Hearing aids are no longer a taboo subject
More and more young people need hearing aids. Actress Cindy Klink shows that this no longer has to be embarrassing these days. She has been severely hard of hearing since the age of three and grew up bilingual—using both spoken language and sign language.
Untreated hearing loss can have serious consequences at any stage of life, ranging from delayed speech development in childhood and adolescence to social isolation and a higher risk of unemployment during working years. This makes it all the more important to treat hearing loss early with hearing aids. And hearing aids are no longer a taboo subject.
Cindy Klink was diagnosed with hearing loss at the age of three. She was fitted with hearing aids—and always enjoyed wearing them. She is now completely deaf. Cindy Klink has had a cochlear implant on her right side since May 2023, and a cochlear implant was also implanted on her left side in early 2025.
Always Believed in Dreams
“Because of my deafness, I have repeatedly faced discrimination in everyday life, and people have constantly doubted my abilities,” writes Cindy Klink on her website. “Even my desire to become a musician and actress was constantly ridiculed.” However, she has always brushed off such opinions, consistently followed her own path, and believed in herself and her dreams. “Simply the sheer determination to achieve what I wanted is what led me to achieve it,” Cindy Klink continues.
On stage with international stars
Today, 28-year-old Cindy Klink is a Deaf performer (music interpreter) and actress. She uploaded her first video to Facebook back in 2015. At the time, she had no idea where her journey would take her. In 2018, she made her first appearance at the Trier Arena; after that, her performances became more frequent, and she was able to live out her passion on stage. The COVID-19 pandemic brought everything to a halt, but afterward, things picked up again successfully.
What is Deaf Performance?
Deaf Performance is an art form in which deaf artists visually and emotionally express songs through sign language. It is not merely about translating the lyrics, but about creatively using sign language to transform songs into poetic and often dance-like performances. This art form elevates music to a whole new level. Audience members often report that Deaf Performance allows them to experience the music more intensely and in a way they’ve never known before.
Cindy Klink now shares the stage with international stars and performs their songs in sign language. She has recently collaborated with artists such as Lenny Kravitz, Jamie Cullum, Sam Smith, and Sting. A particular highlight was her performance with Coldplay in Düsseldorf.
In addition, she has already appeared in TV series such as “Die Bergretter” and “Die Pfefferkörner.” In May 2024, she received the New Faces Award in the “Disruptive Mind” category for her film role in “Masurenkrimi – Die verlorene Tochter.”
Cindy Klink’s story shows how important it is to believe in yourself and not let prejudice or obstacles discourage you. “My life’s journey may seem a bit chaotic at times, but it’s precisely this chaos and the constant obstacles I’ve had to overcome that have brought me to where I am today,” says Cindy Klink, describing her situation. Through her example, she hopes to encourage others to pursue their dreams and reach their full potential.
Why are more and more young people experiencing hearing loss?
The increase in hearing loss among young people is mainly attributed to the frequent and intensive use of headphones at high volumes, as well as attending loud concerts. These habits can damage the delicate ear and lead to permanent hearing loss. According to estimates, more than one billion young people worldwide are at risk of hearing loss.
Hearing aids are no longer a taboo subject
Cindy Klink's story is also an example of how hearing aids are no longer a taboo subject today. This can also be attributed to the following factors:
- Technological Advances: Modern hearing aids are small, discreet, and offer excellent sound quality thanks to digital technology. Many models feature Bluetooth connectivity, built-in fitness trackers, and many other features, making them more appealing to users in their daily lives and at work.
- Growing Awareness: Public awareness campaigns and media coverage have raised awareness of hearing health. They show that hearing loss and hearing aids are discussed more frequently than in the past.
- Hearing Studies: The EuroTrak 2025 hearing study confirms that hearing aids are useful in the workplace for 96% of working hearing aid users. In addition, 97% of hearing aid users report a higher quality of life.
Read our article “May We Introduce You to… Cindy Klink—My Life with Hearing Aids” to learn more about Cindy Klink.
Image Copyright: Lisa Bössen
