What recent research shows about supporting identity and confidence in hearing care

Our team at The University of Queensland recently contributed to a special issue in the International Journal of Audiology that explored how hearing loss is experienced by adults, their families, and hearing care professionals.

Across this work, one important theme was that hearing care is not only about what people hear. It is also about how they experience everyday life, social situations, and their sense of self.

When people are considering hearing technology, they are often thinking not only about better hearing, but also about how this decision fits with how they see themselves and how they want to participate in everyday life. For clinicians, that is important because it means the way we approach these conversations can help people feel more comfortable, more understood, and more ready to move forward.

Key takeaways from the special issue

These four takeaways highlight practical ways hearing care professionals can create more supportive conversations and help people move forward with greater confidence.

1. Listen for what’s beneath the words

One of the most useful things clinicians can do is listen for what may sit beneath the words a person uses.

Some people may downplay their hearing difficulties by saying their hearing is not that bad. Others may pretend to follow conversations or may not tell others about their hearing loss at all. These responses can offer helpful insight into how someone is managing hearing changes in daily life.

A simple question can open the conversation in a meaningful way: “Who do you tell about your hearing loss?” That question can help reveal how a person is thinking about their hearing, how comfortable they feel discussing it, and where support may be needed.

When clinicians make space for these answers, they create a more supportive starting point for care.

Try this in your next appointment:

• Ask: “Which situations matter most right now?”
• Explore: “In which situations would you like to improve communication?”
• Plan: “Let’s work on how we can make that happen.”
  

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2. Look beyond the device to identity and belonging

It can be easy to assume that hesitation is mainly about whether hearing technology is noticeable. But what this research highlights is that many adults with hearing loss and their families see hearing technology in a positive light.

The bigger issue is often not the device itself. It is how hearing changes connect to identity, aging, or difference, and how a person thinks they may be seen by others. Using language such as “this hearing aid is almost invisible” positions hearing aids as a fix for something shameful, something that should be hidden. Let the client tell you how they feel about hearing aids before assuming they want to hide them.

That is why it helps to look beyond appearance and ask about the situations that feel difficult, effortful, or important. This allows the conversation to focus on the person’s experience rather than on assumptions. It also creates more room to position hearing technology in a positive and relevant way.

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3. Use language that builds confidence

The language clinicians use can make a real difference in how hearing care is experienced.

Conversations that focus mainly on what someone is missing or what may worsen over time can feel discouraging, even when they are well-intended. By contrast, language that focuses on what matters to the person can feel more supportive and motivating.

Instead of saying “your hearing loss is quite significant,” say “here’s what better hearing could look like for you in the situations you care about.”

This kind of language shifts the focus toward participation, connection, and confidence. It helps people see hearing care as something that supports the life they want to live.

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4. Invite family to the conversation

Another positive opportunity is involving family members or close communication partners more intentionally.

Hearing changes are often experienced in conversation with others, and the people around us can play an important role in how we adapt and move forward. They can support understanding, encourage confidence, and help make communication easier in everyday situations. When it is appropriate and you have the client’s permission, involving others in the conversation can help create a more complete and encouraging path forward.

Bringing it into everyday practice

Taken together, these takeaways suggest a simple but meaningful shift in clinical approach.

It is less about starting with the hearing loss itself and more about starting with the person’s experience. That means asking about real-life situations, listening carefully to how people describe those experiences, and responding in ways that support confidence and participation.

Hearing care is not only about improving sound. It is also about helping people stay connected to the people, places, and moments that matter to them. When conversations focus on what matters most to the person, hearing care becomes not only effective, but empowering.

If time is limited, ask “Who do you tell about your hearing loss?” This question helps reveal whether a client is experiencing stigma and opens the door to an empowering conversation.

Want to learn more? 

You can access the full open-access issue here. 

All papers from the University of Queensland’s stigma research program are featured in a special issue of the International Journal of Audiology.