Abstract
Television and film can allow audiences to better understand the experiences of people with hearing loss and deafness. For example, a new family miniseries called El Deafo features a character who explores her deafness by imagining herself as a superhero, called El Deafo, as she fends off bullying behavior and other social challenges. Using a creative audio design, the makers of El Deafo give viewers another dimension to experience the story. Going beyond reading speech bubbles or plain text dialogue, audiences actually “hear” what it’s like to be deaf and wear hearing aids. If the main character, Cece, can see a speaker’s mouth move, she hears that speaker clearly, with a slight distortion to replicate hearing with hearing aids. However, if the lights are turned off or a character turns away from Cece, the volume goes down and speech becomes muffled—just as it would be difficult for Cece to read lips or hear in these scenarios.
Hearing loss is highly prevalent and undertreated, including among children. By 18 years of age, nearly one out of every five children is affected by hearing loss. 1 Given the high prevalence of hearing loss, the lack of relatable media through which children with and without hearing loss can better understand this condition is concerning. Hearing loss and hearing aid use need to be normalized. Negative stereotyping is abundant, with hearing loss often depicted in television as comical, embarrassing, and isolating. 2 Stigma can affect decision-making as patients consider whether to have a formal audiometric evaluation, obtain hearing aids, or select a particular type of hearing aid. Even if patients already own hearing aids, stigma can affect when and where they are worn. 3 In addition to recognizing this stigma, further research is needed to better understand the process of stigmatization, implications on hearing health services, and potential methods of alleviating this stigma.
As clinicians involved in care of patients with hearing loss, otolaryngologists and audiologists often use time with patients to provide them with resources for further education about their condition. Incorporating discussions of visual media that families can turn to for education or positive depictions of characters with hearing loss can be a helpful tool in providing care that targets both physical and emotional health.
In a society that so often neglects stories of individuals with disabilities or other chronic health conditions, shows with diverse portrayals of people with hearing loss may help patients and their families better understand some of the challenges these individuals might face. The National Association of the Deaf offers guidelines for media portrayals, recommending that depictions focus on the cultural differences associated with hearing loss rather than medical pathology that warrants “fixing.” 4 Because approaches differ among individuals with hearing loss as to how much resources like technology (e.g., hearing aids or cochlear implants) or American Sign Language (ASL) should be relied on, stories featuring characters with hearing loss should represent similarly diverse perspectives. 5
By directing patients to positive and realistic depictions of individuals with hearing loss, we may provide patients and their families with tools to more confidently approach hearing loss and fight the stigma preventing them from obtaining treatment. Moreover, more frequent, accurate, and diverse portrayals of hearing loss in the media will be necessary to help normalize the condition. These efforts will contribute to a larger public health effort in promoting hearing health.
