We’re excited to introduce you to the always interesting and insightful Nashlea Brogan. We hope you’ll enjoy our conversation with Nashlea below.
Nashlea, so good to have you with us today. We’ve always been impressed with folks who have a very clear sense of purpose and so maybe we can jump right in and talk about how you found your purpose?
My journey began with losing my hearing as a young adult, I was fit with hearing aids at age 18 years old. The experience of slowly going deaf and adapting to life with hearing aids—and later cochlear implants—was life-changing. It wasn’t just the physical loss of sound; it was the emotional toll, the challenges of staying connected to those around me, the loss of spontaneity and the uncertainty about the future.
What shaped me most during that time wasn’t just the difficulty of my hearing loss and tinnitus, but the exceptional care and advice I received from my audiologist. She provided me with thoughtful guidance, compassionate understanding, and actionable advice that went far beyond just fitting hearing aids. She encouraged me to wear my hearing aids fully and also to look into Audiology as a career. Her approach distilled in me a deep belief that hearing healthcare should be about so much more than devices—it should be about supporting the whole person from cradle to grave.
That early experience inspired me to become an audiologist myself, combining my love for people, my background in psychology, and my firsthand understanding of hearing loss. As I began my practice, I quickly realized that hearing care often missed the mark. It focused on technical solutions but overlooked the emotional and psychological challenges that hearing loss brings to those impacted and their families.
Losing my hearing gave me a unique perspective on the gaps in care. It became clear that my purpose was to transform the way hearing healthcare is delivered. I wanted to create a practice where patients felt truly heard, empowered, and supported—not just with devices, but with education, connection, and a focus on their overall well-being and preventive care.
Today, I lead Bluewater Hearing & Balance with this mission at its core. My purpose is to help people treat their hearing loss and tinnitus early and holistically, reclaim their confidence, and thrive in all aspects of their lives. My personal journey and professional expertise drive me to ensure that others receive the kind of care that empowers them to live fully, just as I was inspired to do all those years ago.
Through my practice, advocacy, and international speaking engagements to both hearing professionals and patients, I strive to transform lives by transforming hearing healthcare—making it more compassionate, personalized, and impactful for everyone on their hearing journey.
Appreciate the insights and wisdom. Before we dig deeper and ask you about the skills that matter and more, maybe you can tell our readers about yourself?
I’m Dr. Nashlea Brogan, a mom, skier, weight lifter, who just happens to be an international speaker, advocate for proactive hearing healthcare, private practice owner, and Audiologist with a deeply personal connection to my work. I experienced progressive hearing loss as a young adult, eventually losing all my hearing and adapting to life with hearing aids and, later, cochlear implants. My journey has profoundly shaped who I am, both personally and professionally, and given me a unique dual perspective: as someone who has lived with hearing loss and as a professional dedicated to helping others navigate it.
Twenty years ago, I founded Bluewater Hearing & Balance in Sarnia, Ontario, with a mission to redefine hearing healthcare. Our practice focuses on delivering patient-centered care that addresses not just the technical aspects of hearing loss but also the emotional, cognitive, and relational challenges that come with it. I’m proud of the compassionate, educational, and proactive approach we take, including our unique 4-year all-inclusive care program that ensures continuous support and proper brain stimulation for our patients.
What excites me most about my work is the opportunity to truly transform lives. Hearing loss isn’t just about sound; it’s about connection, mental well-being, and maintaining cognitive health as we age. Seeing patients regain confidence, reconnect with loved ones, and live fuller lives because of the care we provide is incredibly rewarding.
Recently, I’ve been expanding my work beyond the clinic. I’m focusing on educating and empowering individuals through speaking engagements, online content, and community events. One of my most exciting projects this year was my TEDx Talk filmed at Boston College which was an editors pick by TEDx and released on November 18, 2024 to a global audience. This talk was a personal reflection of my personal experience and professional life. Titled ” How hearing loss could be impacting your relationships” I dive into the increasing prevalence of hearing loss, with 1.5 billion people now living with hearing loss (WHO) and the urgent need to address this “We are presently experiencing a global increase in hearing loss coupled with rising rates of social isolation loneliness mental health problems like anxiety and depression and gray divorces highlighting the urgent need to address the impact untreated hearing loss on communication What’s more worrisome is that despite the availability of modern treatment on average less than 20 percent of people choose to take action and treat their hearing loss “ and how it impacted my life “If I had to point to the thing I missed the most during this time it was spontaneity that loss of spontaneous connection That’s what hearing loss silently robs from your life When your partner cracks a joke to lift your spirits and you miss it so you miss it all everything has to repeat it again and again and you find yourself constantly struggling to keep up with the conversation The fear of misunderstanding and shame of responding inappropriately led me to withdraw socially from situations that I most cherished and it slowly chipped away at my confidence and self-esteem,”
My TEDx talk will hopefully connect with the families who are impacted and urge them to take action “the longer people wait to address their hearing loss the harder it becomes to adapt And the greater the potential impact on cognitive health mental well-being relationships and overall quality of life That’s why I’m urging everyone to think of hearing care as preventative care”
Additionally, I’m passionate about changing the narrative around hearing loss. My personal journey has shown me that hearing loss is not a reflection of someone’s worth or capabilities—it’s a common and treatable medical condition. I’m committed to breaking down the stigma and encouraging people to take proactive steps to care for their hearing health. regardless of the age.
