Plain Language SummaryThis study aimed to investigate the “hearing aid effect” and its association with socioeconomic factors in African communities. The study used a cross-sectional design with 322 participants from rural and urban areas, who rated photographs of seven different hearing devices worn by a peer model. The devices included standard behind-the-ear hearing aid (BTE HA) with an ear mould, mini BTE HA with a slim tube (ST), in-the-canal (ITC) HA, AirPod, receiver in canal (RIC), completely-in-canal (CIC) HA, and Personal Sound Amplification Product (PSAP). The participants rated the devices on eight attributes, including attractiveness, age, success, hardworking, trustworthiness, intelligence, friendliness, and education. No hearing aid effect was observed across all participants with device ratings ranging between neutral and positive. There was a preference for less visible, conventionally styled devices. Socioeconomic variables such as educational attainment and geographical location influence perceptions of hearing devices emphasizing the importance of taking these aspects into account when prescribing hearing devices.