Hearing the call for social good
What do you do when you love music and human sciences and want to do some social good ? Become an audiologist and start an online rehabilitation platform, writes Oon Yeoh
THAT is exactly what Dr Shasa Aziz has done. Her company, Eartistic, is currently in five locations — two in the Klang Valley and one each in Kota Bharu, Sungai Petani and Johor Baru. She’s currently developing an app to deliver online learning materials for speech-impaired children.
Making the transition from being a doctor to a business person wasn’t an easy one but having established her business, Dr Shasa is now looking at venturing into social entrepreneurship in order to help the less fortunate in the areas of speech and language.
WHERE DID YOU STUDY AUDIOLOGY?
I graduated with a Bachelor’s degree in Audiology from University College of London and later got my Audiology Doctorate from Nova Southeastern University in Florida. I’m also a certified Vestibular Management practitioner of American Institute of Balance, Cognitive Behavioural Therapy by Aston University and certified for Noise Conservation by Dangerous Decibels.
HOW DID YOU GET INTERESTED IN AUDIOLOGY?
Perhaps the fact that I am a musician who happens to love human sciences has something to do with it.
DO YOU HAVE A BAND?
I did have a band when I was in the UK. I sang, played guitar and piano. I don’t have a band anymore but I still sing and produce music as teaching tools for children. In terms of audiology, the US was definitely a better option. If I could turn back time, I would choose to do my studies in the US all the way, from Bachelors to Doctorate. I felt my time in the US was too short.
SO WHY DID YOU CHOOSE THE UK FOR YOUR BACHELORS?
All my siblings had studied in the UK so there was a certain familiarity with it.
DID YOU FOUND EARTISTIC RIGHT AFTER GRADUATION OR DID YOU WORK SOMEWHERE FIRST?
I worked for Oticon Malaysia for a while. They’re one of the world’s largest providers of hearing care solutions.
WHAT MADE YOU DECIDE TO CREATE EARTISTIC?
There were many reasons actually. I had always told myself that before I turned 30 I would want to be either a business person or do some social work. I saw how my brothers were able to do a lot of good work for society after they became successful business people. So, I figured if I started my own business I’d also be in a position to do more social good. That’s one reason.
Another reason was when I became a mother, I wanted to have more control over my own time so I could spend more time with my family. Being an employee doesn’t give you that flexibility but being an entrepreneur does.
Also, having specialised in vestibular disorders, I wanted to work in a field where I could put my training to good use.
WHAT DOES EARTISTIC DO?
We see clients, young and old, who need diagnosing and treatment relating to hearing impairment, vestibular disorders, tinnitus and communication issues relating to speech.
WHAT WERE THE MAJOR CHALLENGES OF ESTABLISHING YOUR COMPANY?
The main challenge was that I didn’t have a business background. My background was in science. I was trained as an audiologist but to run a business, you need to be business-minded, which I wasn’t. I hate numbers. But business is all about numbers, business strategy, marketing etc. So it was quite a struggle at first. I joined many accelerator programmes to learn how to do business. I also learnt through trial and error. After three years of this, I think I can now call myself a proper business person.
BESIDES EARTISTIC, YOU’RE DOING SOMETHING ONLINE AND WITH AN APP AS WELL. WHAT’S THAT ABOUT?
We have an online tool called i-Richment that parents and teachers can use to help children with speech and language-delayed issues.
We also have an app in development. Currently, we have three programmes developed by three speech therapists who cover different areas of delayed speech. They are (i) hearing impaired (ii) mild autism and other mild delays (iii) non-verbal children with late intervention such as cerebral palsy and severe autism.
DO YOU HAVE TO TRAVEL A LOT TO STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH THE WORLD OF AUDIOLOGY?
Yes, definitely. I travel almost five times a year to attend audiology events, seminars, etc. But with my newborn baby, I may have to reduce my travelling this year. I need to spend more time with the family.
HOW COMMON IS HEARING IMPAIRMENT?
Essentially, all of us will experience some kind of hearing impairment. Unless we live in a vacuum, we all will have some degree of hearing impairment. For example, although I may not appear to have any hearing issues when it comes to normal speech but due to my earlier exposure to jamming sessions with my band, I have developed hearing impairment at the ultra-high frequencies of sound.
WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE WAYS PEOPLE CAN AVOID HEARING IMPAIRMENT?
Turn down the source of the loud sound. If that can’t be done, move away from it. And if that can’t be done, wear some hearing protection.
WHAT ARE THE TOP THREE THINGS THAT PEOPLE DON’T REALISE ABOUT THE EAR?
Firstly, you do not need to clean wax out of your ears unless you have an abnormal condition. Ears naturally push excess wax out as needed. Secondly, your ears never stop hearing even when you sleep. Your brain just ignores incoming sound. Thirdly, ears are more than just necessary for hearing, they also help you keep your balance.
IS THERE ANY KIND OF FOOD THAT’S GOOD FOR THE EAR?
Eat a lot of fish, take food that contains antioxidants, and perhaps take some magnesium supplements.