One in three adults over the age of 50 are keeping their hearing loss a secret, often because they fear being judged.
An international research program has found that hearing loss is still linked to stereotypes about aging and disability, which can discourage people from seeking help. The findings, published in a special issue of the International Journal of Audiology, draw on eight studies exploring how stigma affects adults with hearing loss, their families, and hearing care professionals.
Stigma Extends Beyond Hearing Aids
The research, led by Dr. Katie Ekberg from Flinders University and Dr. Louise Hickson from The University of Queensland, draws on eight studies exploring how stigma affects adults with hearing loss, their families, and hearing care professionals. Data were collected from interviews, surveys, and real-world video recordings with more than 600 participants across Australia, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
According to the research team, stigma is often linked not just to hearing aids but to hearing loss itself. While clinicians tended to focus on the perceived stigma of devices, adults with hearing loss reported that the condition itself carried a greater social burden.
Many described modern hearing aids as discreet and helpful, but the decision to disclose hearing loss remained difficult.
“For adults with hearing loss, telling others can be a helpful step in working through stigma, though it may require support from professionals and loved ones. The more we know, the better we can support people to feel confident, seek help, and communicate openly.”
–Katie Ekberg, PhD
Emotional and Social Consequences
The findings suggest that hearing loss is not only about missing sounds—it can also lead to loneliness, reduced self-esteem, memory problems, and depression. Nearly 60% of people surveyed said others had made jokes or laughed about their hearing difficulties, which left them feeling uncomfortable and frustrated.
Importantly, those who were open about their hearing loss were more likely to accept and use hearing aids. Dr. Ekberg suggests that simple questions from clinicians, such as “Who do you tell about your hearing loss?”, can provide insight into the emotional barriers clients face.
“For families and the broader community, raising awareness about acquired hearing loss—which often begins from age 50—can help challenge outdated stereotypes that associate hearing loss only with very old age”
The research team has developed practical resources—including clinic posters and conversation guides—to help break down stigma. These tools are aimed at supporting adults with hearing loss, their families, and the public in talking more openly about the condition.
The special issue, To Tell or Not to Tell: Exploring the social process of stigma for adults with hearing loss and their families, was edited by Dr. Ekberg and Professor Hickson and funded by the Hearing Industry Research Consortium.
**The topic of Stigma was the subject of an excellent panel discussion at the 2025 Future of Hearing Healthcare Conference:
Reference:
Ekberg, K., & Hickson, L. (2023). To tell or not to tell? Exploring the social process of stigma for adults with hearing loss and their families: introduction to the special issue. International Journal of Audiology, 64(sup1), S1–S11. https://doi.org/10.1080/14992027.2023.2293651
