Assessed ears, enhanced hears
HAVING more than three decades of audiology experience, Donna Smith is the owner and audiologist at Audiology Hearing Centre in Dubbo which was established some six years ago, but which she bought during the pandemic two years ago.
“It was definitely a challenging time to own a business,” she admitted, but is thankful the practice remains independent.
That independence, she says, provides more choice for the products used, because each client has different products that work for them.
“We aren’t limited in the products we use – it is great for me being the clinician, but also for the clients as they have a choice of what works for them.”
From assessing hearing and ear functions to balance related issues, Ms Smith expressed that her primary focus is working in hearing rehabilitation.
“I enjoy rehabilitation the most – I find it very rewarding.”
Over the years, she has worked in a range of areas including community health, private practices, paediatric and specialist adult work, and researching, and in reflecting on her decision to pursue audiology, said it was never an occupation to which she aspired while growing up.
“As I studied in uni and learnt more about it, I thought it would be something I would be interested in doing,” she said, recalling that she continued looking into the work a bit further and decided to do the postgraduate degree.
Ms Smith told Dubbo Photo News that when clients decide to get their hearing assessed they often notice a great enhancement, and shared that some clients describe their hearing aids as life changing, whereas others benefit from a different device.
“Whatever their goal is, it is great to see that an impact has happened,” she added, saying that over the years devices have become more discrete and cosmetically appealing.
“They don’t have to be big and clunky,” she continued saying that if people are noticing their hearing is lessening over time that an assessment is recommended.