CAUSES AND EFFECTS OF STIGMATIZATION ON HEARING IMPAIRED STUDENTS IN BENIN METROPOLIS

ABSTRACT

The purpose of this study is to investigate the Causes and Effects of Stigmatization on Hearing-Impaired Students in Benin Metropolis. A descriptive survey research design was employed in this study. Five(5) research questions were raised to guide the study. The target population was two hundred and seventy nine (279) hearing impaired students in Benin metropolis , and sample size of one hundred (100) hearing impaired students selected from the three (3) schools through simple random sampling techniques.A structured questionnaire titled Causes and Effects of Stigmatization on Hearing Impaired Students (CESHIS) was used for data collection. The questionnaire was validated by the researcher's supervisor and two other experts in the Educational Evaluation and Counselling Psychology; while the Cronbach's Alpha Statistics was adopted to ascertain the reliability of the instrument. Data collected were analyzed using mean and standard deviation. The study revealed that the complexity of stigmatization on hearing-impaired students in Benin Metropolis is evident through societal misconceptions, communication barriers, and insufficient support systems, impacting academic performance and inducing psychological distress. Despite awareness, anti-stigma campaigns, educator training, and enhanced support mechanisms are necessary to foster inclusivity and mitigate harm. Based on the findings of the study, the following recommendations were made for the study: The Ministry of Education should raise awareness about hearing impairment. Government should provide mental health support for hearing-impaired students. Teachers should offer counselling and peer support. Government should promote inclusivity and launch anti-stigma campaigns. They should also train educators to create inclusive classrooms.