Employers' Speech-Based First Impressions of Cochlear Implant Users.

This study examines how hiring managers with typical hearing form first impressions of prelingually deaf young adult cochlear implant (CI) users based solely on speech samples, focusing on differences in speech intelligibility. Managers rated speakers with typical hearing (TH) most positively, highly intelligible CI users (CI-Hi) less positively, and less intelligible CI users (CI-Lo) most negatively, particularly on communication-related traits. Managers hiring for white-collar or high-communication roles rated CI-Hi users more negatively than those hiring for blue-collar or low-communication jobs, while positive attitudes toward deafness and prior experience with deaf or hard-of-hearing individuals were associated with more favorable ratings. The findings highlight the influence of speech intelligibility and listener attitudes on employment-related judgments of CI users and suggest that workplace education about deafness and communication could reduce bias and improve inclusion.