I’ve been told I look serious or even angry in tough listening situations. This is known as the hearing loss scowl. Listening requires so much effort with hearing loss that I can’t focus on my facial expression. Filming this made me realize the same could happen when others feel overwhelmed, and it’s helped me become more compassionate toward others when I see them scowling.
Chronicle of a deaf audiologist
A hearing loss scowl
Originally Posted: April 25, 2026
Category: General
Sandra Vandenhoff
Dr. Sandra Vandenhoff is an audiologist with hearing loss, founder of HEARa, Hearing Rehabilitation teacher, and Canadian author, who does not remember saying on her first day of wearing hearing aids: "Mom, I can hear my shoelaces!"
