This post for FindHearing challenges the industry to come together to create and share modern and realistic hearing aid images with the world. Too often news stories about hearing loss or hearing aids include outdated images which do nothing but perpetuate stigma. It’s time to set the story straight.
See below for an excerpt or read the full article on FindHearing.
It’s Time to Update Hearing Aid Imagery
Which image below do you think paints hearing loss and hearing aids in a realistic light?
Clearly, the one on the bottom right. But not everyone in the mainstream knows this, especially when bombarded by inaccurate and outdated hearing aid imagery on a regular basis. Amid all the media buzz surrounding the launch of OTC hearing aids, only a very few articles included accurate and modern looking hearing aids in their coverage. In fact, most of the images pictured devices that haven’t been used for decades. I can’t think of a quicker way to deter an on-the-fence OTC hearing aid user still battling stigma and uncertainty from taking the first step into hearing devices.
A big thank you to The Mighty Site for correcting the below image when asked and thank you to Hearing Loss Live for making the ask. Proper representation helps beat back the stigma that still surrounds using hearing aids.
A Challenge to the Hearing Care Industry
It’s time for the industry to take matters into their own hands. Perhaps a hearing aid company (or two) and/or a hearing care professional organization (or two) could join forces to create and donate attractive unbranded hearing aid images for public use. This would be a terrific way to not only support people with hearing loss but also to invest in the future growth of the hearing care industry.
Who wants to help create a similar library of free images for hearing devices?
Continue reading on FindHearing.
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Begging your pardon here, but there is still a major issue with the bottom right image. While it portrays a modern hearing aid, ageism is still present in the patient’s gray hair and the matching silver aid. I’ve worn aids since I was 14. Stigma? You bet. It should be made clear people of ALL ages need hearing help. For example, a photo of a child wearing one around friends might help bring about understanding in school or on the playground. A photo of a young professional adeptly managing an office meeting would do the same. Thank you. (Wishing you well in your current health care journey.)
Thank you for sharing your thoughts.
I don’t excuse the media choosers, but one problem with showing modern, tiny, hearing aids is that they are so TINY. They don’t show up well in an image that is wanted to show “hearing aid”! But that’s not a decent excuse. Yes….let’s see more images of modern hearing aids, some of which are Very Tiny!–so much so that they are difficult for older fingers to manipulate.
Thank you for sharing your perspective.