Valecia’s Story.
“Empower and Hear Inc. non-profit was created to empower women like myself with hearing loss. Here we share information, give inspiration, and help guide you to have a sense of inclusion.
When you educate yourself, it slowly peels away the stigma of hearing loss. When you self-advocate, it builds your ability to speak up to be seen and heard, and when you access resources and use the accessories available, you arm yourself to pursue your life goals and your quality of life evolves!
Hearing loss empowerment is real! We here at E&H want to help you reach your best self. If you or someone you love is struggling with hearing loss, you are in the right place!”
— Valecia Adams
My name is Valecia Adams and I am Hard of Hearing, with an ongoing history of moderate-severe hearing loss and wearing bilateral hearing aids. I’m married with six kids and nine grandkids. I am a retired government employee, and currently operate several businesses with my husband. I have dual residency, as I was born and raised in Milwaukee, WI, but also reside in California.
My journey of hearing loss began when I was in 2nd grade when my teacher suggested I get screened for hearing loss; however, I was never diagnosed with a hearing loss condition. Throughout grade school and up until college, I struggled with my academics and communication with others. It wasn’t until I attended a community college that I realized that my hearing loss was an issue.
I struggled for quite some time accepting my reality, and had many experiences that kept me living in the stigma of hearing loss. One day, I decided to seek services and resources to help me manage and cope with my hearing loss reality. In doing so, I started my own non-profit organization, Empower and Hear, to serve the community of minority and underserved women suffering from hearing loss.
I previously served on a Board of Hearing Loss as the Director of Operations as well as spoke on local radio stations and featured in a Women’s Health Magazine. In addition to my new adventures, I aim to host and speak at conferences, create programs to help young girls with hearing loss in grade school, working women, and encourage men and women to get involved in their communities in spreading hearing loss awareness.