Panel Discussion:
Black Content Creators with Hearing Loss: Breaking the Silence in Our Community
My Hearing Loss Journey
For years, I navigated my hearing loss journey in isolation. As a Black woman, I didn't see myself represented in hearing loss resources, support groups, or advocacy spaces. The stigma surrounding disability in our community kept me silent, hiding my hearing aids and struggling through conversations rather than advocating for my needs.
When I first began losing my hearing, I felt utterly alone. Medical professionals handed me hearing aids with clinical efficiency, but there was no conversation about the emotional journey ahead. No one mentioned how hearing loss would impact my cultural connections, my professional life, or my sense of identity.
Where were the stories of Black individuals thriving with hearing loss? Where were the resources that spoke to our unique experiences? The silence was deafening.
The Stigma and Representation Gap
In many Black communities, there's a powerful stigma around disability. We're often taught to be strong, to push through challenges, and to keep our struggles private. This cultural context creates additional barriers to seeking help, using assistive devices openly, or joining support communities.
When I finally started searching for hearing loss resources, I discovered another challenge: a profound lack of representation. From the models in hearing aid advertisements to the speakers at conferences, the hearing loss community seemed to reflect everyone but people who looked like me.
This representation gap isn't just about feeling excluded – it has real consequences. Studies show that Black Americans are less likely to seek treatment for hearing loss and often wait longer before getting hearing aids. When healthcare materials, support groups, and advocacy efforts don't reflect diverse experiences, they fail to reach everyone who needs them.
Finding My Voice and Community
My turning point came when I finally met someone who looked like me. Our chance meeting opened the door to help me educate myself which was essential to my embracing my hearing loss as part of my identity. Wearing my hearing aids visibly, advocating for accommodations, and speaking openly about my experiences felt revolutionary. Each step toward acceptance strengthened my resolve to create the representation I had been searching for.
Joining HLAA (Hearing Loss Association of America) connected me with a broader community, though I still noticed the diversity gap. Rather than stepping back, I leaned in – becoming more involved and eventually taking on the role of Vice President of my chapter. My perspective as a Black woman with hearing loss brought valuable insights to conversations that had been missing these voices for too long.
Creating the Conversation We Need
That's why I'm thrilled to announce that I'll be facilitating my first panel discussion focused specifically on hearing loss in the Black community! This virtual event, hosted by my HLAA-LA chapter, will bring together three amazing Black women who are navigating their own hearing loss journeys while also being powerful content creators.
Together, we'll explore:
Cultural stigmas around disability and hearing loss in Black communities
Challenges in finding culturally competent hearing healthcare
The intersection of race, gender, and hearing loss
Strategies for self-advocacy in healthcare settings
Building support networks when you don't see yourself represented
Embracing hearing aids and assistive technology with confidence
This conversation is long overdue, and I'm honored to be creating this space for authentic dialogue and connection.
Join Us!
Three young creators are breaking the stigma of hearing loss in the Black community by sharing stories, educating, and advocating for acceptance and inclusion.
The virtual panel will take place on September 27, 2025, at 10:00 AM PT via Zoom through the HLAA-LA chapter. Whether you have hearing loss yourself, know someone who does, or work in healthcare or advocacy, your presence will help amplify these important voices.
This is just the beginning. After the panel, I'll share a follow-up post with key insights, resources, and next steps. My hope is that this conversation will evolve into a presentation I can share with healthcare providers, community organizations, and hearing loss groups to broaden understanding of the Black experience with hearing loss.
Together, we can break the silence, challenge stigmas, and ensure that everyone with hearing loss sees themselves represented in resources, support communities, and advocacy efforts.
To register for the panel or learn more about my hearing loss advocacy work, visit:
https://hlaa-la.org/
Stay tuned for part two of this blog series, where I'll introduce you to our amazing panelists and share the powerful insights from our discussion!
Blessings,
Coach V.
