Interview with Teresa Barnes

Author of Sound Advice: Tune Into Listening

Where are you from originally and where do you reside now?

San Diego, California. Carlsbad, California

If you currently reside somewhere besides where you were born, what’s the story that lead from there to here?

I moved back to San Diego in 1978 raised my two children here. When I went through a divorce I decided to move up to Carlsbad for a change of scenery and meeting new friends. Several people, I knew previous to my also decided to move up to North County of San Diego as well.

What made you decide to write and publish your first book?

1 in 5 Americans have hearing loss according to a John Hopkins Study. I am one of them. I’ve had it since birth, a former ER Manager, and had a potentially life-threatening accident due not hearing a warning shout from behind. A couple of incidences happened during this time about my not hearing from behind. When I shared this story with an artist neighbor she stated, “people cannot see hearing loss”. I federally registered a logo to help bring hearing loss for visibility and it is now used as an attraction magnet for businesses to lure this $1.7 trillion dollar market. My book is another resource for people to gain information about hearing loss to bring it to the 21st Century like heart health was in the 20th. Because hearing loss is a social and health condition that needs to be addressed proactively. We now have ADA 2010 hearing disorder regulations to need to be implemented in the workforce, schools, and to reverse the isolation of seniors who have hearing loss.

How would you describe your books to first time readers?

Here is what Denis Waitley, author of The Psychology of Winning had to say, ” Growing up in the glory days of radio, and with a career as a global speaker, most of my “sound advice” has been gained through the art of listening. Teresa Barnes truly is the ‘Voice of Hearing”. You or someone you know will have a life-changing experience by reading and internalizing her inspiring, timely message.” Tom Schenck, Marvel Comic’s Spiderman & Dartmouth ’89 had this to say about my book. “Teresa Barnes unflinching champions the rights of the world’s hearing impaired. Her remarkable book is a comprehensive work that both chronicles the history of hearing loss as well as give strategies for individuals and business to find solutions, hope, and empathy for each other. Her insights will change your perceptions of the world of hearing.”

Sound Advice: Tune Into Listening is a book that will help business leaders and readers understand what needs to be in their culture for increased revenue, retention, inclusion, productivity, customer service, ADA 2010 compliance, and for better overall health. Teresa Barnes, RN

Who do you feel is most likely to connect with the topics you write about?

I have had a hearing loss since birth and have seen the damage not addressing it does both personally and professionally

What unexpected or surprising thing did you learn during the process of writing and publishing?

It has a huge learning curve and even experienced publishers are not great at editing.

If you could, what advice would you give to your past self before embarking on this journey?

Get an agent, publisher, and a different editor.

How many people would you ideally like to reach with your books?

327.4 million Americans, then to expand to the 7.53 global citizens.

What has been the biggest challenge and frustration during the process to date?

Slow book sales, title corrections, and poor customer service from Balboa Press.

What’s your biggest strengths when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

I am tenacious, have used it as a business card, and being resourceful.

What’s your biggest weakness when it comes to book a) writing, b) publishing and c) marketing?

A) This information is continuously evolving as it is a health disease and affects people socially. B) Balboa Press service C) did not catch

When do you think you will write your next book?

Unsure

Are you self published or did you use a hybrid publisher, or a traditional publisher?

Balboa Press is considered a self-publisher.