About 25 years ago when my hearing was almost completely gone, there was barely any mention of hearing loss in the general media. I clearly remember the pivotal moment when an article by Jane Brody miraculously appeared in the New York Times: Personal Health; Needless Silence for the Hearing Impaired. To finally find an acknowledgment of hearing loss, the albatross that was rapidly encompassing my life, was a tremendous relief. I am not the only one.
Fast forward to today, and it’s clear that awareness about hearing loss is very much on the national radar screen, largely thanks to advocacy organizations like the Hearing Loss Association of America (HLAA). The dramatic rise of blogs, podcasts, social media, and advocacy efforts has brought hearing loss into the spotlight, making it part of the broader conversation around health, accessibility, and disability rights.
Despite these encouraging developments, medical settings continue to be characterized by a persistent lack of awareness about the prevalence of hearing loss. This lack of awareness acts as a barrier to communication access, significantly impacting the healthcare experiences of patients who struggle to hear. Although individual facilities have made some improvements, there is a strong need for systemic change that will allow providers to integrate the hearing status and communication needs of patients in their care. This will be essential for the full range of patients and providers to communicate accurately. In this most critical arena, our health and safety are at stake if we cannot understand treatment plans and medical instructions or actively participate in our care.
It is heartening to see how hearing loss has gained exposure, leading to real-world changes: better technology, greater empathy, legal protections, and social connections. But the shift didn’t happen overnight. It took dedicated voices, stakeholders like yourselves, advocating for visibility and change.
Without awareness, there will be no action. Without action, there will be no results. Healthcare with Hearing Loss is our effort to mobilize all stakeholders to craft a strategy for action and to put effective communication in healthcare settings front and center. We truly believe that we have the tools at hand and the potential to do so.
Toni Iacolucci, with Peggy Ellertsen
Please join us and sign up to receive our monthly blogs, vlogs and other content.
