Bucks audiologist wins prestigious international award.

Audiologist Paula Cook, who works at Aston Hearing in Buckinghamshire, was awarded Audiologist of the year 2019 UK then went on to win the European title.

Paula was nominated by her client, Heather Cooper, who now resides in Turkey.

The team at Aston Hearing helped Heather who had suffered with hearing loss for 17 years, but Paula became particularly close to the client when she arranged to go to Turkey for her summer holiday near Heather, as her friend was struggling with hearing loss.

Paula took her audiology equipment with her and fitted the friend Dora with hearing aids.

Heather said: “Paula was so kind and appreciated that Dora would find the introduction of sound at this stage of her life quite daunting, having very poor hearing for the past 25 years.

“We took it slowly, but all our fears diminished as soon as she fitted the hearing aids to Dora – her face broke into the biggest smile I have ever seen.

“Then came the tears and emotions from all of us when Dora said to us that she could finally hear the sea. “I feel that I’ve been born again” she said.

“Paula had another surprise and presented me with a new pair of hearing aids too – the same as Dora’s, so we were both able to support each other and finally communicate well with our new aids.”

Paula became heavily involved in audiology following her two children having severe hearing loss.

As she was such a regular in the department, constantly ensuring her children were receiving the best care, the audiology department offered her a job which began her successful career.

The annual competition which Paula won is organised by RAYOVAC, a world-leading hearing aid battery manufacturer.

Now in its twelfth year, the competition honours the top hearing professional in each participating country, nominated by their patients, who have received excellent levels of support, service and care from their audiologist.

Regarding the win Paula said: “This is completely surreal for me. I was shocked to be nominated and then to be chosen for the award.

“When I received the devastating news of Ellen and Michael’s diagnosis (her children), I could never have imagined the path it would have taken us all on, but when I received the news about the award I was with Ellen and Michael and it felt like the award was for the three of us.

“To have happened upon a career that has become my passion and calling is a privilege.”

For updates on this year’s Audiologist of the Year competition, visit www.audiologistoftheyear.eu.