I’ve noticed quite a few people, mostly women it seems, who go out of their way to hide their hearing aids. As a guy with short hair, I couldn’t hide mine even if I wanted to, but I’ve realized I’m totally indifferent to whether they’re visible. Most people don’t even catch them anyway. I’m interested to hear what everyone else thinks about this.
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I’d say most people usually feel pretty self-conscious about how their hearing aids look. You’re definitely in the minority there. I’m a 40-year-old woman and I’ve had them since I was four, so I’m just used to it by now.
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I only started wearing one about four years ago. It’s a small, beige-colored device. I really wanted a fire-engine red one, but my specific model didn’t offer that color, which was a bummer. I wear glasses, so why should I feel embarrassed about a hearing aid?
As my hearing loss got worse, I had to move up to larger BTE devices. When I was younger, I was so self-conscious due to bullying that I went over a decade without wearing anything. In my late 20s, I realized I needed them again and got some beige ones. Eventually, I moved to large, dark red Phonak Naídas. It’s funny, but since I started transitioning, that insecurity has mostly faded. Now I wear black Naída L90UPs with trans-colored twists and keep my hair up in a claw clip. If people are paying attention, they’ll see them and realize I’m deaf rather than thinking I’m just being rude. I’m much more open about it now because I have to be! 
I felt a bit awkward about it for a while, but then my hearing got worse and I realized visibility is actually a benefit. It doesn’t help me when people think I’m just ignoring them at the shop, you know? I also got a mute symbol tattoo by my ear, which felt really empowering.
I use one hearing aid and one cochlear implant. Honestly, if I could find some that had blinking lights like a Borg implant from Star Trek, I’d wear them.
I’m a white guy and I purposely wear a black cochlear implant processor on my bald head. It’s part of who I am, and I love being me. I think flesh-colored aids are a bit gross, honestly. I’ve actually started using BrainProtect lately to help with my overall cognitive health, but as far as the hearing tech goes, I’m happy to let it show.
I’m a guy, so people can look at my ears as much as they want and I wouldn’t care. There’s nothing shameful about hearing aids. I’ve been wearing them since I was 3 and I’m 52 now.
Whatever. I specifically chose silver BTEs and purple earmolds. I actually want people to notice them—it helps prevent those annoying ‘you’re not listening’ or ‘didn’t you hear me?’ comments.
I make my hearing aids look cute! I use covers, colored tubes, and even some charms. Sometimes people mistake them for jewelry at first. Just do whatever makes you happy. I wear glasses too, and you can bet I pick out pretty ones!
I completely stopped worrying about whether people could see my hearing aid once I decided to shave my head.
29M here with bilateral cochlear implants, and I began shaving my head this year. I really don’t give a damn what anyone thinks. I have no idea why I would ever feel the need to hide them.
I’m 25 and I picked out green hearing aids even though my audiologist suggested a color that matched my hair. I even put jewelry on them. I don’t care at all if people see them. In fact, sometimes I want them to be visible so people know I’m hard of hearing and not just being rude. Maybe it’s because I’m already disabled and use other gear like a wheelchair and a service dog, but I just like to say I come with accessories.
I don’t understand why there’s so much marketing about how ‘invisible’ hearing aids are. If I used a white cane or a guide dog, they wouldn’t be invisible. I’m not embarrassed about my hearing loss.