Thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for a copy of this book. All opinions in this review are my own.

Biographies are generally not my cup of tea, but I am so glad I took a chance and read this book. This is an autobiographical story of a man who was born with hearing loss and his experience fully losing his hearing & gaining it back. Matt Hay does a great job explaining the feelings and thoughts he was having during the course of his hearing loss and subsequent treatments, as well as explaining complex medical information that the average person would probably not be exposed to. It really reminded me how much I can take my hearing for granted, and how important it is for society to be accessible. It confirmed that I really want to learn ASL, and that science is amazing when it comes to improving the lives of people when we give it access. I did end up listening to this as an audiobook as well, and I was really happy, albeit surprised, to see it was narrated by the author. This is not the longest book in the world, but it packs a big punch. I recommend picking it up if you are a biography reader, have hearing loss, or really just want to see the world from a little bit of a different point of view.

This was such a moving memoir about one man’s journey loosing his hearing. Often times the stories we are told are about those born with hearing loss, or loose their hearing quickly so it was interesting to read a book about hearing loss over an extended amount of time.

This memoir tells Matt Hay’s unique story about one with hearing loss. As a kid, he couldn’t hear as well as other kids, but a combination of being able to fake it and denial meant no one else ever knew. But as his hearing loss grew worse in college, he discovered he had a rare condition where he was growing tumors on his auditory nerves, and that he was going to go completely deaf. Then came many surgeries which made things both much worse before they became somewhat better.

I really enjoyed reading Matt’s story and his testament to both perseverance through tough times and his commitment to living as normal life as possible with all that he goes through. . Also loved the framing device of the book - as a music lover, in preparation for losing his hearing, he memorized songs he loved note by note, and each chapter starts with a lyric, and then throughout the book he sprinkles favorite lyrics as they apply to the moment.

My thanks to NetGalley for the free copy in exchange for my honest review. Matt Hay, the author, was born with a hearing loss and growing up he never realized that was not how everybody heard until he went totally deaf. It deals with his friends, his parents and how nobody knows how to cope with this. Matt shows how different people address his hearing loss. He meets Nora and falls in love just as he has gone totally deaf. The book shows the good and bad in people and how Matt and Nora tackle this problem during their life.

I fell in love with Matt and his wife Nora listening to this book. This is such a beautiful story of hope, determination, and love. I love the fact that Matt is able to laugh, and I enjoyed his sense of humor throughout the book. I loved the medical knowledge he provided in an understandable manner. The medical jargon wasn't overwhelming. I learned a lot while listening to this. Matt's love for music was one of my favorite parts of his story. The way he resiliently memorized songs and beats moved me.

Thank you NetGalley and St. Martin's Press for this ARC in exchange for my honest and voluntary review.

Matt Hay does not write like a first time author!!! This book is beautifully written and I was sucked in right away! What a journey....... I cried, I cheered, I held my breath. This book shows that we all have a story.

I was really excited about this one by the synopsis; however the execution was lacking. Parts that I kept thinking would have more emotion or be really pivotal moments of the book were glossed over and and then moved on really quickly without any reflection. For example, when Matt didn't get into the naval academy because of his hearing, that should have been a moment. There should have been tears shed or at least some reflection on why it wasn't a big deal. Instead it was just like "this will save my parents money so I can go to school in state." But no comment about your realization that you may have hearing loss? Did anyone in the family have any comment on it then? No comment about everyone being in complete denial about it all? Maybe there was more about this, but I DNFed about 20% in at the lack of reflection. I needed more reflection and a little more emotional vulnerability in a memoir

Matt Hay takes what could be a dismal, depressing topic--gradually going completely deaf in your 20's--and wrote a memoir of triumphing through some extremely difficult challenges. I thoroughly enjoyed his story, felt the anguish of his surgery side effects, and could relate to the meaning he places on songs that have importance during periods of his life. His love story with Nora was quite possibly the most moving romance I have ever read, the real-life story of two people for whom 'in sickness and in health' is more than just a platitude. A wonderful, inspiring story of not letting a disability or health challenge get in the way of achieving your dreams!

