Books for Living with Hearing Loss

A lot of people don't realize just how much hearing loss can wear you down. Losing any of your five senses can be devastating from a mental health perspective. You're losing something you previously used to relate to the world, and that loss will impact everything from your personal life to your career.

The most important thing to do when coping with hearing loss is to remember that you aren't alone.  Your friends and family can help support you through this difficult time. Beyond that, there are a great many hearing loss support groups you can turn to for assistance, such as the American Speech-Language-Hearing Association.

There are also plenty of books you can read to help you better understand and deal with the struggle you now face. Written by everyone from physicians to researchers to everyday people who've experienced hearing loss firsthand, they run the gamut from information to personal stories to simple inspiration. We've selected a few of our favorites, with helpful tools and tips for families, friends, employees, and caretakers of individuals with hearing loss. 

Additionally, Hannan offers helpful advice on how to talk to audiology professionals to get the best possible hearing care, adjust to hearing aids, and empower yourself to communicate confidently. The Way I Hear It isn’t just a book for people with hearing loss; it’s also an effective tool for their families and the audiology professionals who serve them. Find it on Amazon.

Written by an experienced ear, nose and throat (ENT) specialist, this easy-to-read book is an informative resource for anyone with any level of hearing loss. Dr. Timothy Frantz gives readers the tools they need to identify hearing loss, as well as the steps to take to address it. Plus, Dr. Frantz offers helpful and comprehensive tips for navigating the world of hearing aids, and finding the right hearing care. If an expert—yet easily-digestible—perspective is what you’re looking for, this book is a great place to start. Find it on Amazon.

Lousberg provides a wealth of positive reinforcement, useful information and confidence-boosting stories that will bring a smile to your face and help you understand that yes—you can lead, produce and thrive in the workplace when you have hearing loss. Whether you work in a corporate job, the service industry or manufacturing, this book is an excellent companion in your journey to living and working better with hearing loss. Find it on Amazon.

More tips, advice and support abound in Katherine Boutin’s Living Better with Hearing Loss. After overcoming her own struggle with deafness, Boutin penned a comprehensive guide of best practices based on her own research and experiences. As the title suggests, this book outlines how to live well in all areas of your life. Boutin offers up pages of wisdom on not only finding the right audiologist and choosing proper hearing care, but successfully making your way through life’s everyday challenges. Learn the ins and outs of navigating airports, job hunting, interviews, dining out and first dates in this relatable and easy-to-read book. Find it on Amazon.

In this memoir, Boutin recounts her journey into deafness and her return to the hearing world through the miracles of technology. She details her conversations with a number of doctors and hearing specialists, as well as others who are seeking the causes—and cures—for hearing loss, interweaving their stories with her own. This informative and deeply-felt account paints a clear picture of what it’s like to live with what Boutin refers to as an “invisible disability,” making it a must-read for both those who struggle with limited hearing, as well as the families, friends, caregivers and employers of those who have hearing loss. Find it on Amazon.