Becoming an Empowered Hearing Ally: A Guide for Family, Friends, and Allies of the Deaf and Hard of Hearing Paperback – March 6, 2026

Most resources about hearing loss speak to the person living with it. But what about the people who love them?If you're a spouse, partner, parent, child, friend, or colleague of someone with hearing loss, you've probably felt unsure about how to help—or worried you're not doing enough. Maybe you've unintentionally said the wrong thing, felt frustrated by repeated miscommunications, or watched helplessly as someone you love retreats into isolation.Until now, there hasn't been a guide written specifically for you.Becoming an Empowered Hearing Ally fills that gap. More than a collection of communication tips or technology overviews, this book offers a window into the heart and mind of someone navigating life with hearing loss—the emotions, the identity shifts, the invisible exhaustion. Understanding these deeper dimensions transforms how you show up and how you connect.What makes this book different:Grounded in lived experience and professional expertise: author Katherine S. Rybak, M.Ed., has navigated hearing loss since childhood and spent years teaching students who are Deaf and Hard of HearingBuilt-in reflection prompts, "Ally in Action" strategies you can implement right away, and "Ally Connection" activities that create opportunities for meaningful conversationDesigned to work alongside Becoming Hearing Empowered, the guided journal for people with hearing loss—so you and your loved one can learn and grow together"Katherine Rybak has written an essential guide... amazingly thorough in its exploration of the multifaceted layers of hearing loss." —Joel Wish, Ph.D., PsychologistWhether you read it on your own or side by side with someone you care about, this book gives you what you've been searching for. Start reading today and become the ally they've been waiting for. Read more