We would like to introduce you to the newest addition to Hear4U: Poppy Knott! She is only sixteen years old and has already embarked on an exciting career path. Poppy is a Customer Service Practitioner Apprentice at Hear4U and is on a 4-year development plan to become an audiologist!
She will spend the first year of the programme as a customer service practitioner and the second as a hearing care assistant. During the third and fourth one Poppy will be a trainee audiologist on a two-year plan with De Montfort University in Leicester!
Career Path: Year 1 - Customer Service Practitioner
The first year, spent as a customer service practitioner, will include 20% of her working week to her qualification. She will be performing reception duties-opening and closing the shop when required-alongside administrative tasks and customer support.
Customer Support may involve answering questions about products and services or giving information about office hours.
Career Path: Year 2 - Hearing Care Assistant
The second year will involve training to become a hearing care assistant, including earwax removal procedures through our sister company, Healthcare Professional Institute.
This will also involve procedures related to hearing aids maintenance, e.g., tube and receiver changes or discovering potential faults with the device.
Career Path: Year 3 and 4 - Trainee Audiologist
The final two years will involve audiology training at De Montfort University. Poppy will be mentored by our leading audiologists for two days a week.
This stage includes managing a schedule of hearing-impaired adults, testing for hearing loss, referring patients to medical professionals, and providing structured, patient-focused aftercare.
She will also select, programme, and fit the appropriate hearing aids. Earwax removal procedures will be part of her training during this final phase.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future
From Year 4 onwards, Poppy will be ready to manage her own Hear4U centre as a business development manager!
This is a fantastic example for other young people of the opportunities available to start a fulfilling career in audiology.
Why Audiology as Career Path?
The apprenticeships offered by Hear4U give young people a chance to become fully certified audiologists by the age of 20—a brilliant path to a stable, rewarding career in a fast-developing and promising industry.
The audiology field is professionally gratifying. It offers several job roles and a stimulating work environment, but most importantly, it provides the chance to improve lives by helping people hear and communicate better.
What is more, there has been a progressively growing need for audiological services in the UK. Currently, there are only about 3,000 NHS professionals serving hearing impaired individuals, in addition to the even lower number of private sector audiologists- around 1,000.
Meanwhile, hearing loss is affecting 12 million adults in the UK, with this number expected to jump to 14.2 million by 2035. This has created an environment of extremely high demand and as a result, there has probably never been a more suitable time to embark on a career in audiology.
Are you currently looking to join this rapidly growing field that is full of potential? Find out about the amazing opportunities that we offer at Hear4U! Our team is dynamic, enthusiastic, and supportive and is a major part of the reason behind the fantastic growth we have been experiencing in all our business areas.
If you would like to become part of an ambitious, family-oriented business that is committed to supporting its employees as much as it is committed to professional growth, click here to learn more about the opportunities that we offer!
