“Becoming one of the first Audiology Home Visits Partners was such a privilege.”

Lynne has been with Specsavers for over 20 years – starting out as an Optical Assistant and growing her career to become one of the first to become an Audiology Director, for Specsavers Edinburgh Home Visits team. We spoke with her about the route she’s taken into Home Visits and why she enjoys it so much.

The chance to keep growing

“When I was first approached about the role, I was working as a Store Manager and a Dispensing Optician, and I’d just qualified as a Hearing Aid Dispenser (HAD). I was only getting to do the HAD role one day a week and it didn’t feel like enough. I’d already completed the pathway to partnership and Institute of Leadership and Management training, so I was ready for my next challenge. My director didn’t want to lose me, so he found an opportunity for me to become an Audiology Home Visits Partner. I didn't really know much about Home Visits, so I tried a shadow day and loved it. I interviewed and got the role, and then I learned that I would be one of the first Audiology Home Visits Partners. It was such a huge privilege.”

It's different to being in store

“One day I’ll be in the office, scheduling the next three months in with the Customer Service Partner and the office manager. The next I’ll be out on clinic – driving anywhere from the coastal routes to Edinburgh city centre. My role involves everything you’d do in store – wax removal, hearing tests, and I’m a supervisor too. I look after several people, including a HAD student and a trainee audiology practitioner. It feels like it's come full circle for me – my director gave me the opportunity to grow and now I’m supporting others to do the same. And with such a great team around me, both in the office and out on the road, I don’t ever feel alone.”

A sense of freedom and flexibility

“We cover a huge area – so there’s a lot of driving and you have to be comfortable with that. It’s beautiful out on the road though and offers you time to breath and think between appointments. It’s very flexible too. As long as you see all your patients within the day, you can choose when you start. For me, I have to do school drop-off, so I’m never usually with my first patient before 9.30am. I also don’t work weekends and I rarely work into the evening, unless I have referrals or planning to do.”

Every visit makes a difference

“The thing I enjoy most is that you see the difference you make. We visit our patients two or three times a year and as you build a relationship with them, you see the change that happens over time. Every single person has a different story to tell. Getting a hearing aid might mean they can go to a coffee shop with friends again, or simply feel safe in their own home because they can hear the doorbell when someone rings. Many of the people we visit feel lonely or isolated, so it’s heartwarming to know you can make a difference to their day, as well as their hearing.”

A great opportunity for the right person

“If you’re empathetic and a people-person, then I would definitely say becoming a Home Visits Partner could be a great move for you. I recommend going out on a shadow day to see what it's really like. It's so rewarding. You’ll put a lot into it, but you’ll get so much back. Not just in terms of the flexibility and work/life balance, but in seeing the difference that you make every single day.”