Dr. Eric Nelson Hagberg

Eric Hagberg passed away on Friday, July 24, 2020. Eric was born in 1948 in Buckeye, AZ to Nelson and Pauline Hagberg and was raised in rural Frewsburg, NY. He served in the Air Force at the Air Force Academy in Colorado as a surgical technician. After his discharge from the 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 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. H...[more]

View Full Online Obituary and Tributes

erg 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 worldwide. 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 40 years, daughter Rachel (Don), brother Richard and 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. A private family service will be held October 30, 2020 at the National Memorial Cemetery of Arizona in Phoenix.