Shari Eberts

Shari Eberts is a passionate hearing health advocate and internationally recognized author and speaker on hearing loss issues. She is the founder of Living with Hearing Loss, a popular blog and online community for people with hearing loss, and an executive producer of We Hear You, an award-winning documentary about the hearing loss experience. Her book, Hear & Beyond: Live Skillfully with Hearing Loss, (co-authored with Gael Hannan) is the ultimate survival guide to living well with hearing loss.

Featured image for “Pickleball and Hearing Loss: Lessons from the Court”

Pickleball and Hearing Loss: Lessons from the Court

“Don’t step into the kitchen!” someone called across the net during my first pickleball clinic. That’s easy for me in everyday life—I don’t like to cook. But in pickleball, the “kitchen” isn’t a room in your house. It’s the non-volley zone near the net, and stepping into it while hitting a ball out of the air is against the rules.

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What Hearing Loss Teaches Us About Connection

February is the month of love! Restaurants and shops decorate with pink and red hearts. Lovers exchange sweet cards and plan candlelit dinners. Pals organize Galentine’s Day events to celebrate the platonic love of friendship. Everywhere we look, expressions of love are on display. But if you live with hearing loss — or love someone who does — you know

Featured image for “Is Confidence the Opposite of Stigma?”

Is Confidence the Opposite of Stigma?

“I don’t want people to know about my hearing issues. They might think I am slow or out of touch. So, I don’t mention that I have trouble hearing and keep my devices hidden.” “Wow, my hearing devices/glasses/apps/assistive listening systems are helping me hear better in this loud space! Have you tried one?” The first statement is fueled by stigma.

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The Road to Self-Advocacy is Paved with Identity

Because hearing loss is invisible, people won’t necessarily know that we have hearing challenges. Many hearing aids are small, almost invisible, or can be hidden behind long hair. People with hearing loss are also pretty skilled at faking it. This is not a good thing, not only because we may answer a question inappropriately, but also because bluffing creates barriers

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Storytelling is a Critical Part of Scientific Research

“Hearing research is not just about sound; it is about connection and communication. It is about relationships, emotions, and the human experience.” This was my message at the 2025 Bellucci Symposium for scientific research at Creighton University, where I was invited to share my perspective on living with hearing loss. Through a Q&A conversation guided by Dr. Alison Coffin, an

Featured image for “Invisible vs. Visible Disability: A Real-World Example”

Invisible vs. Visible Disability: A Real-World Example

When life gives you an opportunity to show the difference between a visible disability and an invisible one, you take it. My injured spouse was an eager participant. He knows about the frustrations of living with an invisible disability by watching my frequent struggles with communication access. Together, we made a video to highlight the difference. Watching the video below,

Featured image for “The Next Best Thing in Hearing Tech Might Be Glasses”

The Next Best Thing in Hearing Tech Might Be Glasses

The 2025 Consumer Electronics Show (CES) was a blast! In recent years, accessibility, including hearing tech, has been front and center. This year was no exception. Many hearing tech products were on display—OTC hearing aids, sound recognition apps, visual smartphone ringers, and more—but my favorite form factor was one that has been around for generations to help people with their

Featured image for “Your Annual Enjoying the Holidays with Hearing Loss Pep Talk”

Your Annual Enjoying the Holidays with Hearing Loss Pep Talk

There’s no place like home for the holidays. Or so they say. Gathering with friends and family is a treat, but when you have hearing loss, it also takes work. It’s not easy for anyone to hear in a crowded room or across a large dining table, but there are extra challenges for people with hearing loss. Not only are

Featured image for “Hearing Loss Prevention Is Key Message in New Children’s Book”

Hearing Loss Prevention Is Key Message in New Children’s Book

People often take hearing for granted—until it is too late. Sadly, this includes children and teenagers who may not understand the risks to their hearing when in loud situations. They may not have been taught that once damaged through noise exposure, hearing does not return or that noise-induced hearing is 100% preventable if the proper steps are taken. HearO Saves

Featured image for “When Your Hearing Aid is Just Software”

When Your Hearing Aid is Just Software

When most people think of hearing aids, they picture small, beige-colored devices that fit snugly inside or behind the ear. But what if the future of hearing devices is simply software that works on electronic devices you already possess? If you are an adult with mild to moderate hearing loss, this may soon be your reality, especially if you own