THE HEARING-AID EFFECT - CHALLENGES FOR COUNSELING

Counseling is essential for hearing-impaired clients to gain insight i nto their disability and adjust to the unique challenges of living wit h a hearing disorder. The stigma associated with wearing hearing aids has been documented and labeled the ''Hearing Aid Effect.'' This study examined 100 university students' preferences for increased speech un derstanding and amplification of sounds when compared to cosmetic vari ables (size and visibility of a hearing aid). Audio taped conversation s were filtered to simulate a listening condition with a hearing loss. Eighty two of the participants reported that under adverse listening conditions they would consider wearing hearing aids. However, after he aring aids were fitted on participants, 25% preferred not to wear them . Subjects mentioned cosmetics and perceived stigma as the primary rea sons for not wearing hearing aids. The need for counseling clients to deal with feelings and experiences of wearing hearing aids as well as become better communicators is discussed.