How Hearing Loss Shaped Laura Taylor's Mission to Advocate for Change

On this episode of The Buzz by Nagish, I’m joined by Laura Taylor, our Head of Engagement and Support. Laura brings over 15 years of experience as a trusted advisor and digital media executive. Now, she’s using her expertise to advocate for the Deaf and hard-of-hearing communities.

In our conversation, Laura opens up about her personal journey with hearing loss and how it changed her life, at work and beyond. We dive into the unique challenges late-deafened adults face, the common misconceptions around hearing loss, and the resilience it takes to navigate between the hearing and Deaf communities.

Below, you can catch some highlights from my interview with Laura – and as always, the full conversation is available here:

How did growing up with a deaf sister shape your understanding of communication and connection?

Laura: Growing up with a deaf sister shaped my sensitivity to how people communicate. Watching my sister, Angie, struggle to be included in conversations made me more aware of how easily people can be left out. It taught me to pay attention to others’ needs in conversation, making sure that they feel heard and understood. I think that understanding, developed over the years, has influenced my approach to helping others and working with people. It gave me an early appreciation for how vital connection is, especially for those with hearing loss.

How far apart was it between your sister's passing and you realizing that you'd been impacted severely by hearing loss?

Laura: My sister passed away in 2017, and at that point, I was still doing fine with my hearing aids. I had gotten them in 2015 for a mild to moderate hearing loss. But then, slowly, things started changing. You don’t really realize you’re losing your hearing until it’s kind of too late. It’s sneaky. I had someone tell me, “You should get your hearing checked,” and I brushed it off. I remember saying, “Why would I spend all that money on hearing aids when I can just turn the TV up for free?” That denial lasted for a while until I finally accepted what was happening.

What was the hearing loss journey like for you, and how did your perspective evolve as you began to experience it firsthand?

Laura: Once I started using hearing aids, it made a difference. Then, COVID hit, and suddenly everyone was wearing masks. That’s when I realized I’d been lip-reading more than I thought. Losing my hearing was a total shock, but it also gave me a new perspective. Growing up with a deaf sister, I thought I understood what it meant to be deaf. But living through it myself—it's a completely different experience.

What are the challenges that impact late-deafened adults versus people born deaf or people who lost their hearing at a very young age?

Laura: Late-deafened adults have different challenges than those born deaf. Many of us grew up hearing, so we didn’t learn sign language as kids. We’ve had to navigate a world built for hearing people, and then suddenly, that world doesn’t fit anymore. It’s isolating, and there’s a lot of misunderstanding from others. People might think you’re not paying attention when really, you just didn’t hear them. And for many late-deafened adults, there’s also a sense of loss—losing something you always had. That can be hard to cope with.

What misconceptions about late-deafened adults do you most often encounter?

Laura: There are so many misconceptions. One of the biggest is that people think if you have hearing loss, you can’t communicate effectively. That’s not true at all. I’ve had people talk to me like I’m not in the room once they find out I’m deaf. It’s frustrating. Another misconception is that hearing loss affects your intelligence, which it absolutely doesn’t. People also don’t realize that deafness is on a spectrum. It’s not just "you can hear" or "you can’t"—there are so many variations in between.

What unexpected gifts have your hearing loss journey brought into your life?

Laura: My own hearing loss taught me patience and the importance of advocating for myself. I had to learn how to navigate the world differently and let people know when I needed something repeated or clarified. That process built my resilience. It was a journey of personal growth—learning how to ask for what I need and finding others who understand what it’s like to experience hearing loss. Through this, I also found a sense of community with others who’ve gone through the same thing, which was an unexpected but incredibly rewarding gift.

What led you to get involved in advocacy and what did you learn from your experiences?

Laura: I’ve always been an advocate for the deaf and hard-of-hearing communities. Growing up with my sister, I saw how people treated her, the assumptions they made. That really shaped me. But when I lost my hearing, I felt isolated. I needed to connect with others going through the same thing. That’s what led me to organizations like ALDA (Association of Late-Deafened Adults). Through them, I learned so much about what it means to live with hearing loss, and I realized how much work needs to be done to raise awareness and support people. It’s been an eye-opening experience. My goal has always been to make sure people with hearing loss feel seen and heard. It’s about giving them the tools they need to communicate and thrive in a world that isn’t always built for them. That’s why I am so excited about the work I am now doing with Nagish.