Authors
Anı Parabakan Polat, Elif Ece Çocar, Sude Pamuk, Tuğba Nezahat Bozkaya, Volkan Türkmen
Published in
Journal of the American Academy of Audiology. Volume 37. Issue 4. Pages 319-329. Epub Jul 01, 2026.
Abstract
Negative perceptions related to appearance, personality, and intelligence may exist among peers toward adolescents who use hearing aids. This phenomenon, known as the "hearing aid effect," may discourage adolescents from using their devices. Understanding peers' attitudes and perceptions is crucial for promoting social acceptance and developing educational programs that foster positive perceptions of hearing aid users.
This study aimed to examine adolescents' attitudes and perceptions toward peers using hearing aids and to investigate the relationship between adolescents' encounters with individuals with disabilities or hearing aids and their attitudes and perceptions.
Correlational, cross-sectional research.
A total of 146 adolescents aged 10-18 years participated in this study.
Participants completed the Hearing Aid Effect Questionnaire and the Encounters with Individuals with Disabilities and Hearing Aids Questionnaire. The Hearing Aid Effect Questionnaire included photographs of peers using hearing aids and peers with typical hearing. Differences in peer perception, social acceptance, and perceived difference were examined. Relationships between total and subscale scores of the Hearing Aid Effect Questionnaire and frequency of encounters with individuals with disabilities and hearing aids were also analyzed.
Significant differences were found between adolescents' perceptions of peers using hearing aids and peers with typical hearing in peer perception (p = 0.000), perceived difference (p = 0.001), and total score (p = 0.004) of the Hearing Aid Effect Questionnaire. A positive correlation was found between the social acceptance subscale score for peers with cochlear implants and the frequency of encounters with individuals with disabilities (ρ = 0.164, p = 0.047).
Adolescents have more negative perceptions of peers using hearing aids compared with peers with typical hearing and tend to view these peers as different from themselves.
Regular use of hearing aids significantly influences literacy, academic performance, and social development. Negative attitudes and perceptions of peers toward adolescents who use hearing aids may lead these adolescents to conceal their devices and discourage them from seeking amplification. The findings of our study will guide audiologists in designing programs to establish supportive peer environments for adolescents with hearing aids.
PMID:
42763532
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 20 Sep 2026.
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