When her husband first suggested she might have hearing loss, Sian, 47, from Clackmannanshire in Scotland, didn’t want to believe it. Here, Sian shares how taking the RNID hearing check helped her accept her hearing loss and go from hiding her hearing aids to proudly telling people she is deaf. Sian smiles on a sandy beach on a sunny day. Surrounded by noise I have always lived in a very busy household....
✦ Clinical Takeaway ✦
No actionable change — this is a patient narrative; however, it reinforces the value of accessible hearing screening tools in prompting help-seeking behaviour.
✦ Why It Matters ✦
Personal stories of delayed help-seeking and stigma highlight the psychological barriers audiologists should be prepared to address in clinical encounters.
✦ Key Points ✦
- 01Sian, 47, hid her hearing aids for years due to stigma before seeking further support.
- 02