Managing Hearing Loss Stigma: Experiences of and Responses to Stigmatizing Attitudes & Behaviors

ABSTRACT

Stigma can negatively affect the lives and the relationships of those who are stigmatized. This study examines one such population that is often stigmatized, individuals with hearing loss. Through the use of interactive qualitative interviews, this study explores how these individuals experience stigma surrounding hearing loss as well as the ways in which they chose to respond to that stigma. Interviews were analyzed to identify five major stigmatizing experiences identified by those with hearing loss: feelings of sorry or pity, not feeling worth others’ time, being labeled as “not normal”, the perception that hearing loss limits capabilities and intelligence, and the idea that hearing loss is different from other types of disabilities. Further, thematic analysis identified five types of responses to stigma utilized by the participants: avoiding/ignoring, asserting oneself, viewing it as an education opportunity, having a positive attitude, and reframing stigmatizing experiences.

KEYWORDS:

• Stigma
• hearing loss
• hard of hearing
• stigma response
• qualitative method

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.