Growing up in a family band with severe hearing loss, Emily Haber has learned that when it comes to music, connection is much more important than perfection. And after years of writing for others, she is finally ready to have her own voice heard. Her new single, Nostalgia, explores the complexity of reflecting on what you had compared to what you could’ve had. As her way of paying it forward and expressing gratitude for the help she received for her hearing loss from the Starkey Hearing Foundation, Haber frequently volunteers for and donates to them. To learn more about Emily Haber and how living with hearing loss has affected her relationship to music, read on.

Where are you based?
I’m based in Los Angeles, after spending many years honing my craft in Nashville. I grew up performing in a family band, so home has always felt a little bit like wherever the music is.

What inspired you to pursue a career in the music industry?
I don’t remember a time when music wasn’t part of my life. I grew up on the road, playing shows with my family across the country. It started as something we all did together, but over time, songwriting turned into something much more personal for me.

Congratulations on your new single, “Nostalgia.” Can you tell us more about the moment that inspired it?
Thank you! Nostalgia was born out of the bittersweet feeling of reflection. It’s about both the moments I miss and the childhood I sometimes longed for but didn’t really have, growing up in a family band. It’s about honoring the beauty and the complexity of those memories, and finding peace with all the versions of yourself you’ve been along the way.

What do you hope listeners feel when they hear “Nostalgia” for the first time?
I hope they feel seen. Nostalgia is a universal feeling of missing what was, or what could have been. I hope the song gives people a place to sit with those emotions without judgment. I want it to feel like a quiet exhale.

After years of writing for others, this track marks your debut as a solo artist. What finally made you feel ready to share your own voice?
Honestly, I never set out to release music under my own name. I’ve always loved writing for others, helping shape their stories and stepping into different perspectives. But over time, a few songs showed up that felt too personal to hand off. Around the same time, advancements in hearing aid technology gave me a new level of confidence in my voice — something I didn’t always have, growing up with severe hearing loss. It felt like the right moment to trust myself and finally share a piece of my own story.

Your work has been featured across major TV shows. Do you write differently when crafting for film and television?
Definitely. When I’m writing for film and TV, it’s less about telling my personal story and more about creating a feeling that fits a moment onscreen. It’s about capturing an emotion in a way that leaves space for someone else’s story to live inside it. Both kinds of writing are rewarding, just in different ways.

You have quite a powerful story, as you are a musician who was born with extreme hearing loss. How has it impacted your relationship with music?
Living with severe hearing loss has shaped everything about how I experience music. I connect more deeply with lyrics and melody than with production or sonic perfection. I grew up relying on instinct and feeling rather than hearing every detail. It’s made me a more emotional listener and I think, a more intentional writer.

What was it like hearing your voice for the first time?
It was overwhelming. When I was fitted with my first advanced hearing aids as a teenager, it felt like the world suddenly opened up. Hearing my own voice clearly was emotional and, at times, uncomfortable. I’ve done a lot of speech therapy over the years, but I’ve learned that connection matters so much more than sounding perfect.

You have become an active volunteer with the Starkey Hearing Foundation. How did you first get involved with them?
I first connected with Starkey as a teenager through a family friend. They fitted me with hearing aids that changed my life, and the experience stayed with me. Years later, I visited their headquarters again and was fitted with their Edge AI technology by Bill Austin himself. Their mission of giving the gift of hearing is something I’ll always feel deeply connected to.

We heard that a portion of the proceeds from your new single will go towards the Starkey Hearing Foundation. Why was it important to you to donate these proceeds?
Because I know firsthand what a difference hearing technology can make — not just for music, but for connection, for relationships, for being able to fully participate in life. I wouldn’t be who I am without the help I received. Giving back to Starkey is my way of paying it forward.

What does it mean to you to use your platform not just for music but to uplift others through service?
It means everything. Music can be a bridge to bigger conversations. If sharing my story or supporting a cause can make even one person feel less alone, then it’s worth it. I believe we’re here to connect and to help each other however we can.

What advice would you give to aspiring artists with hearing loss who might be feeling uncertain of pursuing a future for themselves in music?
Don’t count yourself out. Your path might look different, and that’s okay. Different doesn’t mean less. Trust your instincts, find your people, and know that your perspective is your superpower. The world needs all kinds of voices and yours matters.

Are there any upcoming projects you would like to share?
I’m continuing to write for other artists and for film and TV, and I’m already starting to sketch out what might come next for my own music.

It has been a crazy past few years, how have you been staying positive?
I try to stay rooted in gratitude for the small things: quiet mornings, people who feel like home, and all the little moments that make it worth it.

What is your motto in life?
Let it unfold. What’s meant for you won’t miss you, and you don’t have to force what’s already yours.

To learn more about Emily Haber, please check out the links below:
Instagram: @emilyhaber

Emily Haber: Connection Over Perfection