The 'Hearing Aid Effect' in Northern Territory Indigenous Australian Children as Perceived by Their Peers

Otitis media and associated hearing loss is endemic in Northern Territory Indigenous Australian children. While this ear disease is often preventable, it continues at prevalence rates estimated as high as 80%. In many cases, the use of a hearing aid is the best-practice intervention and often allows the wearer to hear family, friends and teachers. Yet, the use of hearing aids among Indigenous Australians is extremely low. This is the first study to investigate the 'Hearing Aid Effect' (HAE), which is the stigma associated with wearing a hearing aid, in an Indigenous Australian population. Participants in this study included 5 to 12-year-old Indigenous Australian children. Children viewed pictures of Indigenous children, of similar age, with and without visible hearing aids, and then rated their perceptions on an attitude scale. Participants were also involved in a learning-based intervention on the importance of wearing hearing aids. The results indicated a strong HAE. Indigenous Australian children had a more negative attitude towards peers who wore hearing aids in comparison to peers who did not wear hearing aids. Additionally, females tended to rate males more negatively than females on most questions. Males rated females more negatively on questions regarding friendship, sport and whether they can attend the same school. The intervention had a significant effect on the children's attitude toward hearing aids. The study results indicate that children of this early age have constructed characteristic stigmatisations concerning their peer's use of hearing aids.