8 Pop Culture Moments That Put Hearing Loss in the Spotlight

Representation matters—and pop culture has the power to make us feel seen, heard, and understood. Over the years, hearing loss has made its way into the spotlight through powerful performances, emotional storylines, and history-making headlines.

Whether through film, music, or viral moments, these stories helped challenge stereotypes, normalize hearing aids, and spark important conversations.

Here are 8 pop culture moments that brought hearing loss to the spotlight—and left a lasting impact.

1. Sound of Metal (2019)

This Oscar-winning film tells the story of a heavy-metal drummer who experiences sudden hearing loss. Riz Ahmed’s powerful performance as Ruben helped shed light on the emotional, social, and physical challenges of adjusting to life with hearing loss. The film earned praise from the Deaf and hard-of-hearing community for its use of Deaf actors and ASL, as well as for showing the complexity of cochlear implants.

2. Troy Kotsur’s Oscar Win (2022)

When actor Troy Kotsur won Best Supporting Actor for his role in CODA (Child of Deaf Adults), he made history as the first Deaf male actor to win an Academy Award. His acceptance speech—delivered in American Sign Language—was a cultural moment that elevated Deaf talent and brought Deaf representation to the global stage.

3. ASL Performers at the Super Bowl

Year after year, the Super Bowl has featured Deaf performers signing the National Anthem and "America the Beautiful." In 2023, Justina Miles went viral for her dynamic ASL interpretation during Rihanna’s halftime show. These moments remind us that accessibility and inclusion can be part of the biggest stages in the world.

4. Nyle DiMarco Wins Dancing With the Stars (2016)

Nyle DiMarco, a deaf model and activist, danced his way into viewers’ hearts—and to the top of the leaderboard—when he won Season 22 of Dancing With the Stars. Performing without being able to hear the music, DiMarco relied on muscle memory and his partner’s cues. His win helped millions understand the richness of Deaf culture and ability.

5. Millie Bobby Brown Talks Hearing Loss

When Stranger Things star Millie Bobby Brown revealed she was deaf in one ear, it surprised many fans. Her openness about acting, singing, and performing with hearing loss made headlines and helped reduce stigma for young people navigating similar challenges. She continues to speak publicly about embracing differences.

6. Marvel’s Hawkeye Highlights Hearing Loss

In the Disney+ series Hawkeye, Jeremy Renner’s character wears a hearing aid—finally reflecting the comic book version’s longstanding hearing loss. The show doesn’t gloss over it either: it addresses the toll of superhero-level noise exposure with humor and heart, helping normalize hearing aids in action heroes.

7. Beyoncé’s Black Is King Features Hearing-Impaired Dancers

In her visually stunning 2020 visual album Black Is King, Beyoncé included Black dancers with disabilities—including some who are deaf or hard of hearing. It was a powerful moment of inclusion that celebrated diversity and visibility in high art and global entertainment.

8. Celebrity Hearing Aid Confessions Go Viral

From Whoopi Goldberg and Jodie Foster to Stephen Colbert and Bill Clinton, countless celebrities have opened up about wearing hearing aids or living with hearing loss. These candid admissions often trend online and make headlines—helping to shift public perception and show that hearing loss is both common and manageable.

Why These Moments Matter

Pop culture isn’t just entertainment—it reflects (and shapes) how we see ourselves and each other. When hearing loss shows up on screen, on stage, or in the spotlight, it helps erase stigma, spark empathy, and encourage people to take their hearing health seriously.

Ready to Star in Your Own Hearing Comeback?

If you’ve been putting off a hearing test or wondering whether hearing aids are right for you, let these moments inspire you. Millions of people live, perform, and thrive with hearing loss—and so can you.