JUMP TO CONTENT

Haleemah’s Journey into Audiology

Mike Davidson our consultant managing the role
Written by Mike Davidson
Posting date: 18 Nov 2024

Discovering Audiology

Haleemah wasn’t initially aware of audiology until she had to choose a university course. She knew she wanted to work in healthcare but wasn’t sure which path to take. “Audiology is a really niche part of healthcare. I wasn’t really aware of it myself until sort of you have to go to university and sort of decide what you want to do,” she explained. She discovered audiology while exploring university courses and was drawn to its blend of healthcare and technology.

Education and Placement

Haleemah studied at De Montfort University, where she completed a three-year BSc in Audiology. During her second year, she had the opportunity to choose between an NHS placement and an interview with Specsavers. She opted for the Specsavers interview and was placed in Bicester, Oxfordshire, for her placement. “I got the best of both worlds essentially, sort of looking at the NHS also looking at what the private side has to offer”. The placement provided her with essential patient-facing interactions and helped develop skills in explaining different types of hearing aids and how they’re suited to patients. “You never know how you’re going to deal with a situation until you have that patient in front of you,” she emphasised. At University, she helped launch the audiology society which provided some amazing opportunities collaborating with optometry and audiology students. They were also able to attend conferences including Specsavers PAC and the BSHAA roadshow.

 

Working with Specsavers

Haleemah’s placement at Specsavers was a turning point. The potential for career progression solidified her decision to join permanently after her placement. “I just saw how easy it is to progress through sort of the ranks in Specsavers as well,” she noted, highlighting the supportive environment she experienced with Specsavers Bicester.  Specsavers also aligned with Haleemah’s sustainability passions with commitments around sustainability including the ‘Rewear’ range. She’s excited about the future and the possibility of progressing through Specsavers’ Pathway program to become a business owner. 

 

Making a Difference

One of the most rewarding aspects of Haleemah’s job is seeing the immediate impact of her work on patients’ lives. She enjoys witnessing patients’ reactions when they realise how much hearing aids can improve their quality of life. “You see that transformation in the room, sort of from being so isolated to being, ‘Oh, my God, I can hear that now,’” she shared. The transformation from isolation to being able to hear every day sounds is a real source of pride.

 

Advice for Aspiring Audiologists

For those considering a career in audiology, Haleemah emphasises the importance of compassion, empathy, and problem-solving skills. She encourages individuals interested in healthcare, technology, and patient care to explore audiology, highlighting the continuity of care and the satisfaction of helping patients improve their hearing. “If you’re somebody who likes to sort of see a patient through from the beginning to the end, see that final outcome, I’d say audiology is really good for that.,”

Personal Interests

Outside of work, Haleemah is an avid runner and enjoys yoga. She also loves watching series and participating in a running club at work, where she enjoys some friendly competition with her colleagues.  Haleemah’s journey into audiology and her experiences with Specsavers showcase her dedication to patient care and her enthusiasm for the field.

We’re still learning new things about our ears and the technology we use is always advancing. So, it helps if you’re interested in science, curious about the future and love to keep learning. And because hearing loss can leave people feeling disconnected, you’ll also be the kind of person who wants to help.

Get into audiology
Mike Davidson our consultant managing the role
Written by Mike Davidson
List #1

#FeelsLikeSpecsavers

From school leaver to Home Visits Director: Danielle's story

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/22/2025

Summary

From school leaver to Home Visits Director: A career built on care, growth, and support  When Danielle left school in 2005, she wasn’t entirely sure what her future would look like - but she k

Teaser

Read more
"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"I'm passionate that leadership is for everyone!"  In light of Learning at Work Week, Zoe Stebbings, Leadership Development Programme Manager for UK/ROI Retail, tells us about her career journey to

Teaser

Read more
"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"

Teaser

Support Office

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/08/2025

Summary

"It's like watching light bulbs come on!"  During Learning at Work Week 2025, Jenny Clifford, Global Learning Experience Design Lead, tells us why she loves learning and how Specsavers supports her

Teaser

Read more
"I wanted something bigger": Anna-Marie's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

05/02/2025

Summary

Born and raised in England, Anna-Marie moved to Northern Ireland at 18, unsure of her career path. She dabbled in painting and art, but it wasn’t until she took a receptionist role at an independent o

Teaser

Read more
From dispensing optician to being her own boss: Verity's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/28/2025

Summary

Verity's journey from a dedicated dispensing optician to a business owner at Specsavers shines a light on one of the several varied paths a DO (Dispensing Optician) could take with Specsavers. Here,

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Make a difference as a Dispensing Optician at Specsavers

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/14/2025

Summary

Rachel Clarke was seven years old when she decided she wanted to be an optician. Why? Because her ultimate hero, her dad, who knew the answers to every question she ever asked, didn’t know how her

Teaser

Read more
Personal and professional growth: Amy's story

Teaser

Dispensing

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/14/2025

Summary

Amy Griffiths, a dedicated Dispensing Optician at the Swansea Specsavers store, has a life that revolves around her passion for optics and her energetic collie, Aurora. "My life kind of really centres

Teaser

Read more
From Optics to Audiology: Kristi’s journey

Teaser

Audiology

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/09/2025

Summary

Kristi journey from optics to audiology is a reflection of her determination and passion for helping others. Initially working in the Redditch branch of Specsavers, Kristi was intrigued by a career

Teaser

Read more
Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Mike Davidson

by

Mike Davidson

Relocating from Nigeria to the UK: Chidinma's story

Teaser

International Careers

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/08/2025

Summary

A new beginning Chidinma Ulu is an Optometrist who relocated to Bristol from Nigeria back in 2021. She’s excited to share her journey, from her education in Nigeria to becoming a fully qualified Optom

Teaser

Read more
From nervous beginner to confident leader: Katie's story

Teaser

Apprenticeships

Content Type

Blog

Publish date

04/03/2025

Summary

Katie Marshall, Supervisor in our Wellington store, started out as an Optical Assistant Apprentice. From going through some particularly tough times due to health challenges to flourishing in her care

Teaser

Read more
View more jobs
List #1

Selected jobs for you

Insights Knowledge Manager

Salary

up to £63k Dependent on Experience plus bonus and car allowance

Location

Remote

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Marketing, Creative & PR

Locations

Whiteley

Description

Insights Knowledge ManagerUK Do you love turning data into decisions and insights into impact? Do you dream of building something from the ground up that helps teams across the globe truly understand

Reference

sf-81946-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

View job
Optical Assistant Apprentice

Salary

£7.75 per hour

Location

Pudsey, North East, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Optical Assistant Apprenticeship

Locations

Pudsey

Description

Are you a caring individual looking to start your career in an Optics environment? You’ve come to the right place.    As well as being passionate and motivated in everything you do, it’s important tha

Reference

sf-82029-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Elisha Aunger

Author

Elisha Aunger
View job
Domi Hearing Aid Dispenser (Clackton)

Salary

Up to £40k plus £5k welcome bonus

Location

Clacton-on-Sea, East England, United Kingdom

Contract Duration

Permanent

Area of Interest

Audiologist / Hearing Aid Dispenser

Locations

Clacton-on-Sea

Description

Ready to do the right thing by our customers? As a qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD), you’ll share our vision to give customers the very best professional service in their own home, helping them i

Reference

sf-81599-1

Expiry Date

01/01/0001

Kasia Mnich

Author

Kasia Mnich
Kasia Mnich

Author

Kasia Mnich
View job
View more jobs