Skip Navigation



The Gerontologist Advance Access published online on July 10, 2009
The Gerontologist, doi:10.1093/geront/gnp107
This Article
Right arrow Full Text
Right arrow Full Text (PDF)
Right arrow Alert me when this article is cited
Right arrow Alert me if a correction is posted
Services
Right arrow Email this article to a friend
Right arrow Similar articles in this journal
Right arrow Similar articles in PubMed
Right arrow Alert me to new issues of the journal
Right arrow Add to My Personal Archive
Right arrow Download to citation manager
Right arrowRequest Permissions
Google Scholar
Right arrow Articles by Wallhagen, M. I.
PubMed
Right arrow PubMed Citation
Right arrow Articles by Wallhagen, M. I.
Social Bookmarking
Add to CiteULike   Add to Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us  
What's this?

Published by Oxford University Press on behalf of The Gerontological Society of America 2009.

The Stigma of Hearing Loss

Margaret I. Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, AGSF, FAAN1,2

2 Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco

1 Address correspondence to Margaret I. Wallhagen, PhD, GNP-BC, AGSF, FAAN, Department of Physiological Nursing, School of Nursing, University of California, San Francisco, 2 Koret Way, N631, San Francisco, CA 94143-0610. E-mail: meg.wallhagen{at}nursing.ucsf.edu


  Abstract

Purpose: To explore dimensions of stigma experienced by older adults with hearing loss and those with whom they frequently communicate to target interventions promoting engagement and positive aging. Design and Methods: This longitudinal qualitative study conducted interviews over 1 year with dyads where one partner had hearing loss. Participants were naive to or had not worn hearing aids in the past year. Data were analyzed using grounded theory, constant comparative methodology. Results: Perceived stigma emerged as influencing decision-making processes at multiple points along the experiential continuum of hearing loss, such as initial acceptance of hearing loss, whether to be tested, type of hearing aid selected, and when and where hearing aids were worn. Stigma was related to 3 interrelated experiences, alterations in self-perception, ageism, and vanity and was influenced by dyadic relationships and external societal forces, such as health and hearing professionals and media. Implications: Findings are discussed in relation to theoretical perspectives regarding stigma and ageism and suggest the need to destigmatize hearing loss by promoting its assessment and treatment as well as emphasizing the importance of remaining actively engaged to support positive physical and cognitive functioning.

Keywords: Grounded theory, Hearing aids, Dyads, Ageism

Received March 20, 2009; Accepted June 4, 2009

Decision Editor: Nancy Schoenberg, PhD


Add to CiteULike CiteULike   Add to Connotea Connotea   Add to Del.icio.us Del.icio.us    What's this?




Disclaimer: Please note that abstracts for content published before 1996 were created through digital scanning and may therefore not exactly replicate the text of the original print issues. All efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, but the Publisher will not be held responsible for any remaining inaccuracies. If you require any further clarification, please contact our Customer Services Department.