WNBA star Emma Meesseman, who has been using a hearing aid since childhood, encourages everyone not to let setbacks hold them back.
Emma Meesseman, a professional basketball player for the New York Liberty, has been living with hearing loss since childhood.
She was born with 50% hearing in both ears and has worn hearing aids throughout her career. However, she has never let this challenge hold her back.
Emma’s hearing loss was first noticed when she was a child.
It was discovered when her parents realized Emma wasn’t speaking like other children, which led to the discovery that she had moderate hearing loss.
Despite this, Emma was determined to follow in the footsteps of her mother, Sonja Tankrey, who was a well-known Belgian basketball player. She wanted to live up to her legacy.
As a child, Emma began wearing hearing aids, and she continued using them throughout her career.
In fact, the WNBA player has proved herself through her achievements.
Today, Emma is recognized as one of the top players in women’s basketball, having won multiple EuroLeague titles, an NBA World Championship with the Washington Mystics in 2019, and represented Belgium in the Olympics.
Emma Meesseman Became the Ambassador of Phonak, a Leading Hearing Aid Brand, in 2021!
Emma is an ambassador for Phonak, a leading hearing aid brand, and wears their Audéo hearing aids.
She appreciates the convenience of their rechargeable batteries, as they help her avoid the hassle of constantly changing batteries, a common challenge for those using hearing devices.
In her journey as a professional basketball player, Emma has become a role model for young athletes with hearing challenges.
Let alone feeling disheartened, Emma used her hearing loss to her advantage. She developed a strong sense of observation that gives her an edge on the court.
She encourages others to live their lives to the fullest, regardless of hearing loss.
Her message is simple: “Do what you love to do. You don’t have to stop because of your hearing challenge.”
Emma has proved her determination through her successful career trajectory.
She has won four EuroLeague titles with her club UMMC Ekaterinburg, a WNBA championship with the Washington Mystics, and was named the Finals MVP in 2019.
In addition, she earned a bronze medal with the Belgian Cats at the European Championship in 2017 and was part of the team that qualified for the Olympics in 2020.
Her success on the court has been paired with recognition off the court. Emma was named Belgian Sportswoman of the Year in 2020. She is also headed to the Paris Olympics in 2024 as a two-time Olympian.
In Case You Didn’t Know
- Emma was born to parents, Sonja Tankrey and Gil Meesseman, on May 13, 1993.
- Her mother, Sonja, was a distinguished basketball player who represented Belgium in the 1980 and 1985 EuroBasket Women tournaments and was named Belgian Women’s Basketball Player of the Year in 1983.
- Emma’s father, Gil Meesseman, is a kinesiologist.