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for the digital copy of Soundtrack of Silence: Love, Loss,and a Playlist for Life. The opinions in this review are my own.

Matt has a life long journey that he talk about in this memoir , from childhood to adulthood . I listened to audio so I could hear his words in his own voice , it was moving and profound .

*Thank you so much to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for the chance to review an ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.*

Actual rating 3.75

The idea of never hearing music, or a loved one's voice again is a shattering concept that I hope never to experience. Hay took us through that with wit and resilience as he delivered his story with a lot of (for me, a bit too many) musical references that he has tied to his life and showed just what the human spirit can endure and overcome. Honest and well-written, a story worth hearing.

My thanks to St. Martin's Press, the author and Netgalley for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

The Soundtrack of Silence by Matt Hay was a fascinating memoir. Matt Hay has never had great hearing, but he eventually learns that he is slowly losing his hearing due to a condition called NF 2, (neurofibromatosis) which causes tumors, usually noncancerous that grow on your nerves. It documents his slow journey towards total hearing loss, just when he falls in love. He also has to go through several surgeries which cause other issues and needs to go through physical therapy. This is also happening as he's falling in love as well. He loves music and wants to learn how to remember the songs that were so important to him throughout his life. As an avid music fan, I can totally relate to this. As he documents his journey there is a lot of complicated medical information in this story but he does a great job of breaking it down and making it understandable in layman's terms. His medical journey is told in a relatable and humorous way, even though I can't imagine how difficult this has all been. He now gives back to the hearing loss and NF community, as well as running a few marathons. He does have a very supportive wife, family, and friends, as well as a seemingly great attitude to these hurdles he's been thrown. It's a really informative and inspiring memoir which I'd highly recommend reading

Thanks to St. Martin's Press, Netgalley, and the author Matt Hay for the ARC of this memoir.
1 like

I grew up in a home where a radio was always on. I also have friends and family with hearing loss and Matt's story have given me a lot of insight into what living with a hearing aid, cochlear implant or just tinnitus is like and how I can help with communication.

Matt's story was definitely inspiring and he really dealt with much more than the hearing loss having neurofibromatosis 2. It is definitely worth the time it takes to read it and I have some people I will likely gift a copy.

Thank you to Netgalley and St. Martin's Press for providing me with a digital copy.

I voluntarily read and reviewed an advanced copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
I really enjoyed this book. It was inspiring and just wonderful.

Soundtrack of Silence is the kind of memoir everyone should read. It details the author’s experience with hearing loss, going deaf, and the many complications that came with both—all while in the prime of his life. It’s a tough read in many ways, but also one that will build deeper empathy with the deaf community. Part of why I chose to read this memoir is because my mom is hard of hearing (though not deaf). Another key reason is its infusion of music in the author’s life and recovery process. And while I was certainly excited to read this memoir, I was blown away by how powerful it truly is.

Matt Hay begins his life story with his childhood and how, unbeknownst to him and his family, he was already hard of hearing. He describes the workarounds he developed as a child and which carried him into college. However, by the time he was in his early 20s, his hearing loss would become impossible to ignore. The diagnosis was devastating… but something he tackled with bravery and determination.

He describes hearing loss and deafness so vividly. I’m fortunate enough to have good hearing, and his descriptions helped me to really get a feel for what it’s like to lose an entire sense. I also loved how he described the value of music in his life and how he worked to memorize a playlist of his favorite songs. He didn’t just memorize the lyrics and melody; he worked to make note of each instrument, each harmony, each instance of vibrato or reverb or echo. As an avid music fan, it’s hard to imagine never hearing my favorite artists or songs again, let alone any new music. I love how music became a touchstone in Matt’s life and, ultimately, a valuable part of his recovery later on.

I was fascinated to learn about Matt’s rare condition and all the treatments and surgeries that would go into not only keeping his hearing for as long as possible, but would be necessary to keep him alive and well overall. He details his various surgeries, unexpected side effects (sometimes quite significant!), and the difficult path to acclimating to his new abilities. For the squeamish readers out there, some chapters do dive into some tougher details. I hard a particularly hard time reading about his eye treatments after a necessary brain nerve surgery.

