People may be unaware that untreated hearing loss in children is linked to a variety of significant challenges, including learning difficulties, problems with language development, and  academic underachievement. Hearing loss can also cause social challenges, which can harm children’s self-esteem, confidence, and overall happiness.

This lack of education feeds a range of challenges for audiologists trying to raise awareness, including:

• Denial: Young people may dismiss early signs of hearing loss, thinking it’s something that only happens to older people.
• Stigma: Hearing aids are still seen by some as a sign of aging or weakness, especially among younger users who worry about how they’ll be perceived.
• Cultural, social, and language barriers: Communities of color and non-native speakers often face systemic healthcare disparities, including reduced access to audiology services and information.
• Limited access: People living in rural or underserved areas may struggle to reach a hearing care provider at all. Communication gaps: If someone is already experiencing hearing loss, they may struggle to fully grasp a clinician’s explanation or recommendations, especially if they come alone.

Even well-meaning advertising can unintentionally reinforce the problem. Many hearing aid ads still focus exclusively on older adults, which not only makes it hard for younger people to see themselves in those campaigns, but also reinforces the stigma that hearing loss is a “senior” issue. While it’s understandable that older adults are a key audience for hearing clinics, we also have a responsibility to educate broader communities and normalize hearing loss across all age groups.

That means showcasing diversity in age, race, and lifestyle in marketing and educational materials, not just because it’s realistic, but because it helps break the stigma and starts a much-needed conversation about hearing health at every stage of life.

A huge part of our challenge is that myths and misinformation about hearing loss persist and may lead young people to neglect symptoms of hearing loss.  To combat this, you need to implement strategies that help raise awareness among younger demographics.

For instance, utilize social media (such as TikTok and Instagram) to reach younger audiences. Work with local educators to implement school-based programs. And conduct outreach to parents to raise awareness and drive specific actions (e.g., get your child a hearing screening, use hearing protection in loud environments, don’t listen to loud music on personal headphones).  

Key messages to reiterate to young people (and the adults that care about them) include:

• Lower the volume. Turn down the volume when listening to music, especially when using headphones or earbuds. Explain that the volume of sound is measured in decibels, and they shouldn’t listen to music above 85 decibels. Use examples to put this in context. For instance, normal conversation is around 70 decibels, and traffic sounds are approximately 80-85 decibels. When people listen to music above 85 decibels – especially for extended periods – they risk harming their hearing. Remind them that noise-induced hearing loss can be permanent. 
• Use proper protection. Wear earplugs or noise canceling headphones at loud venues, like concerts, especially if you’re near the stage or speakers. Explain that earplugs are small enough to store in a pocket, purse, or backpack, so it’s easy carry them to potentially loud venues, like concerts, nightclubs, racetracks, etc.  
• Recognize the signs of hearing loss. People with untreated hearing loss often turn up the volume of the TV or other devices, hear “muffled” sounds, have trouble understanding conversations in a noisy places like restaurants or classrooms, can’t clearly understand speech over the phone, and may frequently ask people to repeat themselves. If someone is experiencing any of these symptoms – regardless of age – they should have their hearing checked by a qualified hearing care professional.

A variety of well-respected professional organizations have developed helpful resources that you can leverage to generate awareness and drive specific behaviors.

• The CDC’s Teens on Noise-Induced Hearing Loss webpage includes helpful videos, social media graphics, and posters to help teens learn more about hearing health, risks, and how to protect their hearing in noisy environments. Share this valuable resource with teens, their parents, other medical professionals, and educators.
• The National Center for Environmental Health (NCEH) toolkit helps raise awareness about noise-induced hearing loss and includes fact sheets, posters, infographics, social content, and media information.
• The National Institute of Health’s Noisy Planet is a national public education campaign targeting parents of children ages 8 to 12, raising awareness about noise-induced hearing loss, and providing information about how to protect kids’ hearing.
• The National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health (NIOSH) offers workplace guides. Globally, approximately 16% of disabling hearing loss is attributed to excessive noise in the workplace, and occupational noise-related hearing loss is the most common work-related illness. In the U.S. alone, 22 million workers per year are exposed to loud noises that could damage their hearing. Since many young people work full-time or part-time jobs, let’s educate them (and their employers!) about these risks and the need for proper hearing protection.