Hearing loss is one of the most common chronic conditions that people in the United States experience. Unfortunately, many adults with hearing difficulties regularly encounter stigmas that negatively impact their daily lives.
This May, which is recognized as National Speech, Language Hearing Month, Dr. Ann DePaolo Wietsma from The Audiology Offices is encouraging everyone to take some simple steps to improve this reality for their family, friends, neighbors, and colleagues with hearing loss.
“Most if not all of us know someone with hearing loss—because it affects one in seven of us,” said Wietsma. “Despite its high prevalence, hearing loss is often misunderstood. People also hold inaccurate perceptions and even stereotypes about those with hearing difficulties. Although these perceptions may be unintentional, they nevertheless can be very damaging.”
The American Speech-Language-Hearing Association commissioned a 2024 poll of more than 1,000 adults with speech, language, or hearing chal...