People who have a hearing impairment can be misjudged by others as being arrogant or condescending when they do not respond correctly when challenged by someone. Sometimes, they are perceived as being less intelligent because they misunderstood a question and responded inappropriately.

Hearing loss doesn’t just affect elderly people.

Not wanting to be stigmatized, people who are hard-of-hearing often try to hide or deny their hearing difficulties. The discomfort of being “hearing-impaired”can make it more difficult for them to gain recognition and acceptance of their hearing difficulties.

However, the reality is quite different. Hearing impairment is one of the most prevalent disabilities in the nation. According to the Canadian Institutes for Health Research*, approximately three million Cana dians reported having a hearing impairment.

Misconceptions about hearing loss still discourage many people from seeking help for their hearing difficulties. If someone in your life seems to be having hearing difficulties, encourage him or her to have a hearing test. This test will indicate the health/state of the person’s hearing, and it will be of value in assisting the person in protecting his or her quality of life.