiatives. Dependence on a third party for access to services may, in many cases mean no access to services. Low expectation levels together with poor understanding of the effects of hearing loss on behaviour by carers leads means that many adults who have hearing loss
have the sensory loss attributed to learning disability.