Sometimes all it takes is a smile, a nod or an evasive response to mask a deeper difficulty. According to an OpinionWay survey carried out for Audika among 1,159 French people, 69% of those questioned regularly adopt strategies to hide their hearing difficulties. The finding is all the more striking since 60% of French people say they regularly encounter difficulties hearing or understanding conversations, while only 16% recognize an identified hearing problem. A gap of 44 points which illustrates the extent of the phenomenon called “auditory passing”.
“Auditory passing” affects far beyond those diagnosed
Pretending to understand a discussion has become a common reflex. The study shows that 66% of French people have already adopted this behavior in at least one situation. 43% also prefer to let it go rather than ask to repeat, while 39% respond vaguely and 34% choose to step back.
The phenomenon extends well beyond officially hearing-impaired people. Even among those who report no recognized disorder, 57% say they use these concealment strategies.
This invisibility already has concrete effects on daily life. More than a third of French people, or 36%, say they have changed their habits. Some now avoid restaurants and bars (21%), others shorten their conversations (12%) or speak less in groups and meetings (12%).
“These figures reveal a reality that we observe every day in our centers: hearing difficulties remain hidden long before being treated, not for lack of information, but for fear of the image that this could project. Auditory passing is the symptom of a deep cultural taboo, at the cost of social bonds and health in the broad sense. Breaking the hearing aid taboo means changing your outlook on hearing, because taking care of your hearing health means taking care of your health.” declares Michaël Tonnard, General Manager of Audika.
Young people appear to be the most exposed to the hearing taboo
One of the most striking lessons concerns those under 35. While 70% of French people still associate hearing difficulties with aging, 68% of 18-24 year olds also say they regularly encounter hearing problems.
In this age group, the taboo seems even stronger. Three out of four young people say they hide their hearing difficulties. 56% also consider these problems embarrassing or shameful.
Social withdrawal also appears more marked: 59% of 18-24 year olds say they have changed their habits because of these difficulties. Among them, 25% avoid noisy places and as many speak less in groups. More than one in five young people participate less in family meals.
The study also highlights the weight of the gaze of others: 55% of young people fear that a diagnosis will lead to wearing a hearing aid, compared to only 29% of those over 50.