NYC Ballet principal dancer Sara Mearns performs with hearing aids

Sara Mearns, who’s 40 and a principal dancer with the New York City Ballet, is among the first in her company to dance with hearing aids. After years of difficulty hearing cues and communicating with her partner, she got her hearing checked and learned she had hearing loss, likely due to genetics, health issues, and loud noises. Working with audiologist Marta Gielarowiec, she found the right hearing aids, which now help her hear the orchestra and make calls. Mearns wants to break the stigma around hearing loss, noting that under 20% of Americans aged 20 to 69 who need hearing aids actually use them. Experts highlight common signs, like asking “what” often and experiencing muffled sounds. Mearns noticed her issues during the pandemic while lip-reading. Now, she motivates others to get help and shares her relief after addressing her hearing challenges.