Every morning, before Clinical Audiologist Vincent Howard sees a single client, he does one thing without fail: he makes a good, strong cup of coffee. It's a small ritual, but it sets the tone for his day, whether he will be treating a nervous three-year-old, or a sprightly 103-year-old, or anyone in between. Behind every hearing test, every wax removal, and every "I can hear my grandchildren again" moment, there's a routine, a team, and a person who genuinely loves the work. We sat down with Vincent to find out what a typical day looks like for him.
Before the clinic opens
After his morning coffee, Vincent catches up with the other Clinicians and Audiologists, checking in and finding out how their week is going. "It's important we talk through any difficult cases or audiological problems that are ongoing," he explains. "Audiology is always better when you are open to collaboration - two clinical minds on a complex case beats one, every time."
Then it's on to the practical side of things: checking the diary, opening up the clinic room, and confirming that hearing aid deliveries have arrived on time. The couch is sanitised, the microscope, video otoscope and iPads are all set up and ready. This process is ingrained in the daily rhythm of the clinic - as Vincent explains, "Going through my routine to get set up means I’m ready to conduct every appointment to the highest clinical standard, with a positive attitude for all our clients."
A fully booked day
Once the clinic opens, it rarely slows down. "My clinics are always fully booked, or they become fully booked by lunchtime," Vincent says. He can see up to 28 microsuction (ear wax removal) appointments in a day. Or, in the audiology room, up to four hearing tests, or eight hearing aid follow-ups and impression appointments. "Generally, I'm busy with appointments - and I love it that way."
His clients span an extraordinary age range and come from all walks of life; his youngest clients are only three years old, and his eldest is 103! Each appointment, whatever the age or reason, always gets the same attention to detail.
Remembering the person, not just the client
Ask Vincent what he does every day to give clients the best experience and his answer isn't anything clinical, it's personal: "I remember them," he says. "If they're returning and I've seen them before, we pick up from where we left off last time, just like old friends." He keeps track of the details that matter to his clients, an upcoming holiday, a graduation, a birthday, a christening, so that when they come back, he can ask how it went. He believes that "the main thing is to be personal."
That personal touch extends to the clinical side, too. "Not all ear wax removal appointments are conducted in the same manner." For Vincent, every appointment is different, because "everyone is different, and our regular clients can have specific requirements which I enjoy tending to."
Watching people reconnect
For Vincent, the real payoff isn't the appointment itself, it's what happens afterwards: “The stories patients tell at their follow-up appointments about reconnecting with friends and family,” he says. Or, “Re-connecting people with the sounds of life, and then seeing their reaction when they hear their partner’s voice again. Hearing about the social events they're now able to enjoy, and the emotion when they talk about being able to hear their grandchildren properly, or listening to their favourite music."
Vincent’s role has changed over the years, from focusing purely on clinical work to now mentoring the next generation of audiologists at Hearology®: "If anything comes close to witnessing how improved hearing can transform a client’s quality of life, it’s seeing a member of my clinical team develop their skillset and become more confident in their work as a consequence.”
Ready to start your own story?
Every client Vincent sees has their own reason for booking that first appointment, whether that’s wax removal or a hearing test - often after putting it off for far too long. If you've been wondering whether it's time to get your hearing checked, consider this your gentle nudge. The Hearology® Team, and their morning coffees, are ready.
