The Experiences of a Young Practitioner

Young and Resolute.

A career in the hearing health sector was not initially at the forefront of my mind, but I must say it's one that I now deeply cherish. Being a young practitioner is both daunting and rewarding. Even before embarking on the course, one understands the profound impact they'll have on vulnerable individuals, influencing something intrinsic to their nature, culture, and life experience—their hearing.

The decision to pursue this path, much like others, was influenced by my own family. Our independent family clinic provided my first glimpse into how the hearing sector could transform lives. For most young professionals like myself, the aspiration was seeded by being involved, at some level, in a clinic setting, experiencing first-hand the power of technology, sound, and communication.

My return to study was both challenging and rewarding. OTEN pushed me to work diligently and strive for professional competence. I connected with lecturers, created media relating to hearing, grew comfortable completing paperwork, and worked alongside a certified hearing professional for extended hours. It was within this clinical environment that my knowledge was tested, and skills sharpened. Success demanded comfort in the deep, not always knowing, but always willing to learn. For example, during my training, I found ipsilateral and contralateral stapedius responses challenging to wrap my head around. I watched my mentor test these responses and interpret the results seamlessly. I wanted to strive for excellence and not merely brush aside areas of weakness, so I spent time over the next week pouring over textbooks and watching YouTube videos about the entire process. Wanting to put what I had learned into practice, I then performed stapedius response testing and interpreted the results under the guidance of my mentor, and found I had become proficient at the entire process. My effort had yielded fruit.

After completing the diploma and successfully navigating HAASA's (Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia) rigorous final competency examinations, I was granted the title of Qualified Practitioner, finally able to practice under my QP number. It was then that the fragments of my future began to coalesce.

The clinic environment proved increasingly challenging post-qualification. While I had earned my title, utilizing it effectively was another matter entirely. Understanding the intricacies of the hearing services program item numbers proved more challenging than anticipated. However, with perseverance and consistency, I grew to be proficient with the HSP system. As a young professional, you quickly realise the trust you are instilled with. Patients trust us. They trust us to keep them aware, to keep them laughing in those conversations with friends, and to help them hear in those intimate family moments.

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I have vivid memories of my first solo patient encounter. As I picked up their file and walked to call them out, nerves flooded my body and my mind filled with doubts: "What if they doubt my abilities?", "What if I make a mistake?", "Will they think I'm too young and inexperienced?". At that moment, I reminded myself to take a deep breath and trust my training. Being personable, empathetic, and understanding the patient's concerns, were paramount. As I listened and recorded their audiological and medical history, the nerves began to fade away. I was doing what I loved. When their audiogram demonstrated a hearing loss, the nerves picked up again. Now, I had to prescribe a hearing aid. The hearing aid would need to be selected carefully to fit within their category of hearing loss and I would need to consider the gain, the venting, the style and so much more. I took my time with the process and double-checked my order. I was thorough and that paid off - the patient was ecstatic with the make and fit of their hearing aid.

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Not long after my first patient, I encountered one of the most challenging cases of my career. A young girl arrived with her parents, neither of whom had hearing difficulties. They had assumed their daughter's slow learning pace was due to a minor illness, but the reality was much more concerning. After conducting an audiological examination, I delivered the unexpected news: their daughter had a bilateral low to high tone, mild to moderately severe sensorineural hearing loss, possibly congenital. The hardest part wasn't deciphering the results but rather breaking the news to the hopeful parents. Tears streamed down the mother's face as the father embraced his daughter and wife. It was a heart-wrenching moment. I gently explained the potential need for binaural amplification and reassured them that advancements in hearing device technology could greatly improve their daughter's quality of life.

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Sincerity was crucial in guiding them through this daunting revelation, helping them gradually accept this new reality. I also ensured their general practitioner was informed and a referral to the ENT specialist was encouraged. It was a difficult experience, but one that underscored the importance of empathy and effective communication in providing care. On a lighter note, I was always good with my hands, so taking impressions felt like second nature to me! There's something incredibly satisfying about getting that perfect, flawless impression with hardly any faults, especially getting it past that tricky second bend and sliding it out of the patient's ear like a dream! There is not one patient I've had that was not impressed by their own impression!

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Another skill I learned quite quickly was cerumen management or extraction. To me, becoming adept at wax removal was a simple way I could provide my patients with immediate relief of their hearing loss or sensation of aural fullness. I’m pleased and humbled to say that GPs and ENTs have begun referring their patients to me for cerumen management.

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Overall, seeing a patient beam with joy for the first time after I test and fit them with a new device is a feeling I can’t forget. Motivated by this, I am committed to continuously expanding my knowledge and honing my skills. HAASA has been instrumental in facilitating this growth through CPED days and conferences, where I have the opportunity to again transition momentarily into the role of a student. These events allow me to ask questions, engage with experts, and gain a deeper understanding of the current and future landscape of the hearing world.

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The hearing sector offers vast opportunities for young professionals with daily advancements in hearing aid technology and ongoing research empowering us to make increasingly informed decisions with each passing moment. Now more than ever, patients require our assistance as hearing impairment is projected to double to 7.8 million by 2060 with Australia’s ageing population (1). As young professionals, we infuse a youthful freshness into our work that brightens patient experience - especially when they are coming to terms with having a hearing loss and when they are learning new hearing aid technology.

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While young clinicians may not carry clinical experience, they readily grasp new technology and apply it effectively to their patient's care. Throughout my career as a hearing healthcare professional, I've had the privilege of connecting with hundreds, if not thousands, of genuine people. They not only seek competent hearing care but also someone they can connect with and depend on. The profound joy of seeing a patient walk into the clinic unsettled and leave beaming is what makes the hearing sector more than just rewarding — it's a calling that I am honoured to pursue.

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1. Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care (2023) About ear health, Australian

Government Department of Health and Aged Care. Available at: https://www.health.gov.au/topics/ear[1]health/about (Accessed: 14 March 2024)

Hearing Aid Audiology Society of Australia Ltd. Australian Hearing & Balance Centre National Acoustic Laboratories Starkey Hearing Bernafon 澳大利亚专科技术学院 Western Sydney University Australian Government Department of Health and Aged Care

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