Through it all, Matt keeps a positive attitude. He also talks about his wife—without whom his journey would have been a lot harder. It’s the power of love to lift up someone in their time of need, when medical situations necessitate major life changes, and how a couple can get through it together. His family support is strong, and along with the music, is vital in his recovery.

Soundtrack of Silence is a must-read, whether or not you or someone you know has experienced hearing loss or deafness. It’s a powerful memoir about one man’s strength through it all, the family that stood beside him, and the music that carried him through deafness and more.

Wow.

I started reading this book because of the true perspective of a man who lost his hearing. Even as someone who loves music and was interested in Matt’s story, I stayed for the storytelling, wisdom, and family connections that went above and beyond what I expected out of this book.

Matt tells his story in a beautiful way, and his wisdom and intelligence shines through his perspective, all the way from when he was a child to the end of the book.

As a very fun side note, I greatly enjoyed reading some of the personal details he shared about himself, his wife, and their family. His father-in-law’s relationship with his wife reminds me deeply of my own with my stepdad, right down to the intellectual conversations over books and Hershey’s chocolate bars.

Whether you’re looking to learn from someone else’s perspective, gain insight into the Deaf community, or read about family and faith, you are sure to find a friend in this book.

I enjoyed the book and it was a quick read. The only downside was the medical terms but i skimmed over those and really enjoyed his take on his hearing loss journey!

I liked many elements of this book and if you are a music lover, all of the songs he references throughout will play in your head like your own accompanying soundtrack. It’s clear that music really shaped his upbringing and he feels that loss acutely. His story is really incredible and I really loved how much he credited his wife; a caretaker’s role is so often overlooked.

While he briefly touches on Deaf culture and community, I would be really interested in reading a review from this community as well.

Thank you to the author Matt Hay and Steve Eubanks, publishers St. Martin's Press, and NetGalley, for an advance digital copy of SOUNDTRACK OF SILENCE. All views are mine.

Opening Quotes: "If I took charge of what was being discussed, I had a better chance of figuring out what was being said." Loc.286

"As long as you are speaking you don't have to listen." Loc.286

Three (or more) things I loved:

1. I relate to the author's stories about trying to fool the hearing tests as a kid. I did the same, to try to protect myself, to try to be not such a disappointment or to stick out!

Three (or less) things I didn't love:

This section isn't only for criticisms. It's merely for items that I felt something for other than "love" or some interpretation thereof.

1. Both I and my father are hard of hearing. He wears hearing aids, but I don't. I can't say I've ever asked him if he feels walled off (Loc.66) because of his hearing, but as he sings tenor in two local choirs and goes to operas where he cranks up his hearing aids, I don't imagine he does much. I on the other hand have a few disabilities I can find isolating, but this isn't one of them. I wonder if I will have trouble connecting to this book's underlying belief system about disability in general, as a thing to be surmounted, rather than to be gotten along with.

2. I'm not a fan of this memoirist's voice. It's very dominant of its subject, which happens to be disability, which is a big part of my life also. I've never once felt "in control" of my disabilities; I feel fortunate, as an older adult, to merely have found a sense of balance with them. I'm really struggling to connect to this man's story.

3. Let Channing Tatum have this one. It is not written for the disabled community, me included. I suspect it's for the cheerleaders who want only to be inspired by disabled people overcoming disability, but unfortunately, many of us are surviving, not inspiring.

Rating: 🦻🦻/5 hearing devices
Recommend? Maybe; it's the voice that bothered me most.
Finished: Jan 9 '23
Format: Digital arc, Kindle, NetGalley
Read this book if you like:
👂 stories about hearing impairment
🩻 medical memoirs
🤷 boy's coming of age

As a music lover, this memoir hit hard! Just like Matt, music has played such a significant part of my personality, and just thinking that I would never be able to hear my favorite songs ever again takes the wind out of me.

But don’t go into this memoir thinking that you are going to find a Matt that is down on his luck for what life has dealt him. Instead, you will find how you can completely make life work for you when you have the determination, and the support of your loved ones (We all need a Nora in our lives!)

Also appreciated in this book: No over-dump of medical information. I did not skim or skip pages with this one 🙌🏽

LOVED!