The hearing aid 'effect' revisited in young adults

Hearing impairment is a common ailment in older adults. However, the acceptance of hearing aids by hearing-impaired individuals remains poor. The main reasons given by hearing-impaired individuals for not acquiring a hearing aid are primarily psychosocial in nature. Research suggests that individuals with hearing loss believe that wearing hearing aids will cause them to be perceived as old and/or less competent. The purpose of the present study was to determine the perceptions of young adults towards hearing loss and hearing aids and to compare them to the perceptions of older adults with hearing impairment. A version of the 'Attitudes Toward Loss of Hearing Questionnaire' was administered to young adults and older adults with hearing loss. Results suggest that young adults do not associate hearing aids with ageing or diminished cognitive function, although findings suggest reticence towards wearing amplification. The implications of this study are discussed in terms of increasing public awareness of hearing loss.