INSPIRES Hearing Health Trial - INnovative Psychological Intervention to REduce Stigma in Hearing Health Trial

Background: Reminding people they are moral adaptable human beings ("self-affirming") reduces the perceived stigma associated with wearing hearing aids and increases actual hearing aid use. The proposed study aims to reduce stigma in a representative sample of people aged over 60 from the general population who may or may not already be wearing hearing aids and improve multiple hearing health outcomes (e.g., attending screening, device use). Methods/Design: Double-blinded randomized controlled trial in which a representative sample of people aged over 60 from the general population will be asked to complete surveys about hearing stigma, hearing loss and multiple hearing health outcomes. Participants randomized to the control group will only complete the survey; participants in the intervention group will be asked to affirm their values. Six months later, all participants will complete the same survey to assess outcomes. Discussion: The proposed research will lead to a brief psychological intervention to reduce stigma in relation to hearing loss/aids.