Abstract
The purpose of this study was to explore the perspectives and experiences of African American older adults on the hearing healthcare system. In-depth semi structured interviews were conducted with eight self-identified African American older adults who reported having a hearing test in the last ten years. The study found that both intrinsic and extrinsic factors impacted African Americans seeking hearing healthcare. The themes identified from the study included topics on perception, awareness, help seeking, bias, trust, and cost. In sum, the study found that African American older adults experience a range of barriers when accessing hearing healthcare. Results of this study highlight the need for increased education and access regarding hearing healthcare supports for African American older adults.