People that can\u2019t see well get glasses; sometimes stylish, sometimes designer branded. Athletes with joint problems wear knee braces and elbow guards. We take vitamins, wear smart watches that track our heart beat, and invest in gym equipment to keep our bodies in shape. We\u2019re happy to show off\u00a0all of these health accessories on social media and wear proudly \u2014 a sign of\u00a0the value we place in having a healthy body.<\/p>\n
Yet, for some reason, this changes when it comes to one of our bodies most essential\u00a0ability.\u00a0<\/span>Unlike other health and wellness devices, hearing aids have a connotation of aging that has been hard to shake. Whereas people will eagerly share the news of their new glasses or laser eye surgery with friends, hearing loss remains shrouded in shame and self-consciousness.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n Contents<\/p> \u00a0<\/p>\n In \u201cStigma and Self-Stigma Associated with Acquired Hearing Loss in Adults<\/a>\u201d published in <\/span>Hearing Review<\/span><\/i>, the authors make the distinction that there are actually two main forces leading people to feel ashamed about hearing loss and less likely to seek treatment\/wear a hearing aid. <\/span><\/p>\n First, there\u2019s societal stigma:<\/span>\u00a0\u201cIn most western societies, there is a stigma associated with hearing loss. The general population perceives individuals with hearing loss as being \u2018old,\u2019 \u2018cognitively diminished,\u2019 \u2018poor communication partners,\u2019 and generally \u2018uninteresting.\u2019”\u00a0<\/span>The authors cite Mark S. Kochkin\u2019s conclusion in \u201cWhy 20 million in US Don\u2019t Use Hearing Aids for Their Hearing Loss\u201d that \u201chearing loss is often misunderstood as an intellectual challenge or a deficiency in personality and character.\u201d When we think of characters portrayed in movies and TVs, we can see this statement played out for our amusement often. Hearing loss is often used as a punchline or as a means of dismissing a character as \u201cold\u201d or out-of-touch.\u00a0<\/p>\n The second part of the stigma experience that\u00a0the authors explore is self-stigma. They explain that self-stigma can come from the fear of aging, becoming irrelevant, or dependent on others. The authors cite other studies that detail the effects of self-stigma. It can begin with denial of hearing loss and hiding it from others. Phrases like \u201cIt was the restaurant that was too noisy.\u201d or \u201cI can\u2019t hear you because you\u2019re mumbling again!\u201d are obvious examples of this. Finally, the authors explain that this maladaptive behavior will continue even when a person can no longer deny their hearing loss, in the form of rationalizing and getting defensive. The authors believe it takes a concerted effort to work with an individual to change their pattern of thought regarding their hearing.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n The <\/span>International Journal of Audiology <\/span><\/i>published the study<\/span> \u201c<\/span><\/i>Why Do People Fitted With Hearing Aids Not Wear Them<\/span><\/a>\u201d which compiled many studies conducted over the last several decades. They found that as hearing aid technology has progressed, stigma has also reduced for those willing to go through hearing tests and acquire a hearing aid. There was evidence that the smaller and sleeker the designs got, the less people tended to shy away from wearing them. However, the authors note that this does not take into account the group of people that simply refuse to even seek out hearing help. They noted that out of the 48 million people in the US who could benefit from a hearing aid, 80% do not use one.<\/span><\/p>\n It\u2019s not just an issue with older people either. <\/span>One study<\/span><\/a> looked at young adults (ages 19-40) in India who had moderate to severe hearing loss. A resounding 70% of those surveyed said they would not wear a hearing aid due to social and self-stigma. That means only 3 out of every ten people would get the hearing help they need, just because of social stigma.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n <\/span><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n With the stigma surrounding hearing aids being a stubborn problem, new technology offers hope of changing our collective mindset. As Bluetooth devices and wireless earbuds become commonplace, having something in your ear doesn\u2019t feel as medical device-y as it once did. Products like the Olive Smart Ea<\/a>r, which have a sleeker, more low-profile look are helping to offer an alternative to the clunky hearing devices we all associate with hearing loss. <\/span><\/p>\n As more functionality gets adding to hearing help products, they may become easier to accept, even for the most staunchest hearing loss deniers. Olive Smart Ear for example offers Bluetooth technology that allows you to make and take phone calls directly from the device. This benefit can motivate people reluctant to fully commit to hearing help when they realize that they are getting a Bluetooth device as well. In the future, devices may be able to <\/span>translate conversations<\/span><\/a> across different languages, control everything with voice command, and more, which will make them even more multi-functional and appealing to the consumer. <\/span><\/p>\n Just think of how a mobile phone used to be just a phone you could make calls on, and now look at them. The same may be true for future hearing help products!<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Working to take away the stigma surrounding hearing loss, Olive Union\u2019s Olive Smart Ear<\/a>\u00a0<\/span>is focused on changing the\u00a0stereotype of hearing loss with new innovation. The company realizes that if there was a hearing solution without the looks of a medical device, many people would be more willing to and could benefit from hearing help, across\u00a0all\u00a0age groups. Keeping it stylish, comfortable and\u00a0small\u00a0were some of the top goals of their design team. Adding in conveniences like Bluetooth technology, rechargeability, mobility, and smartphone compatibility were all priorities that went into the final product. <\/span><\/p>\n Olive Union is focused on showing their personal amplification device as a part of any adult\u2019s engaged lifestyle. We want everyone to think of the\u00a0<\/span>Olive Smart Ear<\/a><\/span>\u00a0like a smartwatch or smart glasses, a device that becomes a multi-functional part of any\u00a0persons\u00a0active life.\u00a0\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n <\/p>\n The information in this guide has been written using the following reliable sources:<\/b>\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.hearingreview.com\/hearing-loss\/stigma-and-self-stigma-associated-with-acquired-hearing-loss-in-adults<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/pmc\/articles\/PMC3665209\/<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n https:\/\/www.nidcd.nih.gov\/health\/statistics\/quick-statistics-hearing#:~:text=One%20in%20eight%20people%20in,based%20on%20standard%20hearing%20examinations.&text=About%202%20percent%20of%20adults,adults%20aged%2055%20to%2064.<\/span><\/a><\/p>\nWhere Does This Stigma Come From?\u00a0<\/strong><\/span><\/h2>\n
Hearing Aid Stigma in Real Numbers
<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\nNew Technology is Changing How We View Hearing Loss
<\/b><\/span><\/h2>\nOlive Union’s Mission: Remove the Stigma of Hearing Loss
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