The story so far
Fairfield Hearing represents a return to what we love most - helping clients enhance their lives through better hearing.
Creating a legacy of personalised care, innovation and improved hearing.
At Fairfield Hearing, our journey to personalised hearing healthcare is deeply rooted in family tradition, innovation, and a genuine commitment to improving lives through better hearing.
Our story unfolds across generations, beginning with the pioneering spirit of David Fairfield, a visionary audiologist who set the stage for compassionate care and technological advancement.
David Fairfield's vision
Hearing healthcare has been a family vocation for us. David Fairfield, Stephen’s father and a dedicated audiologist, embarked on his career journey as an optician at Ingram Opticians in Southampton. However, his passion for improving the lives of those with hearing challenges led him to transition from spectacles to hearing aids during the 1950s.
A true trailblazer in hearing healthcare, David was at the forefront of innovation during the elementary days of the transistor, a ground-breaking technology that replaced vacuum tubes in hearing aids.
In 1969, he moved to Scotland to establish the Edinburgh branch of a nationwide audiology firm, becoming instrumental in the prescription of hearing aids with microprocessor and multi-channel amplitude compression technology.
Driven by both scientific curiosity and a commitment to compassionate care, David's ethos centred on treating others as he would want to be treated. This principle, which resonates as excellent customer service today, continues to shape our relationships with clients, employees, and suppliers.
In 1974, David acquired the Edinburgh branch, gaining independence as an audiologist. This autonomy allowed him to dedicate time to working with deaf children in the Scottish Borders, reflecting his unwavering dedication to serving the community.
Handing over the baton
In 1989, Stephen Fairfield, following in his father's footsteps, qualified in clinical audiology from Manchester University and joined the firm as a junior audiologist. This period marked a pivotal transition from high-speed processors and microcomputers to the advent of all-digital hearing technology.
Taking on the baton in 2000, Stephen oversaw the growth of the business to become the largest independent audiologists is Scotland, with branches in Edinburgh, Galashiels, St Andrews, Perth, and Glasgow, and even extending south of the border in Morpeth.
Stephen’s sister, Ruth Proteus, a qualified aural care practitioner, joined the business, leaving her NHS position to contribute to our shared vision.
As technology advanced, the business continued to provide the latest in hearing aid technology, embracing innovations like Bluetooth-enabled devices and 'virtually invisible' completely in-the-ear hearing aids.
Renewed focus on improved hearing: Fairfield Hearing
In 2016, Stephen sold the business but remained to support its continued growth.
However, his passion for personalised care and a commitment to clients led to a realisation - growth shouldn't compromise the quality of service. In 2019, Stephen and Ruth made the decision to leave the company they and their father had grown, to establish Fairfield Hearing, reigniting their focus on providing personalised hearing healthcare.
Personalised hearing healthcare in a modern setting
Fairfield Hearing represents a return to what we love most - helping clients enhance their lives through improved hearing. As a family firm once again, we prioritise offering personalised hearing healthcare in our state-of-the-art clinics or through home visits, coupled with the timeless value of exceptional personal service.
Our Edinburgh clinics stand as a testament to our father’s legacy, combining innovation with a commitment to individualised care.
Regulation
Fairfield Hearing is regulated by the Health Care Professions Council. We are members of the British Society of Hearing Aid Audiologists and the Association of Independent Hearing Healthcare Practitioners.