Jessica West, PhD, MPH, assistant professor in the Duke Department of Head and Neck Surgery & Communication Sciences, has received a K01 Career Development Award from the National Institute on Deafness and Other Communication Disorders to investigate how stigma surrounding hearing loss influences decisions to seek hearing healthcare.
The award will support West's project, "Improving Hearing Healthcare Outcomes by Addressing Hearing Loss Stigma: A Mixed Methods Approach" (K01DC023305-01A1), which examines barriers that may prevent adults with hearing loss from pursuing hearing testing, diagnosis, and treatment. More than 44 million U.S. adults experience hearing loss, yet many do not seek care despite the condition's association with social isolation, depression, cognitive decline, and other adverse health outcomes.
Using survey research, in-depth interviews, and community-engaged design approaches, West will explore how hearing loss stigma shapes healthcare decisions and identify evidence-based strategies to reduce barriers to care. The project aims to improve engagement with hearing healthcare and inform interventions that support better outcomes for adults with hearing loss.
The award builds on West's growing body of research examining hearing loss as both a health and social issue, including studies on biological aging, healthcare utilization, and emotional well-being among older adults.