I graduated from UCL with a degree in Audiology BSc (Hons) in 2009 and began my career as an Audiologist with Croydon Hearing Resource Centre. I have since worked in private clinics and various NHS trusts including Guy’s and St Thomas’ hospital and Birmingham Women and Children’s hospital.
I am competent in Adult and paediatric Audiology, which involves performing diagnostic hearing assessments, interpreting test results, programming and fitting digital hearing aids and repair faulty ones.
Another part of my role involves providing one-to-one aural rehabilitation to patients who have additional needs and require extra support with managing their hearing aids and acclimatising to new sounds. This is often challenging but exceptionally rewarding. When working in busy ENT clinics, I have the opportunity to discuss more complex cases with ENT consultants and nurses and also contribute to patient treatment/ care plans.
I have spent some time volunteering in a Tanzanian hospital where I was given the opportunity to work with ENT consultants and also support Audiology teams and through an exchange of ideas and clinical practices, we were able to further developing their Paediatric Audiology services. I was fortunate to be volunteering at a time when the first cohort of children implanted with cochlear implants in Tanzania were in the process of having their implants programmed. I was able offer clinical support and observed the children’s introduction to a world of sound. In between cochlear implant sessions and audiology clinics, I was able to complete just under 300 hearing assessments and service approximately 200 hearing aids for a hearing impaired school….. in three weeks.
I have also volunteered in main stream UK secondary and primary schools for hearing impaired where I developed my skill in British Sign Language. This experience inspired me pursue a teaching diploma which I immediately put to use, working and volunteering part time in main stream secondary and primary hearing impaired units.
Although very satisfied and successful in my roles, I decided to explore other avenues within Audiology as I wanted to expand/widen my skill set. After doing some research, I decided to train in ear wax removal using microsuction, irrigation and/or instrumentation. I thoroughly enjoy this part of my job and now dedicate most of my working week to extracting ear wax (and other things) and offering advice on aural hygiene.
I absolutely enjoy working with people and their ears, large or small, aided or unaided, with or without ear wax.
Availability: Alternate Thursday afternoons
Qualifications:
BSc (Hons) Audiology – University College London, HCPC, BSHAA
Teaching
Irrigation
Microsuction