For those who are just starting their hearing care journey or are unsure of where to begin, I’ve created helpful content on various social media platforms such as instagram and Facebook to connect with people where they are, in their real life, weather its flying with hearing technology, going to the beach or gym, or simply having boundaries with family members.
Hearing loss isn’t just about you ears or sound—it’s about how you live your life. It affects your intimate relationships, your confidence, and even your brain health. I know this firsthand because I’ve lived it. The truth is, hearing loss doesn’t have to hold you back. Today’s treatments are groundbreaking, and the sooner you act, the sooner you reclaim your ability to connect, communicate, and thrive. Don’t wait—your life is too important to miss out on what truly matters. Treating hearing loss isn’t just about hearing better; it’s about living boldly.
Looking back, what do you think were the three qualities, skills, or areas of knowledge that were most impactful in your journey? What advice do you have for folks who are early in their journey in terms of how they can best develop or improve on these?
The Three Most Impactful Qualities in My Journey:
Resilience
Losing my hearing as a young adult while starting and running a business and having a family required a deep well of resilience. It taught me to focus on today, not yesterday or tomorrow, because that is all we have. It taught me gratitude for what I do have in my life right now,
Advice: Build resilience by focusing on the positives, what you can do right now to create a better future.
Empathy and Emotional Intelligence:
My own experience with hearing loss gave me a unique ability to connect with others on their journeys. Understanding the emotional and psychological impacts of hearing loss helped me deliver care that addresses not just the physical symptoms but also the person as a whole.
Advice: Develop empathy and compassion not sympathy for others. We develop empathy by truly listening to others and seeking to understand their experiences from their perspective not yours. Emotional intelligence can be improved by practicing mindfulness and self-awareness in every interaction.
Adaptability and Lifelong Learning:
Life is always evolving, for example my own hearing healthcare needs changed over time from hearing aids to cochlear implants, and I allowed myself to adapt and learn with these new changes. Same in practice, as an owner and team leader, I am always learning and adapting to changes in hearing healthcare, what my teams need to support people and themselves. “Never stop learning, Keep Growing”
Advice: Cultivate an open mindset of lifelong learning. Stay curious, ask questions, and seek out opportunities to grow—professionally and personally. Whether through formal education, mentorship, or simply staying informed, adaptability ensures you’re always ready to meet the next challenge. I am always reading, listening to podcasts, connecting with new mentors. the journey to discover something new never ends.
For Those Early in Their Journey:
Start by embracing the discomfort of being a beginner. Resilience, empathy, and adaptability aren’t innate—they’re developed through experience, self-reflection, and a willingness to keep moving forward. Take 10X action everyday, even when you’re not ready. Just Do It. Make mistakes and try again.
Surround yourself with people who inspire you, people who are farther along then you, look for people who have done what you want to do, and look for the clues they leave behind. These people can be found everywhere, in local groups, online Facebook communities, courses, the digital online world is a vast sea of mentors waiting for you to reach out.
How can folks who want to work with you connect?
I’m looking to collaborate with healthcare organizations and companies committed to improving hearing health and awareness, including integrating hearing health into workplaces. With my unique perspective as an audiologist and someone who has lived with hearing loss, I offer impactful training, education, and speaking engagements that bridge the gap between hearing healthcare and patient well-being. Whether it’s workplace programs, innovative training solutions, or transformative workshops, I help organizations create real change.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://www.excellenceinaudiology.org
- Instagram: @nashleabrogan.aud
- Facebook: @nashleabrogan
- Linkedin: @nashleabrogan
- Youtube: @nashleabrogan
- Other: https://www.bluewaterhearing.ca
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