Using personal experiences to reassure others - Lorna's story

Hi, 👋 I’m Lorna

I’ve recently started working with Specsavers Inverness as an Audiology Practitioner (AP). Here’s a bit about my story:

My own hearing journey started when my mum booked me in for a hearing test with Specsavers. When Covid happened and everyone was wearing masks, it was brought to my and my family's attention that I was struggling to hear. It was through the process at Specsavers that I’d discovered I did have a hearing loss and needed to wear hearing aids.

I was turning 20 at the time so it was a shock and hard to come to terms with. I wanted to hide away from the hearing loss and at the start refused to wear my hearing aids. I was quite sad about the hearing loss and became quite isolated.

Two years on...

I’m now volunteering with charities for people with a hearing loss, raising money for the charities and overall, more confident about the hearing loss. I’m now proud of the community I’m part of and see my hearing loss as a positive thing as I now get to help people. I can make something scary and unknown more positive and reassuring.

Audiology as a career path

It was really this experience that led me to think more about a career in audiology. I felt that I wanted to help other people in a similar situation and use my personal experiences to really empathise with challenges or concerns that new hearing aid users might be feeling.

I emailed into Specsavers Audiology Early Careers team to ask some questions I had about the types of roles available, whether there was something right for me and what I might need to do to get some support. It was Natalie’s support and kindness that really helped me get started in this role and she still supports me today! The support didn’t end though because I relocated for this role and my director was so helpful to make the move as easy as possible for me.

My role as an audiology practitioner

I’m a few weeks into my role as an audiology practitioner and I’m really enjoying it so far. I am learning lots and know there’s lots more to learn! Being a hearing aid user myself, what stood out most to me is how supportive my audiology director is. She really understands me and helps find the best ways for me to learn.

I’ve enjoyed meeting my new team and above all, I feel seen as one of them and not put at a disadvantage because of my hearing loss. If anything, they look to me for help in understanding a patient's point of view!

What’s coming next?

In terms of what the future holds for me now it’s quite hard to say! I’ve recently passed by exam to run wax removal clinics which I am super proud of. But I still want to learn more! I hope to go to Uni and train further. Eventually, I’d love to be in a higher role where I can bring bigger ideas for the audiology team here at Specsavers Inverness.

Audiology can really make a difference, and I want to be part of that change.

To someone considering the role

To anyone who might be thinking about a career in audiology or more specifically a career at Specsavers, if you love making a difference this is for you. It’s a great team filled with inspiration and passion.

Sound interesting?

The trainee audiology practitioner role is an entry-level role with on-the-job training. It could be a great position for anyone with a proven track record in customer service, care or retail and those passionate about offering customers the best service. This role can be either a destination or a stepping stone into a future career in audiology. The sky really is the limit.

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