World Hearing Day: Changing Mindsets
Today, March 3rd, is World Hearing Day. This day is an annual global advocacy event for raising hearing health and healthcare awareness, and the theme this year is Changing Mindsets. I recently read an excellent article from fellow hearing health advocate Shari Eberts for Hearing Health and Technology Matters all about what it means to change mindsets, which impelled me to write this blog post.
As Shari explains in her article, there are various types of mindset changes that need to happen in order for hearing care to become available and accessible to everyone. Here I share my thoughts on what exactly these mindsets are, their impact, and how and why they need to change.
Stop the Stereotypes
The stereotype that hearing loss only affects the elderly as a result of aging needs to change. The more society is educated on the fact that hearing loss affects people at all stages of life, the less of a stigma it will become.
27-year-old Tasha Stones did an amazing job representing the d/Deaf community on the Great British Bake Off (GBBO). I’m not generally a fan of reality shows, but I am a fan of baking and have found myself tuning into the GBBO every year for the past 6 or 7 years. This year, Tasha made the show for me! She joined the show with her interpreter, wore her cochlear implant (CI) visible at all times, and used British Sign Language alongside speech. Yeah, Tahsa! Tasha showed that not only are younger people living with hearing loss, but they can do so proudly. More of this, please!
Prioritise Hearing Health
When did you last get your hearing checked? Unless you’ve recently been treated for a hearing loss, the answer is likely some years ago. In 2020, the University of Michigan National Poll on Healthy Aging surveyed a national sample of adults aged 50–80 about their hearing. They found that 80 % of Americans over 50 said their primary care doctor hadn’t asked about their hearing in the past two years, and a whopping 77% hadn’t had their hearing checked by a professional in that same time.
This is a worrying statistic since untreated hearing loss has been connected to a range of health issues including diabetes, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and stroke. Furthermore, associated psychological health issues include depression, cognitive decline, and even dementia. Our hearing health impacts our ability to connect with our loved ones, engage with colleagues, enjoy our hobbies, and the way we interact with the world. Hearing health is vital to overall health.
… Wait, there’s more!
Hearing aids have been found to improve communication, cognitive function, and emotional well-being (yay!), BUT, only 16% of people between the ages of 20 and 69 who need hearing aids actually use them!
We need more awareness of the impact of hearing loss on health and well-being. Doctors and GPs need to start asking patients and their loved ones about their hearing on a regular basis. Are they struggling to hear the TV? Are they having difficulties engaging in conversations in cafes and restaurants?
With more awareness, more people will understand the importance of healthy hearing and be able to access the hearing care they need.
End the Stigma
There is a stigma in society surrounding hearing loss, which stems from a lack of understanding and awareness. Because of this stigma, people with hearing loss may face misconceptions and stereotypes. The invisible nature of hearing loss can also mean that those not affected do not understand the practical and often psychological impact of hearing loss, which further perpetuates the stigma. The stigma around hearing loss can prevent people from getting the hearing care and hearing devices they need.
When I was first learning to live with hearing loss I worried that my communication difficulties would make me look ignorant or unintelligent. My whole life I had watched deaf people being the butt of jokes on TV when they misheard something. “Are you deaf?!” was a common phrase used when someone was annoyed at the other for not hearing or responding - terming “deaf” as an insult. This stigma was ingrained in me. I now realise that this is what the society I grew up in had always told me - So, with time, I decided to stop listening (pun intended!)
Though deaf representation in the media is improving, there is still a long way to go. We need more education and empathy to foster understanding and inclusivity for people with hearing loss in the community.
Let’s Change the Narrative!
Hearing loss is not a limitation but an opportunity for growth!
If you are reading this and you have hearing loss but feel like you need an ally or someone to support you in living proudly with your hearing loss, then you’ve come to the right place.
Through hearing loss coaching, I will support you in taking control of your hearing health so you can start advocating for your needs. We will work on building self-confidence and defining your deaf identity. Together, we can work on finding strategies to figure out the best way forward, and if that means making some changes, let’s make them!
Contact me to arrange a free 15-minute discovery call to see if coaching could be for you.
