Eric Hagberg

He served in the U.S.,Air Force at the Air Force Academy in Colorado as a surgical technician.

After his discharge from the U.S. Air Force, Eric moved to Ohio to attend Kent State University where he graduated with a master’s degree in audiology. Eric later earned his Doctorate in Audiology (Au.D.) from A.T. Still University in 2000. Dr. Hagberg established and operated Neuro-Communication Services, a successful private practice in Youngstown, Ohio. He coauthored “Prescription of Hearing Aids,” the first prescription method ever used to program hearing aids. Throughout his career, Dr. Hagberg was a mentor to many young audiologists and audiology students. Dr. Hagberg is highly regarded as a leader in his field and was instrumental in elevating the profession of audiology from a masters degree to a doctorate level education. Dr. Hagberg was past president of the Academy of Doctors of Audiology and, at the time of his death, was serving as the chair of their Advocacy Committee. As an international advocate for the hearing impaired, Dr. Hagberg traveled to China in 2014 to fit hearing aids on those in need as part of the “So the World May Hear” mission.

Eric enjoyed hunting with his friends and family. He was a member of Safari Club International working to protect the freedom to hunt and to promote wildlife conservation world wide. Eric earned a black belt in Karate and always enjoyed the food at the Canfield Fair in Ohio.

Eric and Jane retired to Arizona in 2016 from Ohio. Since moving to Arizona, Eric has enjoyed the desert lifestyle. He was an avid competitive shooter and actively involved in the Cactus Combat Match and Clay Busters leagues at The Ben Avery Shooting Facility where he won numerous awards for sporting clays and action pistol competition.

Eric is survived by his wife, Jane of 39 years; daughter, Rachel (Don); brother, Richard; sister, Mary; along with many in-laws, nieces, nephews, professional associates, and friends who will greatly miss him.

Preceding him in death were his parents, Nelson and Pauline; and sister, Margaret “Peggy.”

In lieu of flowers, the family suggests that memorial contributions may be made to the Medicare Audiologist Access and Services Fund http:// chooseaudiology.org/ donate to ensure the enactment of the legislation that Eric worked tirelessly for even after his retirement.

Services for Eric will be held at later date at which time he will be interred at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.