Public health interventions to aid in identity formation among patients diagnosed with hearing disability: A narrative review

Hearing disability is increasingly recognized as a major global public health issue with wide-ranging consequences for everyday functioning. The objectives of the current review are to enlist various types of stigmas experienced by people with hearing disability, explain the attributes of identity formation in individuals with hearing disability, and propose targeted public health interventions to reduce stigma and facilitate the process of identity formation in individuals with hearing disability. An extensive search of all materials related to the topic was carried out in the PubMed search engine, and 77 research articles were identified based on the keywords hearing disability, stigma, and hearing in the title alone. Overall, 25 articles were selected based on the suitability with the current review objectives and analyzed. Individuals with hearing disability frequently encounter stigma across social, public, and institutional contexts. For adults who acquire hearing loss, changes in self-perception often accompany the condition, influenced by reduced access to auditory information and the disruption of previously familiar modes of interaction. In the context of the growing prevalence of hearing disability, persistent stigma, and challenges related to identity formation, there is a clear need for comprehensive and coordinated interventions. At the individual level, coping-oriented strategies, including stress management and psychological support, can enhance resilience and self-esteem among people with hearing loss. Overall, hearing disability should be understood not only as a medical condition but also as a lived social experience shaped by attitudes, environments, and structures. Addressing stigma and supporting identity formation through multipronged approaches is essential to promote dignity, inclusion, and meaningful social participation.