Hello, I'm Katherine Rybak.
Hard of hearing since birth, I founded Hearing Out Loud in 2021. Hearing Out Loud’s mission is to move people forward in their lives as strong self-advocates who celebrate their identity, embrace technology and confidently implement strategies to make meaningful connections within their community. I am also a recently retired Teacher for the d/Deaf and Hard of Hearing, have earned a master's degree in education and am a National Board Certified Teacher.
Those of us with hearing loss learn quickly that
when we miss something, we may be judged as inattentive, rude, or slow.
Our need for clarification slows the pace of the interchange, people lose interest
and we feel left behind.
It only takes a few times of being told, “nevermind,” before we realize sometimes it’s better just to bluff, or disengage from the conversation entirely.
I'm here to suggest that there is a better way.
You DO belong and it is possible to live an EMPOWERED life with hearing loss.
Let’s explore what that could look like.
—Katherine