Check Out Marne Sullivan’s Story

Today we’d like to introduce you to Marne Sullivan.

Hi Marne, so excited to have you with us today. What can you tell us about your story?
I was born deaf with a rare type of hearing loss and received a cochlear implant at 3 1/2 years old. Growing up, I learned to advocate for myself early on, but for most of my life I tried to downplay that part of me, especially as a Division I student-athlete.
It wasn’t until my senior year of college that I finally opened up about my hearing loss, realizing just how little awareness and understanding there was for students and athletes with visible and invisible disabilities, particularly hearing loss.
In the fall of 2022, I began sharing my story on TikTok and Instagram. What started as a way to connect with others grew into Hear and Out, a speaking, consulting, and advocacy initiative dedicated to building a community that educates and empowers people with hearing loss while bridging gaps with the hearing world.

We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
Being d/Deaf and hard of hearing comes with everyday challenges socially, professionally, and athletically. But for me, the biggest hurdles have always been communication and confidence. Growing up, I often felt like I was navigating these struggles alone, caught between the hearing world and the deaf world, and I rarely saw deaf or hard of hearing representation in sports, media, or entertainment.
To name a few challenges, I would get hearing fatigued from constantly reading lips and facial expressions while filling in gaps in conversations. As an athlete, my cochlear implant would sometimes die mid workout from sweat or rain, along with other obstacles.
These moments were frustrating and isolating, but they also taught me important lessons. They pushed me to think creatively when problem solving, advocate for myself, and approach life with the mindset that there is always a solution for everything.

Can you tell our readers more about what you do and what you think sets you apart from others?
I’m Marne Sullivan, a public speaker, hearing loss advocate, content creator, and former Division I athlete. I’m the founder of Hear and Out, a speaking, consulting, and social platform dedicated to empowering people with hearing loss while bridging gaps with the hearing world. Through speaking engagements, consulting, and digital content, I share insights from both a student-athlete and everyday perspective, advocate for accessibility and innovation, and push for greater d/Deaf and hard-of-hearing representation in sports, media, and entertainment.
What brings me the most joy is helping others and making an impact so they don’t have to struggle in silence. Hear and Out provides tools, resources, and frameworks to help individuals and organizations thrive in sports and everyday life.

What’s next?
My dream is to someday create my own run club and travel across the country, creating spaces where people with hearing loss or other disabilities, and those without, can connect and feel supported. Alongside this, I hope to continue giving speaking engagements to schools, student-athletes, organizations, and companies, helping them improve communication, accessibility, and self-advocacy. Ultimately, I aspire to write a book to share these lessons more broadly, offering tools, guidance, and empowerment for anyone navigating challenges and striving to reach their full potential.

Pricing:

• They can reach out [email protected] to book a speaking engagement or consulting!

Contact Info:

• Website: https://www.marnesullivan.com/
• Instagram: @marnesully
• TikTok: @marnesully
• LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/marnesullivan
• Email: [email protected] (Most responsive here)