SEARCH BEGINS TO FIND UK AND IRELAND’S TOP AUDIOLOGISTS
The search has begun for both the UK and Ireland’s best hearing professionals as the 2014 Audiologist of the Year (AOTY) opens for entries. The competition encourages patients to nominate their audiologists who have provided exceptional levels of support and service.
Now in its seventh year, AOTY is run in partnership between Rayovac, the leading hearing aid battery manufacturer and the European Hearing Instrument Manufacturers Association (EHIMA), which represents the six major European hearing instrument manufacturers. Last year saw a very high level of entries for both countries, which is particularly impressive as it was the first year Ireland had participated.
Audiologist of the Year celebrates hearing professionals who have gone above and beyond the call of duty, in order to provide their patients with a level of care which exceeds their expectations. It is a great way for these patients to give back to their audiologist, and say thank you for the great work they’ve done.
The winners of both the UK and Irish stages of the competition will then compete with top audiologists from France, Germany, Austria, Spain, Sweden, the Netherlands and – for the first year – Switzerland, to battle it out for the title of European Audiologist of the Year.
2014’s lucky winner can follow in the footsteps of current European champion, Jaspreet Bahra, from Harley Street Hearing in London. Jaspreet was awarded the UK crown after her patient, Warren Stapely, submitted a heartfelt nomination which wowed judges. Jaspreet was later crowned the European winner, attending Rayovac’s annual Evening of Excellence in Nuremberg, Germany for the announcement.
Paula Brinson-Pyke, Marketing Director at Rayovac, said: “We are thrilled to be opening up entries to the Audiologist of the Year competition for the seventh year running. Each year the calibre of entries just gets better and better, and we thoroughly enjoy reading everyone’s nominations.
“The number of entries and the remarkable stories behind each one, are testament to the passionate, enthusiastic practitioners helping people with hearing loss across Europe, and we’re proud to be able to help showcase and reward such talent.”
On supporting Audiologist of the Year for the first time, Secretary General of the EHIMA, Søren Hougaard, said: “We are very excited to be working with Rayovac and Audio Infos to support the Audiologist of the Year competition for the first time. The competition has grown to be a phenomenal success and one we’re proud to support and promote to our members so it can continue to get even bigger and better.”
The winning professional will be awarded the prestigious title of Audiologist of the Year along with a trophy and cash prize. Alongside this, the winner’s nominating patient will also be eligible for a cash prize and a package of electrical goods.
The Audiologist of the Year competition, which began in 2008, is the leading industry award for hearing professionals and is judged by a panel of independent industry experts. All nominations are scored anonymously, with judges looking for audiologists which demonstrate:
· Outstanding commitment to the patient
· Support for the patient and family
· Making a difference to the patient’s life
· Knowledge about new technologies
· Working closely with other specialists, providing a team approach
· Working within the community/industry to raise awareness of hearing matters
Entries can be submitted online at www.audiologistoftheyear.eu or via post to Audiologist of the Year 2014, Spectrum Brands (UK) Ltd, Washington, Tyne & Wear, NE37 3HW. Entries close on 11th July 2014. All nominations must be submitted by patients, but audiologists can ensure their patients are aware of the competition by downloading promotional materials from the competition website.
For more information about the competition, visit www.audiologistoftheyear.eu, like Rayovac on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HearingwithRayovac or follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/HearwithRayovac.
