10 TV Characters Who Wore Hearing Aids (and Made It Normal)

Television has the power to shape how we see the world—and ourselves. So when TV characters wear hearing aids or navigate hearing loss as part of their everyday lives, it sends a powerful message: hearing loss is normal, and hearing aids are nothing to be ashamed of.

Over the years, a growing number of shows have included characters with hearing aids, whether for realism, representation, or storyline depth. Some portrayals are subtle, others front and center—but all help break down stigma and normalize the use of hearing devices.

Here are 7 TV characters who wore hearing aids—and made it normal.

1. Daphne Paloma Vasquez — Switched at Birth

   Daphne, played by Katie Leclerc, is one of the most groundbreaking characters in teen TV history. As a deaf teenager who uses both American Sign Language (ASL) and spoken English, Daphne wears hearing aids and navigates life with confidence, humor, and depth. Switched at Birth was also praised for its use of deaf and hard-of-hearing actors and authentic storytelling.

2. Sue Thomas — Sue Thomas: F.B.Eye

   Inspired by a real person, Sue Thomas (played by Deanne Bray, who is deaf in real life) is a former FBI agent who uses her lip-reading skills to help solve crimes. She wears hearing aids and never lets hearing loss define her. The show blends action, faith, and heart—and offers one of the most empowering portrayals of hearing loss on TV.

3. Eddie Thomas — The George Lopez Show

   Eddie, George Lopez’s father on the show, wore hearing aids due to age-related hearing loss. While his role was more comedic, Eddie’s character normalized the experience of hearing loss in older adults—especially among families where hearing loss may be brushed off or joked about.

4. Heather — The L Word

   Heather, a child character in The L Word, was one of the early representations of young children with hearing loss. She used a cochlear implant and hearing aids, and the storyline highlighted both her communication needs and how adults around her adapted to support her.

5. Maggie Pierce — Grey’s Anatomy

   Dr. Maggie Pierce, portrayed by Kelly McCreary, briefly wears hearing aids after suffering hearing damage during an explosion on the show. Though temporary, her storyline reflects how noise-induced hearing loss can affect anyone—including high-performing professionals.

6. Amaya Jiwe / Vixen — DC’s Legends of Tomorrow

   In a unique twist on superhero representation, Legends of Tomorrow introduces Charlie and Amaya—characters connected to the Vixen totem. In one alternate timeline episode, Amaya wears hearing aids and uses ASL, giving fans a powerful (and literal) hero who embraces hearing support devices. The show’s use of accessibility themes in speculative fiction was praised by fans.

7. Mandy Milkovich — Shameless

   In the original British version of Shameless, Mandy wears hearing aids due to a childhood illness. Her character’s experiences with hearing loss are portrayed with grit and realism—showing both the daily challenges and the fierce independence that comes with owning your identity.

Representation Matters—On Screen and In Real Life

Seeing hearing aids on-screen helps remove the stigma that sometimes surrounds them in real life. These TV characters show us that hearing aids aren’t strange or embarrassing—they’re simply a part of someone’s toolkit, like glasses or contacts.

Whether it’s a young superhero, a sharp-witted doctor, or a fearless FBI agent, these characters help viewers see hearing devices as normal, empowering, and even heroic.

If You’re Ready to Embrace Better Hearing, We’re Here to Help

Think you or someone you love might have hearing loss? You’re not alone—and it’s nothing to be ashamed of. Beltone offers free hearing screenings and a wide range of discreet, powerful hearing aids to suit every lifestyle.