People who have a hearing loss sometimes feel that they are alone and that their hearing loss may automatically limit what they can achieve. Neither of these assumptions is true. Those with hearing loss are part of a community of others who experience similar funny and sad parts of life associated with their hearing loss. There are many famous people with hearing loss who have achieved wonderful and important things-sometimes in spite of their hearing loss, sometimes even because of it. These individuals demonstrate how hearing loss can be a motivation to succeed and even be an asset.

Ronald Reagan

Inspired many others to seek help from hearing aids when he purchased hearing aids during his presidency.

Bill Clinton

Experienced mild hearing loss associated with exposure to loud music as a teenager. His purchase of hearing aids as president inspired other baby boomers to feel that hearing aids were not just for old people.

Ludvig van Beethoven

Was deeply troubled by his hearing loss and could not bring himself to speak of it publicly. However, his hearing loss stirred the most profound depths of his being and undoubtedly contributed to the outpouring of emotion in his revered compositions.

Heather Whitestone

Miss America of 1995, is the first deaf Miss America. She wears a hearing aid in one ear and a cochlear implant in the other ear. She has been an inspiration to many, especially to young people with disabilities, for her achievements and optimistic spirit.

C. Everett Koop, M.D.

Surgeon General of United States, 1981-1989, was first an internationally respected pediatric surgeon. After he resigned as Surgeon General he became a powerful force for public health and health education. When he found that he had a hearing loss himself he was amazed to find how much hearing aids helped and then became an advocate for people with hearing loss, encouraging all to get the help they need to hear better.

Lou Ferrigno

Star of the "Incredible Hulk" television show became an instant role model for young people with hearing loss. Lou experienced hearing loss as a child, and then went on to star in many movies, play professional football, and win several bodybuilding titles. He has told others that his hearing loss made him determined to maximize his own potential.

Rush Limbaugh

Radio talk show host, experienced sudden hearing loss as an adult. Rush found ways to use technology in the radio studio and ask for help from his staff in order to continue with his radio broadcasts, then got a cochlear implant which helps him to hear.

Richard Dysart

Star of "L.A. Law," sought help when he realized he had a hearing loss and feels fortunate that his hearing aids help him to hear.

Helen Keller

Was deaf and blind and is one of the most highly respected and frequently quoted women in history as an author and thinker.

Nanette Fabray

Stage and screen star, found that surgery and hearing aids helped her hearing. She too has encouraged others to get the help they need.

Amy Ecklund

A deaf actress who starred in the long-lived soap opera, "Guiding Light," and proved that people can realize their dreams despite a hearing loss.

Thomas Edison

Had a hearing loss as a young man and his hearing progressively worsened as he became older. He was one of the most prodigious and prolific inventors of all time.

Arnold Palmer

Golf legend, wears hearing aids and urges others to get help.

Courtesy of Interactive Therapeutics, Inc.