I am a hearing impaired actor who wears a hearing aid in one ear. I've been told not to mention my handicap to CDs when auditioning.
I would love to hear from all actors with or without handicaps about this issue. Do you mention your hearing handicap? Has the outcome been for better or worse if you do mention it?
All replies are welcomed and greatly appreciated.

Anything that affects your physical presence in a particular way will limit how casting directors perceive you.

Can you hear people fine with your good ear? Do you have issues with it?

I wear a hearing aid in my right ear which is my good ear. I'm almost totally deaf in my left ear. However, I must have my hearing aid on to hear or it will be much harder to on my right side. When I'm on my left side, I try to switch over to my right if possible. I've been lucky my hearing hasn't been much of an issue.

You would be surprised how many actors need prompters in their ear. Mainly on stage, but we have supplied many on sets. They all wear them on live TV. It is called IFB with breakin. Don’t bring it to a CD’s attention unless asked.
I am hearing impaired myself and tried wearing an aid years ago but didn’t like the distortion. Having to have people repeat themselves is trying at times. Otherwise I smile and nod. Good luck to you.

DadinWestchester

I am surprised based on your resume that
CDs haven't made your handicap an issue.
I learned something today from your reply
about prompters. I didn't know their use
is widespread in this business. The part
that gets me is actors are using prompters
on live TV. That is shocking to me!

However, like you said, I don't mention my handicap
when I go on auditions.I wear my aid but I let
my hair conceal it so nobody will notice.
I'm careful not to let any sweat or grease seep
into my aid. Since I started this thread,
I'm thinking about seeing if a bycross
(which I've worn in the distant past)
might be beneficial the second around.
Thanks to all who have replied to this thread.

You are looking at my 18yo kids resume. I've been in the biz for over 40 years mainly on the other side of the camera. And yes it is bothersome to some but we work around it. My wife is a Speech Language Pathologist and it drives her crazy.