Hearing aid effect in older females

Area of Science:

• Gerontology
• Audiology
• Social Psychology

Background:

• Non-hearing aid users often hold negative views of hearing aid users, termed the "hearing aid effect."
• Understanding these perceptions is crucial for addressing hearing loss stigma and promoting hearing aid adoption.

Purpose of the Study:

• To objectively and subjectively measure older females' perceptions of hearing aid wearers.
• To investigate the influence of hearing aid use on social perceptions.

Main Methods:

• Twenty older females participated in the study.
• Participants rated an aided and an unaided peer on various attributes after listening to them read.
• Objective (vocal intensity, reading time) and subjective (age, attractiveness, confidence, intelligence, friendliness) measures were employed.

Main Results:

• No significant differences were found in objective measures or perceptions of age and attractiveness.
• Hearing aid wearers were perceived significantly more negatively regarding confidence, intelligence, and friendliness.
• Negative perceptions persisted even when participants were unaware the peer was wearing a hearing aid.

Conclusions:

• The study highlights a negative bias against hearing aid wearers among older females.
• The findings suggest that the "hearing aid effect" may be partly driven by the hearing aid wearer's self-perception and associated stigma.
• Addressing negative self-image could be key to mitigating hearing aid stigma.