World Hearing Awareness Month Conclusion - Reflections from the Audika NZ General Manager
3 April 2024: With World Hearing Awareness Month drawing to a close for 2024, we asked our New Zealand General Manager and trained MNZAS Audiologist Michael Severn, what it is about working in the audiology profession he loves so much.
How many years of experience have you had Mike?
16 year’s clinical and Industry experience
What’s your career background?
I’ve worked in a variety of settings including Private Practice Audiology as well as Public Hospital settings. Much of my experience is centred around adult diagnostic and rehabilitation practices, and I love getting to know my clients and helping them along their hearing journey. As part of the NZAS I have previously been involved as a Clinical Examiner for provisional members working their way through their membership requirements. I also served on the NZAS Executive Council for a number of years and was President of the Society in 2014/2015. I am now General Manager of Audika Clinics in NZ.
What are your Career highlights Mike?
Being a volunteer student Audiologist at the 2006 Special Olympics in Christchurch would have to be one of the highlights for me, as it made me realise early on, I’d definitely chosen the right profession. I thoroughly enjoyed working with the athletes and providing hearing health checks, diagnostic tests, and screenings as part of the athlete’s wellness programme.
What do you enjoy most about your role as General Manager?
Being part of a young and dynamic team who are 110% committed to helping those who need our services. Continuing to upskill and undertake further education to advance our knowledge in the field that can be used clinically to provide even better outcomes of our clients. Being involved in an industry where technology is advancing at a rapid pace and seeing the amazing benefits to those who are require hearing device fittings. It’s super rewarding to make such a difference in people’s lives. We are a client-centred workforce and optimise solutions based on the clients individual hearing needs. We also promote and encourage family and significant others to attend clinic appointments to help them understand the some of the challenges and provide support throughout each clients hearing journey.
Have you noticed any trends developing in the last 5 years or so?
Hearing aid technology has improved vastly. Most people find that hearing devices are very easy and comfortable to wear and that they acclimatize to the sound shortly after the fitting appointment. This is a result of hearing aid sound quality, validation through real ear measures, and improvements in tuning ability via manufacturer software, creating a much more comfortable listening experience. These advances are going a long way in helping improve an individual’s ability to hear in a number of listening environments, including background noise and groups of people.
Why is it so important for people to get their hearing checked?
Hearing loss is such as gradual process, and some people don’t realise that their hearing may have declined. Often, individuals with hearing loss do not notice until others around them start commenting that they’re not hearing well. Another sign that hearing loss may be present is the avoidance of social situations or environments with background noise which are often the most problematic for the hearing-impaired person. An initial hearing test could be used as baseline measure to compare any future hearing tests to. We encourage people to have a yearly hearing check as part of our hearing wellness programme.
Final words Mike?
Knowing that I can make a real difference in helping improve another person’s quality of life is what makes me get out of bed and come to work each day! Don’t let changes in your hearing change you. Come into one of our Clinics for a free hearing check, and see how our personalised care can help you, keep being you.
