Kingsbridge Hearing Care would like to welcome our new Audiologist, Caroline Fenning to the team. Caroline will be working from our new Donaghadee clinic so to find out a bit more about Caroline, we have complied a fun Q&A.
I come from a retail background, having various roles but ultimately ending up in management in a private sector Opticians. From there, I moved into hearing care, gaining my Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology in 2021.
What was your favourite subject at school?
I loved English Literature and continue to love reading.
Did you go on to further/higher education, if so, what did you study and where?
I completed an undergraduate degree in Modern History and Politics at Queen’s University Belfast, followed by a Masters in Modern History. I then went back to Aston University, Birmingham to complete my Foundation Degree in Hearing Aid Audiology.
How did you get into your area of work?
While working in my role as an assistant manager in optics, I worked closely with the hearing care team and was always impressed by how they made such a difference to customers lives through helping them hear better. When the opportunity came up to join them and learn about dispensing hearing aids, I jumped at the chance to gain knowledge in a completely different field from what I was used to.
Is this what you always wanted to do?
No, I originally wanted to teach secondary education.
What does a typical day entail?
My day as an Audiologist can be very varied. My day will be filled with completing hearing assessments and recommending a solution that is appropriate for the patient, whether that be assessing the health of the ears and the best next steps or if a hearing solution would be appropriate. I also complete fitting appointments, spending time making sure clients get a great fitting device based on their results and helping them care and learn about their hearing aids. I’ll also, service and review the hearing aids to ensure clients are getting the most out of their devices. So as you can imagine, no two days are the same!
What are the best and most challenging aspects of the job?
Without a doubt, the best part of the job is spending time getting to know my patients, what their main hearing difficulties are and what matters to them most when it comes to hearing better. This can sometimes be challenging, as I also have to manage people’s expectations but seeing a patients face light up when they hear a family members voice clearly or even their favourite song again, never gets old.
What advice would you give anyone looking to follow a similar career path?
Go for it! It’s such a satisfying feeling knowing you’ve helped someone hear better than they ever had before. It’s hard work but it was the best decision I ever made.
If you weren’t doing this, what would you like to do?
Probably working within an Opticians.
What is one piece of advice you would give yourself on your first day?
Remember how much you’ve learned and to take it one day at a time.
Describe your ideal day off?
A good hike in the Mourne Mountains followed by a nice meal out.
Pizza or Chinese?
Pizza
Tipple of teetotal?
A wee tipple
Gym or swim?
Gym
Cinema or theatre?
Oh, that’s a hard one… probably the cinema as I can’t resist popcorn!
Car or bus?
Car
Shopping centre or city centre?
City centre
Crisps or nuts?
Crisps
Summer or winter?
Summer
If you have a concern or would like to get in touch with Caroline to arrange an appointment at Kingsbridge Hearing Care, please contact 028 9188 4188 or you can fill out our Online Enquiry Form