Why is denial of hearing loss such a big problem?

Posted by Julie, Volunteer Mentor @julieo4, Mar 12 1:37pm

Every time I see/hear a hearing aid advertisement on TV I want to scream! Ads tell people that hearing aids should be "So small nobody will know you're wearing them." Some even say, "theirs are invisible!" What message does that give? Isn't that marketing denial?

I have used hearing technology for years. I fought getting hearing aids for a long time before I got them. I knew I had hearing loss, but I kept blaming it on the way people talked, or on the noise in the environment. The mere idea of wearing hearing aids embarrassed me.

Even though I knew I was becoming a social drop out, I denied the problems my hearing loss caused; not just for me but also for my family, friends and co-workers. Fast forward...decades have gone by; technology has improved although it's still not perfect but helps immensely. I look back and realize how fortunate I was to meet other people with hearing loss who could talk openly about it without embarrassment.

How do you feel about this?

Interested in more discussions like this? Go to the Hearing Loss Support Group.

imallears | @imallears | Mar 13 7:28am

@julieo4

Oh I am with you on this one and advertisers are not going to stop this tactic.
Most people actually don’t notice hearing aids from my experience. Whenever anyone makes reference to my two powerful Phonak behind the ears aids and mentions that they didn’t notice them I just shrug and say “so what” or something like that. Actually I’m glad if they are noticed. It gives me a chance to briefly educate them.

I’m the one walking around with my Live Transcribe app on my phone pretty much all the time and plop it down on the counter when I’m in the store. It’s amazing that most people don’t comment on that. I also often point to my ears while explaining “I’m deaf” (small d).

I think I’m pretty cool wearing these monster aids and using available technology at my “old age”.

I have been doing this for a long time but I really feel for those new to hearing who are embarrassed that they need aids. Many audiologists and hearing aid providers are guilty of telling their patients that no one will notice them.

As for females and hairstyles….wear your hair the way it looks the best not so you can hide them. I don’t see men trying to hide them and it might be more of a female thing. And, oh yes ladies, wear your beautiful dangling earrings for goodness sakes.

Don’t know if advertisers will change but I would like to see hearing aid companies advertise on TV. That would get people thinking. If you can advertise leaky bladder control on TV why not heating aids.
I do rant.

FL Mary

arrowshooter | @arrowshooter | Mar 14 7:04am

Julie and Mary, the "why" is human nature. People say they don't need hearing help and what they really mean is they don't WANT to need hearing help. None of us do but reality says otherwise.

The industry responds by trying to make and sell hearing aids smaller than a BB. I don't mind how large or obvious my hearing aids are as long as they work well. In fact sometimes it is better if my hearing aids are more obvious so I don't have to explain to everyone that I have hearing loss. But since hearing loss is an invisible disability explaining our needs to others IS necessary.

Even medical providers who know I have hearing loss, during a medical appointment face their computer and type while asking me questions and expect me to hear them. I have to tell they to stop talking to their computer and face me. I always use my phone with a speech to text app running in those situations which helps raise the awareness, but even then they forget. But hearing loss in medical settings is a whole new subject.

sdn1955 | @sdn1955 | Mar 14 9:03am

Agree with the points being made here. Those of us that have to wear aids for a while (and I’m in my 11th year) just care about how well they work and how comfortable they are. We don’t generally particularly care about how they look or whether they’re invisible. People just starting with aids, however, are worried about looking old because they associate hearing loss with old age. Marketers are smart and appeal to these people with small, smaller…..INVISIBLE…..aids that may or may not be appropriate for the type of hearing loss a person has. That’s why, for people who have more serious hearing loss, going to a trained audiologist and getting fitted with appropriate aids is so important.

daveshaw | @daveshaw | Mar 14 10:29am

I couldn’t agree more with all the insightful comments I have just read.
Hearing loss just happens. Whether it is genetic or you spent your youth in a rock band it is real and people have to put their vanity aside and deal with it.
My youngest granddaughter was born with mild hearing loss and wears behind the ear hearing aids like mine. Rather than being embarrassed by them she owns them and many of her fellow kindergarteners have actually gone home and told their parents they want hearings aids like my granddaughter wears.
The first day of kindergarten my daughter asked if she wanted to have her hair combed to try and hide them. Instead she told her to pull her hair back so everyone could see them.
Do we really have to learn from a six year old what should be common sense.
Get hearing aids that fit your needs and don't be ashamed that people might notice. I tell people I wear hearings and many times people are surprised because they didn’t even notice them.
Can you imagine not wearing glasses when you couldn’t see.
My granddaughter tells people that ask that hearing aids to her are like glasses to them.
Let’s get rid of this stupid stigma regarding hearing loss and get out and enjoy life.