Maria Gallucci: How can we truly listen without hearing?

Maria Gallucci is a top 1% realtor in Colorado and the author of Raised in Silence, a book inspired by her life as a child of deaf parents. We spoke about how growing up in both the hearing and deaf worlds taught her that “listening isn’t about hearing, it’s about paying attention,” and how that understanding shaped her career and advocacy for inclusivity.Her journey began when she was just twelve, interpreting for her parents as they bought their first home—without an interpreter present. That moment lit a lifelong mission: to make sure no one felt unseen or uninformed. “Empathy isn’t about pity,” she says, “it’s about respect.” Through ASL Realty, she now helps deaf and hard-of-hearing clients buy homes with clarity and confidence, ensuring that communication barriers never stand between them and their dreams.Maria’s work extends beyond real estate. When her son came out as gay, she recognized the same need for acceptance and understanding she’d seen in the deaf community. “Love is love,” she says. “Connection requires humility.” Her message is simple but powerful: awareness and inclusion begin with a willingness to understand.This conversation reminds us that attention is the truest form of listening—and that empathy, practiced daily, can turn isolation into connection.Key takeawaysListening means paying attention, not just hearing words.Empathy is respect, not pity or charity.Only 10% of hearing parents learn sign language for their deaf children.Inclusion starts with small, consistent acts of understanding.Real communication requires humility and presence.Advocacy begins by helping others feel seen and valued.