Fairfield Hearing celebrates Sophie Halliday becoming a qualified hearing aid dispenser

Fairfield Hearing is thrilled to announce that Sophie Halliday, who has been part of the team since 2022 as a trainee audiologist, has now officially qualified as a fully-fledged Hearing Aid Dispenser. Sophie's journey into the profession has been one of dedication, resilience and a true passion for helping others.

Sophie’s path into audiology began with her longstanding interest in healthcare and a desire to make a meaningful difference in people’s lives.

While researching healthcare careers, she discovered audiology and was immediately drawn to how it combines scientific knowledge with hands-on patient care.

“The idea of improving someone’s quality of life by helping them hear better really resonated with me,” Sophie shares. “It’s incredibly rewarding to see how even small changes in hearing can transform someone’s confidence and daily life.”

Balancing her university studies with work at Fairfield Hearing, Sophie navigated a mix of online and in-person learning, developing crucial time-management skills along the way.

“It taught me so much about discipline and staying organised,” she says. “Being able to apply what I was learning in real time at the clinic really cemented my knowledge and gave me confidence.”

During her studies, Sophie discovered a particular passion for the counselling aspect of audiology, supporting patients not only technically but also emotionally and psychologically as they adapt to hearing loss.

“Helping someone adjust to hearing loss and manage their expectations is such an important part of what we do,” she explains. “It’s about creating a safe space where patients feel heard and understood, and empowering them to take control of their hearing health.”

Now stepping into her role as a qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser, Sophie is excited about taking on more responsibility and bringing fresh energy and ideas to the team.

She’s especially interested in exploring advanced hearing solutions like bone-anchored hearing aids and cochlear implants, technologies that can significantly change lives.

“Modern hearing technology is incredible,” Sophie says. “It’s amazing how discreet and intelligent hearing devices have become. I’m looking forward to helping patients feel comfortable and confident using the latest technology.”

Sophie also hopes to use her role to engage with the local community and raise awareness about the importance of early hearing care.

“I’d love to get involved in outreach events, offer free hearing checks and help educate people about hearing health,” she says. “Hearing checks should be as normal as going to the dentist or the optician. The earlier people come in, the better the outcomes.”

Outside of audiology, Sophie enjoys staying active – she is currently training for the Amsterdam marathon in October –  and spending time with her close-knit family and church community.

Her personal experiences supporting loved ones with hearing loss have fuelled her determination to help others. “Seeing how hearing loss affected people close to me, and how much better their lives became once they sought help, inspired me to pursue this career,” she says.

Fairfield Hearing congratulates Sophie on her significant achievement and is excited about the energy, compassion and expertise she will continue to bring to the practice.

“Sophie has been an invaluable part of our team as a trainee,” says Stephen, founder of Fairfield Hearing. “We’re incredibly proud of her hard work and look forward to seeing her grow even further as a qualified Hearing Aid Dispenser. She will be a fantastic asset to both our patients and our community.”