New research finds hearing aids are rarely seen in mainstream media, prompting GN to expand its free library of authentic images for World Hearing Day.
To mark World Hearing Day, GN has launched an expanded library of free, authentic images of people with hearing loss, directly addressing new YouGov research that reveals a significant lack of representation in mainstream media. The research found that 55% of US respondents could not recall a single instance in the past year of seeing someone with a hearing aid or cochlear implant in media content that was not specifically about hearing loss.
Study Highlights Inaccurate Portrayals and Stigma
The YouGov study points to a pattern of inaccurate portrayals that may fuel stigma and delay individuals from seeking help. According to the findings, a majority (77%) of those with hearing loss in the US say the media gets key aspects of their lives wrong, often framing them as elderly, fragile, or dependent.
The research also suggests this representation gap has practical consequences, with 41% of Americans believing the lack of everyday media visibility makes it harder for people to recognize hearing loss or seek treatment. Roughly a quarter of respondents with hearing loss say media depictions of people with hearing devices are rarely or not at all relatable.
New Norm Image Library Aims to Shift Perceptions
In response to these findings, GN has launched the New Norm vol. 2 image library. The collection features high-quality photographs of real people between the ages of 20 and 60 with hearing loss wearing their hearing aids in everyday situations. The images are available for free use by media, academia, and other organizations to help replace outdated stereotypes with more contemporary and positive representations.
“This ‘media invisibility’ and unrealistic portrayal highlighted by our YouGov research can negatively impact the mental health of people living with hearing loss and deter others from seeking help when they notice early signs of hearing loss,” says Laurel Christensen, PhD, chief audiology officer at GN, in a release. “GN wants to challenge the outdated misconceptions of hearing aids and living with hearing loss fostering an environment where wearing hearing aids is seen as a symbol of empowerment in daily life.”
The Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA) noted the importance of this type of initiative in encouraging individuals to take action on their hearing health.
“Authentic, everyday representation can move people from hesitation to action when it comes to recognizing and ‘owning’ their hearing loss,” says Barbara Kelley, executive director of the Hearing Loss Association of America, in a release. “When people see hearing aids as a helpful tool, not just as a sign of getting older, we think they are more likely to seek hearing care as an overall proactive health choice.”
Featured image: Woman working on jewelry at a wooden desk. Photo by GN Group on Unsplash
