The Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) and other similar types of legislation have tried to tear down discrimination and negative biases surrounding people with disabilities. These laws made classrooms more inclusive and sought to change media's approach to people with disabilities. In theory, many assumed that more representation of people who use hearing aids and other devices within the classroom or on television would help children see their peers with disabilities in a more accurate light.

However, a new study found the "hearing aid effect" still exists, meaning children still discriminate against their peers who use hearing aids.

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Researchers published their findings in the most recent issue of The Hearing Journal, a publication fully focused on hearing-related healthcare. The study included 45 children between the ages of ages 6 to 11 years who experience normal hearing and do not know anyone who uses any type of hearing technology.

The participants then answered a series of questions by selecting which child pictured (one with a hearing aid and one without) matched. The participants also answered independent questions about each picture.

Based on the results, the hearing aid effect obviously influenced the participants’ perceptions of the photographed children in the areas of physical competence and peer acceptance. Children all across the age range answered the questions similarly, which means that children as young as six hold negative biases about children with hearing aids.

Although the study highlighted that children didn't identify any negative views of a child with a hearing aid's cognitive abilities, the fact that children with hearing aids are still seen as less physically capable and less accepted by peers is definitely startling news.

However, adults can help break down these discriminatory thoughts so that these negative beliefs don't continue for into future generations.

According to Amy Milsom of the educational blog Reading Rockets, school counselors and classroom teachers within the school building can help break down these negative beliefs about students with hearing aids or any disability. School staff can facilitate social interactions between students with hearing loss and those without, and they can use books and other materials to show people with hearing aids in a positive light.

At home, parents can provide children with books that include diverse characters to help children see children with disabilities in new ways. Also, parents should consider how their own false biases may impact their child's beliefs and work towards breaking down those biases.

By continuing to have these conversations and provide equal representation in media, we can eventually stop these discriminatory thoughts towards people who use hearing technology.

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Sources: The Hearing JournalReading Rockets