Two studies are presented. In the first, discrepancies are observed between self-assessed versus partner-assessed hearing disabilities and handicaps. These can be argued as reflecting variations in the different perspectives of the person with impaired hearing and the other family member, and are interpreted in terms of "privileged access" to different forms of experience. The second study is a quantitative-cum-qualitative exploration in which the initial focus of inquiry concerned the contexts for use of a hearing aid, as a function of family circumstances. No obvious differences were observed between people living alone, and those living with others. This part was followed by interviews with respondents in which attention was given to what influenced a decision to obtain and use a hearing aid, whether family or occupational/community factors were more significant, and whether there was any sign in the data of gender differences in "the uses of hearing". A pattern emerged such that, for females, the concept that seems best to capture a motive to seek help is "fear of loss of social contact"; for males, "fear of public shame".